The indefinite postponement of a referendum on Iraqi Kurdistan’s controversial draft constitution just days after a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has given rise to speculation that Washington may have played a role in the delay. Despite initial expectations that the charter would be put to a vote on Jul. 25 amid Kurdish …
Continue reading “Kurds Caught Up in Biden’s Diplomatic Offensive”
Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2009
At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 69 more were wounded on what would have been a quiet day if not for a bombing in Ramadi. The bombing and an unrelated arrest in another Anbar city may signal that the quiet province could once again see regular violence from Sunni militias.
Anthony Shadid has, without a doubt, been the finest American mainstream journalist to cover Iraq in the period after the 2003 invasion. He’s now back in Baghdad for the Washington Post, telling the saddest story of all (“In the City of Cement“). Here’s part of what he wrote just after American troops largely withdrew to …
Continue reading “The Remaking of Iraq”
Updated at 11:25 p.m. EDT July 14, 2009
Vehicle bans continued in Christian areas of Ninewa province. Across the country however, at least 10 Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded. One of the victims may have been dead since the Iran-Iraq War. Meanwhile, several legal cases are winding their way through Spanish, British, and even U.S. military courts. Also, one U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries yesterday in Baghdad.
Updated at 10:55 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2009
Iraq increased security after a spate of attacks against Christians and ahead of a major Shi’ite religious observance. At least three Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in the latest violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but seven U.S. soldiers were injured in Sharqat.
The Iraqi army chief of staff, Gen. Babaker B. Shawkat Zebari, said attacks in Iraq could continue for years after the U.S. pullout in 2011. Meanwhile, Iraqi lawmaker Hanin al-Qadu, who represents Iraq’s Shabak minority in parliament, blamed Kurd militants for recent bombings in northern Iraq. At least nine Iraqis were killed and 30 more were wounded in today’s various attacks.
Updated at 6:05 p.m. EDT, July, 11, 2009
At least 18 Iraqis were killed and 82 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reiterated his call to change the constitution so that the central government increases its share of power. Also, two journalists groups are decrying abuses against journalists.
Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2009
The prayer day started out quietly. Only four Iraqi deaths were reported in the early hours, and another five Iraqis were wounded. The break in attacks comes only a day after the worst violence since the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities; however, a U.S. soldier killed an Iraqi civilian on a rural highway. No Coalition deaths were reported, but the mother of a British soldier who died in a Land Rover accident won the right to a legal review of the vehicle’s use. In Baghdad, a parliamentary meeting will be held to determine the reasons behind a delay implementing an amnesty law for Iraqi detainees. Also, the Iraqi soccer team won it’s first home game since 2002.
Michael Schwartz on the Obama Doctrine
Updated at 11:42 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2009
The string of blasts that vexed Ninewa province yesterday continued with a major strike on the city of Tal Afar today. Overall, at least 60 Iraqis were killed and 172 more were wounded across Iraq. A U.S. soldier was found dead at a U.S. facility. In political news, U.S forces released five Iranian diplomats who were detained on suspicion of aiding local militants in Arbil. Also, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for restraint from the Kurdish Regional Government.
