U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen said that the United States remains on track to withdraw 50,000 troops from Iraq in August; however, the political situation will be watched until then. At least two Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in the latest violence, which included an attack on Kurdish rebels launched from Iranian soil.
read moreCongress Sends Wrong Message to Iraq
After more than 19 years of war, including seven years of occupation, the U.S. Congress still does not grasp domestic politics in Iraq. This week, the House passed a resolution asking the State Department to establish U.S. consulates in the Kurdistan region of Iraq,...
Saturday: 2 US Soldiers, 3 Iraqis, 4 PKK Killed; 9 Iraqis Wounded
At least three Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded in light violence just a day after a significant bombing in Khalis. Also, two U.S. soldiers were killed in separate location in northern Iraq. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said that four rebels were killed and five more were wounded during Turkish air strikes on northern Iraq.
read moreIraq: Controlled Devolution or Uncontrolled Disintegration
Recently, Massoud Barzani, president of the northern Kurdish region in Iraq, bluntly declared that the American visions of a strongly unified Iraq were “bird dreams and wishes.” Barzani then proceeded to heighten pressure for greater decentralization of the country...
Tuesday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 31 Wounded
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 31 more were wounded in the latest attacks. In Kurdistan, over 100 children killed during the Saddam era were reburied during a somber ceremony. Also, the U.S., Turkey and Iraq have drafted a plan to fight jointly against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) even though the PKK has been seeking a truce.
read moreAre Kurds’ Days of Kingmaking Over?
In the run-up to Iraq's parliamentary elections next week, the once-united Kurds are not only suffering deep fissures but are expected to lose their privileged kingmaker position after the polls. This lack of unity coupled with the rise of several strong coalitions in...
Wednesday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 5 Wounded
Violence was light today, but several stories that are all possibly election related made the headlines. The most important ones are the creation of a new Ba’athist blacklist, attacks against Christians, and the strange story about 67 unidentified bodies that a candidate told at a press conference. Unless those 67 corpses turn up, only one Iraqi was killed today and five more were wounded.
read moreFriday: 27 Iraqis Killed, 83 Wounded
Updated at 8:25 p.m. EST, Dec. 25, 2009 At least 27 Iraqis were killed and 83 more were wounded in both Ashura-related violence and other attacks. In northern Iraq, Shabaks and Christians fought over decorations at a church. Meanwhile, a controversial rule that would...
Thursday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 54 Wounded
Updated at 8:10 p.m. EST, Nov. 26, 2009
On the eve of Eid al-Adha, at least nine Iraqis were killed and 54 more wounded. The holiday, which commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, is set to begin Friday for Sunnis and Saturday for Shi’ites.
read moreTuesday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 11 Wounded
Updated at 8:55 p.m. EST, Nov. 24, 2009
The Independent High Electoral Commission warned that it would not set a new election date until the debate over the elections law is over. At least six Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in light violence.
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