Updated at 12:56 a.m. EDT, May 8, 2007
After a bloody weekend in Iraq, the White House warned Americans to expect more troop casualties and blamed the increase in soldier deaths on a surge of troops used in a 10-week-old security crackdown in Baghdad. Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported that an American soldier was killed during a small arms attack in western Baghdad. The death of a soldier on Saturday was also reported. In other violence, at least 128 Iraqis were killed and another 90 wounded.
Near Ramadi in the town of al-Jazeera, two suicide car bombs killed 25 people and wounded at least 40 others; the town is home to tribal leaders fighting al-Qaeda.
In Baghdad, 30 unidentified bodies were dumped in various locations. Five people were killed and two wounded during a bombing in the Saidiya neighborhood. Mortars fell on Bayaa, , Um al-Malif, Jisr Diyala and Medayan, killing six and injuring five all together. In Bab al-Muadem, gunmen killed one civilian and injured two others. No casualties were reported after a bombing went off in central Baghdad.
Security was increased in the capital’s Bayaa and Adhamiya neighborhoods; one gunman and seven Iraqi troops were killed, nine were wounded. U.S. forces detained 15 suspects; Iraqi forces arrested 86 more. Also, on the outskirts of town, a bombing at a checkpoint resulted in eight dead policemen and 12 wounded.
Two people were killed and ten wounded during a mortar attack near Iskandariya.
Two bodies were found near Hilla.
Following clashes near Salman Pak, U.S helicopters fired upon and killed up to 10 gunmen.
A roadside bomb in Mosul injured a policeman.
A security guard was killed in the crossfire of a clash between British forces and gunmen in Basra. Katyusha rockets killed a civilian. Also, a roadside bomb injured a woman.
Near Hawija, the body of a policeman was found.
One person was wounded during a bombing in Kirkuk.
Nine suspects were captured in Balad, including one believed to be financing al-Qaeda operations.
Five civilians were killed in Khalis. The bodies of six Iraqi soldiers were turned in to the morgue, as well. Gunmen attacked a carpenter’s shop, killing the owner and three sons. Also, a married pair of educators were executed in front of their pupils.
Four suspects were arrested in the al-Kisk area after troops discovered explosives underneath an pipeline carrying oil to Turkey; pipelines are a favored target for attacks.
In New Baquba, gunmen killed a police officer.
Two officers were injured in separate incidents near Baquba.
Four people were killed and two others wounded when gunmen attacked a minibus heading to Mandili.
A roadside bomb injured a father and two of his sons in Bani Saad.
A body belonging chairman of the al-Wajihiya town council was found.
Five Iraqi soldiers were killed in Baagh, which is near Mosul.
In Najaf, no casualties were reported after a bombing.
Also, the Islamic State in Iraq claimed to be holding nine security personnel and wanted all Sunni women in jail released in exchange for the hostages.
And, a journalist killed while traveling in a vehicle with U.S. troops was identified as Russian photographer Dmitry Chebotayev.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
