Today is Arbaeen, which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period observed by Shi’ite pilgrims in honor of Hussein bin Ali, the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson. As expected, insurgents staged a major bombing against pilgrims. It alone left about 200 casualties. Overall, at least 71 people were killed and 145 more wounded. It is unknown if any foreigners were among the casualties.
Yesterday, Oil Minister Abdul Karim Luaybi complained that Iraqi Kurdistan is not playing by Baghdad’s rules when it comes to oil sales. Now it is Basra’s turn to criticize the ministry for ignoring its own rules. Local politicians are suing the central government because they were not included in negotiations that lead to a deal between Baghdad and its new partners, Shell and Mitsubishi, in the southern oil fields. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in the latest round of attacks.
Update at 9:01 p.m EST, Nov. 8, 2010
At least 40 people were killed and 130 more were wounded in new violence across Iraq. Two of the deadliest attacks targeted Shi’ite pilgrims near Iraq’s holiest sites. Although figures are inexact, at least 11 Iranian pilgrims were killed and as many as 63 were wounded in those cities alone. The pilgrims were visiting holy sites in Iraq just a week before the Eid al-Adha holiday begins. Meanwhile, Iraqi politicians met in Arbil where they were to have announced a deadlock-breaking deal concerning government formation, but instead bickered over the details until they ultimately agreed to continue discussions tomorrow.
Updated at 11:28 p.m. EDT, June 19, 2010
Violence in Iraq tapered off significantly today, but at least six Iraqis were killed and 16 more wounded in new attacks. Meanwhile, tensions at the Turkish border revved up after more PKK strikes. Also, Iraqiya leader Ayad Allawi said that Iraqi and U.S. sources warned him of assassination attempts. The Department of Defense reported on Thursday’s non-combat death of a U.S. soldier in Mosul as well.
Updated at 7:00 p.m. EST, Jan. 6, 2010 As Iraq celebrated Army Day, which honors the founding of the country’s army 89 years ago, at least nine Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in several incidents. One U.S. soldier died from combat-related injuries while on patrol in Baghdad as well. In the U.K., …
Continue reading “Wednesday: 1 US Soldier, 9 Iraqis Killed; 18 Iraqis Wounded”
At least six Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded in the latest attacks, while demonstrations against recent arrests took place in Mosul. Also, a large number of Saddam exiles returned home.
Updated at 11:35 p.m. EDT, July 19, 2009
A massive war-funding bill, that includes money for operations in Iraq, has left the U.S. congress and is on its way to the White House. Back in Iraq, the country’s U.N. Ambassador, Hamid al-Bayati, said that the security handover from U.S. to Iraqi hands is going smoothly. Meanwhile, seven Iraqis were killed and 11 were wounded in violence across the country. Also, one U.S. soldier was killed in a non-combat incident.
