At least five Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Two U.S. servicemembers were wounded as well, during a raid in Anbar province that netted a suspected explosives expert. Military officials, meanwhile, pondered the long term abilities of the Iraqi air force. Also, a Navy SEAL was cleared of charges in a detainee abuse case.
The confirmation of the deaths of two al-Qaeda figures on the U.S. most wanted list outweighed even the revelation of a secret Iraqi prison where hundreds of Sunni men may have tortured and the recount of votes from the national election. Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in other attacks. Also, a U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries in Basra.
An old mass grave believed to contain 14 al-Qaeda victims was unearthed near Samarra. Meanwhile, the formation of the new government is slowly plowing ahead as the Iraqiya bloc met with Iranian officials to gain Shi’ite support. Overall, at least 26 Iraqis were killed, including those found in the mass grave, and another six were wounded.
Baghdad was again the target of a massive, coordinated bomb attack just a couple days after a similar attack struck the capital’s foreign embassies. This attack was more personal as it focused on apartment buildings across the city. Overall, at least 39 Iraqis were killed and 149 more were wounded across the country.
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in a series of attacks across central and northern Iraq. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Malki says he is ready for a lengthy battle in creating the new government. This week’s focus on the election has so far been on the Sadrist vote; however, the Kurds are now making their demands known.
