Updated at 7:17 p.m. EDT, Sept. 16, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 26 more were wounded in light violence as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden continues his visit to Iraq. Meanwhile, talks between Syria and Iraq have broken down, and former deputy prime minister of Iraq, Barham Salih, has been selected to head the semi-autonomous Kurdistan government.
Updated at 6:20 p.m. EDT, Sept. 15, 2009
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad on an unannounced trip. Meanwhile, Iraqi and Syrian officials will meet in Ankara to discuss allegations that recent bombings in Baghdad were orchestrated from Syria. Elsewhere, Military police are investing an allegation that British soldiers raped and maimed an Iraqi man in Basra six years ago. Also, Muntadhar al-Zeidi has been released from jail. At least four Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in light violence.
Updated at 5:51 p.m. EDT, Sept. 12, 2009
Baghdad again was targeted by a series of bombs, this time against religious shrines. Overall, at least 10 Iraqis were killed and 49 more were wounded there and elsewhere. Also, Prime Minister’s Nouri al-Maliki’s “spat” with Syria could be hurting him politically ahead of January elections. Iraq’s Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi meanwhile announced that he will run in those elections as a member of a new political party.
Updated at 11:01 p.m. EDT, Sept. 9, 2009
At least 44 Iraqis were killed and 61 more wounded in attacks, including a significant bombing in a Kurdish village. Meanwhile, two Saddam-era officials were acquitted of war crimes involving the deaths of two British soldiers during the U.S.-led invasion, even as yesterday’s U.S. servicemember deaths have left planners wondering about the feasibility of the U.S. drawdown. Also, Iraqi and Syrian diplomats met behind closed doors in Cairo but failed to resolve tensions over Syria allowing foreign fighters entry into Iraq.
Political violence in Iraq killed 456 Iraqis in August, the highest monthly death toll since July 2008. And with the U.S. showing no sign it plans to reverse the troop withdrawal that is now well underway, numerous struggles for power are shaping up inside Iraq. They involve both competing factions within the country and also, …
Continue reading “Stormy Times in Iraq as US Withdraws”
Updated at 7:03 p.m. EDT, Sept. 4, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in the latest violence. Four of the dead were casualties from yesterday’s bombing in Mussayab. Meanwhile, Iraq ratcheted up its complaints against Syria and deployed troops to the border. Also, Serbia may replace several fighter jets sent there for service during the Saddam era but were instead stripped for parts.
Updated at 5:30 p.m. EDT, Sept. 3, 2009
At least 15 Iraqis and 125 more were wounded in the latest attacks, which include a significant bombing just south of Baghdad. Two U.S. soldiers were killed and five more were injured as well, in a vehicular accident in Diyala province. Also, a deputy minister was arrested in a corruption sting
Updated at 5:35 p.m. EDT, Aug. 31, 2009
At least five Iraqis were killed and 50 more were wounded as a Turkish diplomat moderated discussions between Syria and Iraq over the violence in Iraq. Meanwhile, a group of Iraqi MiG fighters were found in Serbia, and al-Hakim’s son formally took over leadership of the SIIC party.
Updated at 5:55 p.m EDT, Aug. 25, 2009
At least six Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in a number of small incidents across the country. The fallout from last week’s Baghdad bombings continues with Iraq and Syria both recalling their diplomats over a spat concerning a pair of suspected Saddam loyalists who are accused of ordering the blasts. Meanwhile, a U.S. officer spoke about having less work to do since handing over security to the Iraqis.
Updated at 8:53 p.m. EDT, Aug. 18, 2009
At least six Iraqis were killed and 24 more were wounded in the latest violence. Besides a bombing in southern Baghdad, the most significant news to come out of Iraq today dealt with militants. U.S. authorities are releasing a number of Shi’ite militants they would rather keep incarcerated. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave Syria a list of suspects he wants extradited to Iraq and asked Syria to help prevent fighters from crossing the border.
