Tuesday: 3 Americans, 11 Iraqis Killed; 17 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 7:11 p.m. EDT, May 26, 2009 Three Americans were killed during a bombing in Anbar province, while at least 11 Iraqis were also killed and 17 more were wounded in other attacks. Meanwhile, the Iraqi army conducted a raided an NDF party office in Baghdad.

Monday: 9 Iraqis, 1 Syrian Killed; 8 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 7:10 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2009 The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) offered to end a decades long conflict with Turkey if the Turks are willing to negotiate a settlement. At least nine Iraqis were killed, along with a Syrian fighter, and another eight were wounded in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Iyad al-Samarraie said that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has the right to reshuffle or select cabinet ministers in order to implement government programs. Political pressure had prevented Maliki from doing so previously.

Saturday: 1 US Soldier, 2 Americans, 13 Iraqis Killed; 11 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 8:20 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2009 At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in light attacks. One U.S. soldier was killed in a non-combat incident in Baghdad province as well. Also, two American contractors were killed in separate attacks in the Green Zone. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed Sunni ex-detainees for the recent increase in violence and is now rejecting an amnesty law that has allowed thousands of innocent Iraqis to leave jail.

Thursday: 3 US Soldiers, 28 Iraqis Killed; 72 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 7:37 p.m. EDT, May 21, 2009 Three U.S. soldiers were killed in a Baghdad attack that left several more wounded. At least 28 Iraqis were killed as well, and another 72 were wounded in other violence. Among them were several Awakening Council fighters who were killed in Kirkuk. Last night’s bombing in Baghdad’s Shula district may have set off this spate of violence. Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was given a life sentence for the rape of an Iraqi girl and the murder of her and her family.

Wednesday: 43 Iraqis Killed, 79 Wounded

Updated at 4:31 p.m. EDT, May 20, 2009 A major car bombing in the capital interrupted an otherwise quiet day in Iraq. At least 43 Iraqis were reported killed and 79 more were wounded. The only political news came from Diyala where the police chief reiterated the central government’s claims that the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq is in custody and added that the man was also a provincial politician.

Tuesday: 5 Iraqis Killed, 12 Wounded

Updated at 5:39 p.m. EDT, May 19, 2009 At least five Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in today’s violence. Meanwhile, a second Sunni leader was arrested in Diyala province, prompting critics to wonder openly if a security operation there is really a harassment campaign against Awakening Council (Sahwa) members and other Sunni leaders. Also, the Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billstrom spoke with Jordanian Interior Minister Saud al-Qadi on the 500,000 Iraqi refugees living in Jordan.

Monday: 5 Iraqis Killed, 14 Wounded

Updated at 7:17 p.m. EDT, May 18, 2009 At least five Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded in the latest attacks. A man the Iraqi government claims is a top leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq gave a detailed interview to security officials on his alleged operations. Also, Iraq’s Federal Court selected January 30 as the date for the next general elections. These will be the first national elections since late 2005. Meanwhile, a leading politician in Diyala was arrested.

Sunday: 20 Iraqis Killed, 21 Wounded

Updated at 7:28 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2009 At least 20 Iraqis were killed and 21 more were wounded in today’s reported attacks. No Coalition deaths were reported. Despite the shrinking number of attacks, Iraqis still worry if violence will explode after U.S. troops leave Iraqi cities. Meanwhile, security forces continue to arrests dozens of Iraqis in operations around the country. Although there is a need to control violent gunmen, some of those captured in these operations could simply be the victims of harassment.