Violence tapered off a day after a massive series of attacks against Iraqi security personnel. At least 20 Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in the latest incident, several of which again targeted security and other government personnel. Separately, Kuwait and Iraq are finalizing a deal that will allow the two countries to share in profits from the border oilfields that triggered an Iraqi invasion in August of 1990 and subsequent Gulf War.
Despite indications of a surge in violence, U.S. President Barack Obama promised to end U.S. combat operations on schedule this month and shift the Iraq mission to civilian and diplomatic efforts. Still, at least 14 Iraqis were killed and 36 more were wounded in new violence. Meanwhile, Kuwait marked the 20th anniversary of the country’s invasion by Iraqi troops and start of the first Gulf War. Also, Saudi Arabia is welcoming the opportunity to strengthen relations with Iraq and reign in Iran’s influence in the region.
At least seven Iraqis were killed, but no wounded were reported. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government declared the national airlines bankrupt and closed Iraqi Airways a month after Kuwait attempted to confiscate one of their planes in Europe. Kuwait claims it is owed $1.2 billion in reparations for planes and spare parts.
Updated at 10:28 p.m. EDT, May 6, 2010
At least five Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, a mass grave containing 55 Iraqis soldiers killed in Kuwait during the 1991 war was discovered there. Also, a day after terms of a political alliance were leaked to the press, one important condition came under closer scrutiny.
The only city to report casualties, so far, today was Mosul, which saw one Iraqi death. Four other Iraqis were wounded there as well. Meanwhile, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi traveled to Damascus to help mend relations that were damaged when Baghdad blamed Syria for enabling deadly bombings last year. At the same time, Iraq has also improved relations with Kuwait by appointing its first ambassador in 20 years.
The Sultan family of Kuwait runs a variety of businesses alleged to be at the heart of a scheme to overcharge the U.S. military by as much as a billion dollars over the last seven years. The company is currently scheduled to face criminal arraignment on Feb. 8 in Atlanta, Ga. Federal criminal investigators say …
Continue reading “Allegations of Fraud Scheme at Kuwaiti Pentagon Contractor”
Agility, a Kuwait-based multi-billion-dollar logistics company spawned by the U.S. invasion of Iraq, is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 8 on criminal charges of overbilling U.S. taxpayers for food supply contracts in the Iraq war zone that were worth more than $8.5 billion. If the lawsuit is successful, the company could owe the U.S. …
Continue reading “Kuwaiti Pentagon Contractor Faces Fraud Charges”
Updated at 6:16 p.m. EDT. Sept. 24, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in light violence. The most significant news items today were the escape of 11 detainees in Tikrit and the foiled assassination attempt on a major political leader. Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ministry of Immigration has plans to help 30,000 displaced families return to Ninewa province. Also, Kuwait is considering reinvesting any war reparations back into Iraq in hopes it will end any issues preventing payment.
Updated at 8:55 p.m. EDT, Aug. 11, 2009
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 50 more were wounded just a day after the bloodiest spasm of violence since the pullback of U.S. troops. A U.S. soldier died in Kuwait of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident as well. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti authorities arrested six people suspected of plotting an attack against the U.S. base there. Many U.S. soldiers there are either supporting the Iraq operation or are using the base as a transit point between Iraq and other locations. Also, the Pentagon admitted fears over Arab-Kurd tensions.
Updated at 5:23 p.m. EDT, June 2, 2009
A relative quiet day in Iraq hid the grim reality that 5,000 U.S. servicemembers have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The 5,000th death may have been one of two U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq. Four Iraqis were wounded in a pair of minor bombings in Mosul and Mussayab.
