Baghdad OKs Peshmerga Fighters in Diyala Province

About 1300 Peshmerga fighters have been deployed into contested areas of Diyala province, where they will operate in the heavily Kurdish areas of Jalawla, Saidiya, Qara Tappa, and Mandali. Due to increased security concerns, the Kurdish parliament recently voted to redeploy the soldiers even though Diyala is not one of the three provinces that belong to Iraqi Kurdistan. The Peshmerga, so far, have been able to work peacefully alongside Iraqi army troops. Meanwhile, at least 43 Iraqis were killed and eight were wounded across the country.

Thursday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 16 Wounded

At least three Iraqis were killed and 16 more were wounded, but only attacks in Baghdad were reported. Meanwhile, Muslim and Christians leaders met today to show a united front and call for increased protection of religious minorities. Also, at a U.S. State Department press conference, U.S. Adm. Michael Mullen agreed the incursions by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) into northern Turkey must end.