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 6:08 p.m. EDT, Aug. 2, 2009
At least 18 Iraqis were killed and 49 more were wounded mostly in two separate bombings. No Coalition deaths were reported; however, the remains of a Navy pilot, missing since the Persian Gulf War, were recovered from a burial site in Anbar province. Also, Prime Minister Maliki made his first trip to Kurdistan since taking office three years ago, perhaps hoping to stave off another war. Separately, former Saddam aide Tariq Aziz received a seven-year sentence for the forced relocation of Kurds.
Updated at 8:05 p.m. EDT, July 27, 2009
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 32 more were wounded in the latest attacks, while four U.S. soldiers were injured in a vehicular accident north of Kirkuk. A small amount of violence has followed the election in the Kurdish Autonomous Region, some of it apparently “celebratory.”
Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2009
The elections in Iraqi Kurdistan have gone peacefully today; however, a blast in Fallujah left over two dozen casualties. Across Iraq, eight people were killed and 33 others were wounded.
Updated at 7:16 p.m. EDT, July 23, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and 17 more were wounded in light violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but the Iraqi Monitor of Constitutional Freedom and Bill of Rights (MRFC) reported that U.S. forces have killed at least 10 Iraqis since withdrawing from cities at the end of June.
Updated at 10:07 p.m. EDT, July 18, 2009
Today’s observances at the Imam Musa shrine in Baghdad suffered no attacks even though the millions of Shi’ite pilgrims who traveled there could have been potential targets for terror. Still, at least nine Iraqis were killed and 23 were wounded in other violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but two Xe (formerly Blackwater) contractors were killed in a helicopter crash outside Baghdad; two more were wounded. In Arbil, Kurdish politicians rejected the partitioning of Kirkuk (At Tamim) province into four sections.
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 11:42 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.
Updated at 7:45 p.m. EDT, July 4, 2009
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden celebrated the U.S. Independence Day with his son who is serving in Iraq. A scheduled trip to Arbil, however, was canceled due to sandstorms. Meanwhile, at least seven Iraqis were killed and 21 more were wounded in the latest violence. No Coalition deaths were reported.
Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, June 23, 2009
On an otherwise quiet day, Sadrist lawmakers demanded the defense ministry to explain how uniformed gunmen entered Sadr City last week and murdered four individuals. Across the country, only two Iraqis were reported killed. Sixteen Iraqis were also wounded.
