U.S. soldiers shot and wounded an Iraqi policeman in an apparent case of mistaken identity. He was just one of the nine killed and 35 wounded in today’s attacks. Meanwhile, the border situation between Iraq and its neighbors, Kuwait and Turkey remain uneasy. Also, Iraq made its first payment for new warplanes.
Although violence was fairly light today, an escalating border situation involving Iran and Kuwait could spell increasing woes for Iraq. Frustrated Iranian forces resumed cross-border shelling of Iraqi Kurdistan, resulting in the death of one civilian. And, Kuwait detained 11 fisherman who may have strayed into Kuwaiti waters. Overall, eight Iraqis were killed in new violence. Another 20 were injured in what may have been chlorine gas attack.
Iraq has denied launching rockets at a controversial port being built in neighboring Kuwait and has opened an investigation into the assault. Meanwhile, at least 14 Iraqis were killed and 69 more were wounded across the country.
A second day of attacks against pilgrims traveling to Karbala has left scores dead or injured in the holy city. Across the country at least eight Iraqis were killed and about 85 more were wounded, either in new attacks or the Karbala bombings.
Reports that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is considering some form of membership for two non-Gulf states—Jordan and Morocco—confirm that the conservative Sunni monarchies of the Middle East are closing ranks against Iran, Shi’ite-led Iraq, and the democratic wave sweeping the region. GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani made the announcement Tuesday after a summit of …
Continue reading “Sunni Monarchies Close Ranks”
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in light violence.
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in attacks across central and northern Iraq. To the south, Kuwait is planning to clean oil contamination left from the 1990 Gulf War.
Marking the first time since the Gulf War that a Kuwaiti premier has visited Iraq, HHHHkkelkrjw;elkrjHophSheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah arrived in Baghdad today to discuss several unresolved issues with the new Iraqi government. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden also dropped in to speak with the new government, but in this case, over the future of U.S. troops in Iraq. Meanwhile, at least three Iraqis were killed and four more were wounded in light violence.
The Iraqi government is investigating a shootout between the Kuwaiti Coast Guard and a group of Iraqi fishermen that left one Kuwaiti dead. Meanwhile, at least two Iraqis were killed and 42 more were wounded in this and other incidents.
Because of Ashuraa observances, reports of violence have been scant the last few days except for significant attacks. Only six casualties were reported today and all of them survived. However, there were a number of important news stories in the headlines today.
