Updated at 11:15 p.m. EDT, Apr. 30, 2009
At least 73 Iraqis were killed and 116 more were wounded in violent attacks. Sadr City and Baghdad suffered the lion’s share of casualties, but as is the norm after such dramatic bombings, reports flooded in from other parts of Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported, but a U.S. soldier was wounded in Kirkuk when gunmen attack a patrol handing out grants.
Only one Iraqi death was reported on an otherwise busy news day. In Baghdad, officials are demanding an apology from U.S. forces over a botched raid in Kut. Meanwhile, the only confirmation of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi appears to be his picture. Also, a number of people celebrated what would have been Saddam Hussein’s 72nd birthday. There is also a possible loss of life in a bomb blast involving U.S. troops near Baquba.
Updated at 6:19 p.m. EDT, April, 26, 2009
Some Iraqi politicians are demanding that U.S. soldiers involved in a deadly raid yesterday be tried in Iraqi courts. Otherwise, the day remained rather quiet in Iraq. Only four Iraqis were reported killed and 10 more were wounded. Meanwhile, the Iraqi archbishop condemned yesterday’s attacks on Christians in Mosul as religious terrorism. Also, the Commission on Wartime Contracting uncovered alarming security problems involving Ugandan and other African troops at U.S. bases in Iraq.
Updated at 7:58 p.m. EDT, Apr. 16, 2009
At least 17 Iraqis were killed and 8 were wounded in the latest violence. U.S. forces conducted a pair of raids in different parts of Iraq. One of the raids has the potential for blowing up politically as the Iraqi’s are calling it a violation of a security pact between the U.S. and Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported.
Updated at 5:25 p.m. EDT, Apr. 25, 2009
At least 15 Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Although no significant blasts took place today, security forces were busy at work defusing bombs. One American soldier was killed in combat but no details were given.
Updated at 8:36 p.m. EDT, Apr. 24, 2009
A second day of bomb attacks left more than 93 killed and another 163 wounded. Again, a significant number of the dead were Iranian pilgrims visiting shrines in Iraq. Elsewhere, a U.S. soldier died in a non-combat incident. Meanwhile, the arrest of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi remains unconfirmed.
Updated at 8:40 p.m. EDT, Apr. 23, 2009
At least 96 people were killed and 157 more were wounded, mostly in two significant suicide-bombing attacks. Over 50 of the dead and about 77 of the wounded are believed to be Iranian pilgrims. This came on the same day that Iran and Iraq announced a oil deal. The DoD reported the death of a Marine from non-combat causes in Anbar. Meanwhile, the A.P. has learned that 87,000 Iraqis have “officially” died in violent attacks since 2005. Also, one of the most wanted al-Qaeda figures, whether he actually exists or not, has been reported captured.
Updated at 7:25 p.m. EDT, Apr. 22, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 30 more were wounded in the latest violence. A U.S. soldier was killed while on patrol in Baghdad. Meanwhile, the U.N. delivered a report on Kirkuk to the Iraqi government, while the U.S. Senate confirmed Christopher Hill to be the next ambassador.
Updated at 10:25 p.m. EDT, Apr. 21, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in unusually light violence. Over 100 more were arrested across the country. Meanwhile, Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari is in Iraq for the first high-level visit by that country’s leader in decades. Also, some Iraqis are outraged that controversial Blackwater Worldwide is still providing security in Iraq under a new name. Elsewhere, the United Nations is preparing to release a study on disputed territories.
Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2009
At least 19 Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded across the country. Eight U.S. soldiers were wounded alongside them during a brazen attack in Baquba.
