At least 10 people were killed and 18 more were wounded in new violence across the country. Meanwhile, followers of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged demonstrations in a number of cities, and the Turkish Prime Minister warned of uniting with Iran against Kurdish rebels.
As many as 20 suspects were arrested today in connection with the murders of 22 Shi’ite men near Nukhaib village in Anbar province on Monday. A large anti-terror unit said to be from neighboring Karbala province traveled secretly to Rutba, which is also in Anbar, to make the arrests.
At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded in new violence. Meanwhile, Turkish delegation is in Iraq, discussing the viability of a cross-border raid against Kurdish rebels.
Almost two-dozen Iraqis were killed in an ambush in Anbar province, where uniformed gunmen attacked two busloads of pilgrims. At least 30 Iraqis were killed and 23 more were wounded in this and other attacks across the country. Meanwhile, the guerilla war between the Kurdistan Workers Party (P.P.K.) and Turkey took another five lives.
Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is asking his followers to cease attacks against U.S. targets until the end of the year when U.S. forces are scheduled to complete their withdrawal from Iraq. According to a statement posted online today, should any Americans remain after Dec. 31, Sadr promises that attacks “will resume with greater vigor.” The goal is to eliminate one significant reason for a troop extension.
The new appeal, however, did not prevent three bombs from blasting a U.S. patrol near Qalat Sikar village in Dhi Qar province. Casualties, if any, were not reported. At least one Iraqi was killed and 13 others were wounded in other violence.
With the impending U.S. withdrawal from Iraq just 16 weeks away, Washington has found itself in need of a new location to house its Predator drones. Not coincidentally, Ankara, which extensively uses information captured with those drones to keep track of Kurdistan Workers Party (P.K.K.) rebels, has offered to let the U.S. base those drones in Turkey. Meanwhile, at least 13 Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in new violence.
Although violence was fairly light today, an escalating border situation involving Iran and Kuwait could spell increasing woes for Iraq. Frustrated Iranian forces resumed cross-border shelling of Iraqi Kurdistan, resulting in the death of one civilian. And, Kuwait detained 11 fisherman who may have strayed into Kuwaiti waters. Overall, eight Iraqis were killed in new violence. Another 20 were injured in what may have been chlorine gas attack.
At least four Iraqis were killed and four others were wounded in light violence. Because of Eid al-Fitr celebrations, reports are scant this week. U.S. troops, meanwhile, reported no deaths during the month of August.
What began as a relatively quiet day was shaken by an evening bombing that left over two dozen casualties in the capital. Most of today’s other attacks were in or near Baghdad as well. Overall, at least six Iraqis were killed and 39 others were wounded.
At least four Iraqis were killed and seven others were wounded in relatively light violence. Fifteen others were injured during a fire in Baghdad, but its cause was not reported, and the fire may have been accidental. Meanwhile, the Eid al-Fitr festival began today, after the sighting of the new moon, but a few hours earlier on the final night of Ramadan, a journalist was beaten in Iraq Kurdistan.
