US Closes Northern Iraq Base As Turkey Intensifies PKK Border Operations

The U.S. military moved forward with its drawdown operations by officially shutting down one of its regional headquarters today. The base oversaw areas of northern Iraq where Turkish troops continued their operations against Kurdish rebels. Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in violence further south in Baghdad and Sadr City.

The More Enemies, the More Honor

An old photo from World War I shows a company of German soldiers getting on the train on their way to the front. On the wall of the car somebody had scribbled “viel Feind, viel Ehr” (“The more enemies, the more honor.”) In those days, at the very start of what was to be the … Continue reading “The More Enemies, the More Honor”

Bloody Iraq: 1 US Soldier, 13 Iraqis Killed; 90 Iraqis Wounded

At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 90 more were wounded in the latest violence. One attack, on security personnel, took place in Kirkuk where a U.S. general says American troops are no longer needed. Separately, a U.S. soldier was also killed in a rocket or mortar attack. Meanwhile, Turkey continued its aerial assault on suspected P.K.K. hideouts across northern Iraq.

Sahwa Fighter’s Family Slaughtered As 14 Are Killed in Iraq Violence

At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 41 more were wounded in the latest violence, which included a bloody attack on a Sahwa fighter’s family. Meanwhile, Iran has accepted a peace deal with P.J.A.K. rebels, but Turkey continues to bomb P.K.K. targets in northern Iraq. The P.K.K., not to be left out, kidnapped three schoolteachers in Turkey.

US Troops Shoot Policeman As Nine Iraqis Are Killed In Other Attacks

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.

Turkish PM Meets With Iraq’s President As Attacks Leave 15 Dead

At least seven Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in the latest reports, but in neighboring Turkey, suspected Kurdish rebels killed at least five policemen and wounded 12 others in a pair of attacks. Three rebels died.

Iraq Ministry To Launch ID Center As New Mass Grave Yields 27 Dead

New violence left 11 Iraqis dead and 10 more wounded. Separately, a mass grave yielded 27 decomposed bodies. Meanwhile, Turkey renewed its air strikes against rebels in northern Iraq, and Iran declared victory in its own operations on a related group of Kurdish rebels.

Triple Suicide Bombing At Gov’t Complex in Anbar Province

New violence left at least 12 Iraqis dead and 28 more wounded. The worst attack occurred in Anbar province where, coincidentally, four Nukheib massacre suspects were finally released. Also, U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen said that the number of U.S. troops in Iraq should fall to 30,000 this month, a drop of about 15,000 troops.

US Soldier Dies In Iraq, First American Death In Two Months

At least two Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in the latest attacks. A U.S. soldier also died, but it was in a non-hostile event. Meanwhile, U.S. troops helped locals in Halabja disarm a chemical rocket, and the controversial arrests of several Sunnis following a Shi’ite massacre took odd, new twists.