With U.S. Withdrawal Looming, Baghdad Asserts Old Goals

With the U.S. military withdrawal less than a month away, the situation with Iranian dissidents livng at Camp Ashraf could be heating up. Meanwhile, the Iraqi oil minister suggested to Kurdistan it either start playing by Baghdad’s rules or become fully independent. Both the residents of Ashraf and the Kurdish govenrment were hoping to resolve their separate issues with Baghdad long before the withdrawal, but with time running out, it seems unlikely. Violence was light. Only six Iraqis were reported killed.

Attacks On Iraq’s Sahwa Fighters Continue

A string of attacks, mostly around Baghdad, left seven Iraqis dead and 25 more wounded. The worst of them occurred just north of the capital at the home of a Sahwa member in Taji. To the east, residents of Camp Ashraf demanded an end to a fuel ban that could endanger them during the winter.

Thursday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 13 Wounded

At least four Iraqis were killed in new attacks, while 13 more were wounded. A Spanish judge will look into the actions of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and three army officers, including the head of the army, in connection with a deadly raid on Camp Ashraf in 2009. Spain claims “universal jurisdiction” in cases of human rights abuses regardless of where the crimes may have taken place.

Sunday: 12 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded

State-run television broadcast Mass last night so that Iraq’s Christians could safely celebrate Easter at home today. Nevertheless, attacks left 12 dead and 28 wounded across the country. At the signing of a prisoner exchange agreement between Iraq and Iran, Justice Minister Hassan al-Shimari reminded those in attendance that the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran would … Continue reading “Sunday: 12 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded”

Sunday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 43 Wounded

At least nine Iraqis were killed and 43 were wounded in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a surprise visit to Baghdad. Also, with a U.S. military withdrawal looming, remaining U.S. diplomats are wondering about their future safety.