About 1300 Peshmerga fighters have been deployed into contested areas of Diyala province, where they will operate in the heavily Kurdish areas of Jalawla, Saidiya, Qara Tappa, and Mandali. Due to increased security concerns, the Kurdish parliament recently voted to redeploy the soldiers even though Diyala is not one of the three provinces that belong to Iraqi Kurdistan. The Peshmerga, so far, have been able to work peacefully alongside Iraqi army troops. Meanwhile, at least 43 Iraqis were killed and eight were wounded across the country.
Lawmakers in Iraqi Kurdistan have decided to send Peshmerga fighters into a neighboring province of Iraq to secure the unstable region and act as negotiators with Iran over a brewing water crisis. Meanwhile, at least 16 Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in ongoing violence elsewhere.
At least 20 Iraqis were killed and 46 more were wounded in new violence. Few attacks were reported, but a double suicide bombing in Tikrit left many casualties.
Light violence left two dead and seven wounded in Baquba. Also, the U.S. military announced that U.S. troops will cease daily joint operations with Peshmerga and Arab security forces in northern Iraq at the end of the month but will be on hand should any need for them arise.
Updated at 10:53 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2010
Security has been tightened ahead of Shi’ite religious holiday, but at least 15 Iraqis were killed and 36 more were wounded in unrelated violence. Meanwhile, a State of Law M.P. complained that the delay in forming the government has shaken the international community’s trust in Iraq. Despite that fear, Iraq’s political blocs postponed the parliamentary session by one day to pick a speaker, among other issues plaguing the new parliament. The government, however, was able to make a decision on changing Iraq’s state logo and stamp. Mirroring parliament, the Iraqi Football Association has postponed board elections until further notice.
Updated at 9:29 p.m. EDT, July 6, 2010
At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 48 were wounded in attacks that focused on pilgrims traveling through Baghdad for an important Shi’ite observance. Reports were scarce from other regions of the country, perhaps due to tightening security ahead of the holiday. There were several other stories mostly regarding foreign relations, but even the plight of Iraqi widows made the headlines.
At least six Iraqis were killed and 46 more were wounded in attacks across the country, but rocket and mortar attacks that may have targeted U.S. Vice President Joe Biden left no casualties in the Green Zone. Meanwhile, Biden spoke with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani before wrapping up his trip to Iraq.
Updated at 7:07 p.m. EST, Feb. 11, 2010
Hundreds of former Blackwater security guards have until Sunday to leave Iraq in a clear act of retribution for the dismissal of a U.S. court case against the company. The Iraqi government, meanwhile, also complained about former PM Allawi’s “dangerous” statements about civil war. At least three Iraqis were killed and eight were wounded in light violence, while a U.S. soldier died of injuries received in a non-combat incident.
Attacks continued against Shi’ite pilgrims walking to Karbala for Arbaeen observances. Southern Baghdad seemed especially dangerous for the pilgrims who are often traveling on foot. Overall, at least six Iraqis were killed and 17 more were wounded across the country.
A civil suit thought to be settled may not be over for Blackwater Worldwide. Some Iraqi families want more compensation for deaths and injuries caused by the companies contractors. Meanwhile, at least two Iraqis were killed and 20 more were wounded in new attacks. An Iraqi civilian injured in the deadly 2007 Blackwater shootout has …
Continue reading “Sunday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 20 Wounded” 
