Updated at 8:49 p.m. EDT, Sept. 20, 2010
Baghdad again saw a number of attacks today, but they were not as deadly as yesterday’s. At least two Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in the new violence. Meanwhile, hundreds of looted artifacts returned to Iraq before being “lost” again were found in a storeroom belonging to the prime minister’s office. Also, several members of parliament attempted to meet in an unofficial capacity but were thwarted by the usual politics.
Updated at 8:22 p.m. EDT, Sept. 19, 2010
An unusually quiet Saturday was followed by a very bloody Sunday in which at least 56 Iraqis were killed and 171 more were wounded. Baghdad again received most of the violence, for which a member of the Iraqi National Alliance blamed al-Qaeda and the political vacuum. Underscoring the unreliability of news accounts from Iraq since many international reporters left, a couple of the attacks that occurred yesterday went unreported until today and Mosul saw very little violence.
At least, four Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in light violence. Two of the deceased died overnight of injuries received in previously reported violence.
Updated at 5:28 p.m. EDT, Sept. 16, 2010
One U.S. soldier was killed and another was wounded while attempting to defuse an explosive device in Balad. Meanwhile, at least 13 Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded in attacks across the country.
Updated at 7:48 p.m. EDT, Sept. 15, 2010
In what may turn out to be the first controversial event of Operation New Dawn, Iraqi and U.S. troops conducted a joint raid that left nearly a dozen civilians dead or wounded. The raid is already stirring up criticism and will likely lead to a drawn-out investigation by the U.S. military. This is the second raid this week in which Americans participated alongside Iraqis despite the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops last month. Overall, at least 24 Iraqis were killed and 29 were wounded there and across Iraq. Two other attacks against U.S. targets left no casualties.
Sarah Shourd, the American hiker arrested and accused of spying after illegally crossing from Iraq to Iran, was released on $500,000 bail. Meanwhile, at least eight Iraqis were killed and six were wounded in unusually light violence.
Thanks to Eid al-Fitr observances, violence seemingly took a holiday. Only four Iraqis were reported killed over the last pair of days. Another 12 were wounded.
Updated at 8:55 p.m. EDT, Sept. 9, 2010
Iraqis are awaiting the sighting of the crescent moon that will mark the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Although security forces are concerned this may trigger an increase in violence, so far attacks have remained light. At least eight Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded.
Updated at 6:26 p.m. EDT, Sept. 8, 2010
As the Eid al-Fitr holiday draws near, small attacks are on the upswing. At least 16 Iraqis were killed and 67 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, the first group of American soldiers deployed under Operation New Dawn have arrived in Iraq.
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in new violence. Meanwhile, the U.S. military admitted that attacks against American troops increased during Ramadan, which ends this week. Also, the long war has destroyed the hopes of many older Iraqi women who are seeking marriage.
