At least 17 Iraqis and an Egyptian resident were killed in the latest attacks, while 33 more were wounded. Although no new demonstrations reported today, last night Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani gave his support to protesters in a strongly worded statement castigating the government for negligence. Also, Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi reports that two investigative committees are being formed to track down almost $40 billion that has disappeared from the Development Fund for Iraq.
At least five Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded in the latest violence. Demonstrations continue in Baghdad, Basra, and other locations, but today’s hotspot is again Suleimaniya, where demonstrations turned deadly on Thursday. Turmoil throughout the Arab region could halt plans for an Arab League summit scheduled for March. Iraq is looking forward to hosting the summit as evidence of improving conditions there.
Updated at 5:44 p.m. EST, Feb. 17, 2011
Protests took place throughout the country again, while a major bombing took place in Muqdadiya. At least 21 Iraqis were killed in the new violence and protests. Another 100 Iraqis and 10 Iranians were wounded. One U.S. soldier also died, two days ago in a non-combat incident in Baghdad province.
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in new violence, while two mass graves were discovered in Diyala province. Back in Germany, an Iraqi defector codenamed Curveball has admitted to lying about weapons of mass destruction. A lie that lead to the Iraq war.
