Updated at 9:30 p.m. EDT, June 18, 2009
Last night, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is launched an investigation into widespread allegations of prisoner abuse in Iraqi jails. A positive resolution to the inquiry could lead to better relations between Sunnis and Shi’ites. Meanwhile, at least seven were killed and 13 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, Iraqi may press Israel for reparations in the 1981 destruction of a nuclear plant.
Updated at 6:55 p.m. EDT, June 17, 2009
At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 10 were wounded in the latest violence. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, an arrest has been made in connection with last week’s prominent murder of a Sunni politician. Back in the U.S., the House passed a $106 billion war-funding bill.
At least one Iraqis was killed and eight more were injured in light violence. A U.S. soldier was killed in an explosion near Samawa as well. Another U.S. soldier was wounded in an I.E.D attack in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Egypt has named its first ambassador to Iraq in four years.
Updated at 3:03 p.m. EDT, June. 15, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in attacks. Meanwhile, prisoners in Iraqi jails are again trying to call attention to mistreatment and other issues. Also, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has authorized an inquiry that will examine errors made during and after the 2003 invasion.
Updated at 8:40 p.m. EDT, June 11, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in recent attacks across central and northern Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported. Also, fighting between Turkey troops and the PKK erupted just across the border in Turkey.
Updated at 7:32 p.m. EDT, June 13, 2009
At least three Iraqis were killed and 11 were injured on a quiet day in Iraq; however two U.S. soldiers were reported killed in separate incidents. Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces said that they are prepared to take over from U.S. troops, but those in Mosul are far from ready. So far 100 bases have been returned to Iraqi authority. Also, two more U.S. contractors were freed pending an investigation into an unknown matter; conflicting reports had the men accused of murder, arms possession or drug offences at various times.
At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 23 others were wounded in the latest violence. One brazen attack left a senior Sunni parliamentarian dead. No Coalition deaths were reported.
In Baghdad, a senior Sunni lawmaker was killed after delivering a sermon at a mosque in Yarmouk. Guards chased the teenage assailant who threw a grenade at his pursuers as they killed him. At least five others killed; one was a bodyguard. Another 12 people were wounded. Harith al-Obeidi had recently assumed leadership of the Iraqi Accord Front, when the former head became speaker of parliament.
Updated at 5:31 p.m. EDT, June 11, 2009
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that attacks could increase as a US pullout date approaches. In today’s violence at least 11 Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded. An American soldier was wounded alongside a number of the Iraqis.
Updated at 10:55 p.m. EDT, June 10, 2009
A rare car bombing at a marketplace in southern Iraq killed and wounded dozens of Iraq civilians. Although reports of large bombings can often mean an increase in reports from throughout Iraq, the rest of the country remained fairly quiet. Overall, at least 39 Iraqis were killed and 80 were wounded in these attacks. In an odd turn, five U.S. contractors accused of murdering a colleague will apparently be set free soon. Also, Turkey and Iraq have signed a military cooperation accord.
Only seven Iraqis were reported wounded in light violence. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has released a Shi’ite militia leader believed responsible for the deaths of U.S. troops, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Iraqis to work together to promote reconciliation.
