Updated at 12:20 a.m. EDT, June 3, 2007
Although the number of casualties was moderate today, significant events are taking place, including further posturing by Turkey. At least 78 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 59 were injured in violent attacks. Also, two GIs were killed in separate incidents. And, a British soldier was wounded in Basra.
The family of a U.S. servicemember, who was wounded two weeks ago in Iraq, today announced that he has died from his wounds. The DOD announced that another soldier died in May bringing the tally up to 127 GI deaths; he was killed in a small arms attack in Baghdad on Thursday. Also, a U.S. helicopter made a "hard landing" after receiving enemy gunfire in the Khan Bani Saad region.
Meanwhile, in other military news, Turkey is saying that troops stationed in northern Iraq are being harassed by local armed forces. Turkey has been threatening military action against what it describes as Kurdish rebels in Iraq, who are crossing the border and encouraging Kurd populations in Turkey to seek independence. A recent bombing in Ankara is blamed on these groups.
Also, an anonymous Interior Ministry official released figures showing that May was the deadliest month for Iraqis since the start of a security crackdown in February. However, the UN had recently rebuked Iraq for not providing accurate figures, in an attempt to play down sectarian and other violence in the country.
In Baghdad, 10 people were killed and at least 23 wounded in a mortar barrage in the Fadhil neighborhood. Gunmen killed three people and wounded two others in separate incidents in western Baghdad. Two bullet-riddled bodies were found in Bayaa. In Shula, 2000 people marched to demand better services. The Imam of Al Siddeeq mosque was killed in the Ghazaliya neighborhood. In Saidiya, 12 IEDs were defused. And, 26 corpses were recovered in several locations.
Also, it is believed that other militant groups are coming to the aid of fighters who are battling al-Qaeda elements in the Amiriya area of the capital. This is the third day of intense clashes. Meanwhile, Iraqi troops reported killing five gunmen, wounding several others, and detaining 32 in the capital. And, 11 soldiers were killed and 15 wounded during a security mission.
The body of a tribal leader was discovered in Sulaiman Bek.
A suicide car bomber at a checkpoint in Shurqat killed five Iraqis, including two soldiers and two policemen.
Near Tuz Khormato, gunmen damaged a major bridge that links Baghdad with the northern cities of Kirkuk and Arbil. Small cars are still able to use the crossing, but heavy trucks must now detour through dangerous areas.
Three Iraqi soldiers were kidnapped near Kirkuk. Gunmen killed a civilian. Last night, an IED injured six members of the emergency brigade. Also, in a separate incident, an IED injured an Iraqi soldier at a bus station.
Two bodies were brought into the hospital at Khalis this morning.
The bodies of a teacher and policemen were brought into the hospital morgue in Diyala province. Five civilians were killed in scattered incidents throughout Diyala.
A policeman was injured during an IED explosion in a Baquba suburb. Gunmen injured a policeman in a separate neighborhood.
A car bomb killed an Iraqi soldier at Udhaim.
One Iraqi soldier was killed and four were injured during an IED bombing in Muqdadiyah. Mortars injured six people in a suburb.
Gunmen killed a local al-Qaeda leader in Fallujah.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
