Updated at 4:33 p.m. EDT, Aug. 21, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 36 were wounded in the latest round of violence. Only one serious bombing was reported, but U.S. soldiers were involved in a shooting that left one Iraqi dead. Four U.S. soldiers were also charged with cruelty and maltreatment of soldiers in their platoon.
Updated at 6:52 p.m. EDT, Aug. 20, 2009
A series of bombings just south of Baghdad in Babel province have killed or wounded over 200 people just a day after a similar series of attacks in Baghdad. Unlike the ones in Baghdad, the blasts did not seem to target government buildings. At least three blasts were reported but reports are sketchy. Overall, at least 40 Iraqis were killed and 223 more were wounded across the country. The holy month of Ramadan begins tomorrow with the sighting of the crescent moon.
Updated at 12:14 p.m. EDT, Aug. 21, 2009
A series of explosions rocked Baghdad, killing at least 101 people and wounding 1,203 more just a day after the Baghdad Operations Command announced a new security plan. Elsewhere in Iraq, at least six Iraqis were killed and 20 more were wounded in other attacks. U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill expressed his disgust while on a visit to Kirkuk. He called the attackers “psychopathic.” Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was killed in combat near Diwaniya.
The other day, President Obama made a speech in which, among other things, he pledged that the U.S. would withdraw from Iraq on schedule. The question is: according to whose schedule? Because shortly after Obama spoke, the Iraqi government announced it wants to hold a referendum in January on whether U.S. forces should leave earlier …
Continue reading “Out Now!”
Six months into Barack Obama’s presidency, the U.S. public’s display of antiwar sentiment has faded to barely a whisper. Despite Obama’s vow to withdraw all combat forces from Iraq before September 2011, he plans to leave up to 50,000 troops in "training and advisory" roles. Meanwhile, nearly 130,000 troops remain in that country and more …
Continue reading “Soldiers Who Just Say No”
Gen. Petraeus is biding his time, says Jeff Huber
Updated at 5:54 p.m. EDT, Aug. 17, 2009
The U.S. Commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, revealed that he’s been in talks with Iraqi and Kurdish officials about deploying U.S. troops to disputed territories in northern Iraq. Meanwhile, at least 23 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in violent attacks across the country. Also, Human Rights Watch has asked the Iraqi government to stop abuse targeting Iraqi homosexuals.
Updated at 5:30 p.m. EDT, Aug. 16, 2009
At least 15 Iraqis were killed and 46 more were wounded in the latest violence. A Shabak leader survived an assassination attempt with light injuries, but his fellow Arab and Kurd councilmembers used the attack to heighten their own rivalry. This complicated situation in the northern provinces has left the country’s planning minister with no choice but to postpone the first full census in over two decades. The fear is that the count could further intensify sectarian tensions ahead of January’s national election.
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in the latest attacks. The recent surge in violence has frightened Iraqis, and they are now worried about next year’s U.S. withdrawal.
Updated at 4:19 p.m. EDT, Aug. 14, 2009
Friday was relatively peaceful for the first time in weeks. The recent surge in attacks has alarmingly included the prayer day as a main target. Last Friday, there were over 400 casualties reported. Only two Iraqis were killed and seven more wounded today. Instead, the break has given greater emphasis to a protest organized by the country’s journalists.
