Updated at 12:30 a.m. EDT, July 9, 2007
The weekend death toll in Iraq climbed to 342, an alarming figure even for the war-ravaged country. One of the largest bombings–if not the largest bombing–since the U.S. invasion took place in a small village in northern Iraq on Saturday. At least 150 were killed and about 20 more people were still missing today. It was followed by several bombings in the Baghdad region today including an attack on army recruits which killed over 20 of them. Many deaths go unreported, so the death toll is likely higher. Eight American and three British servicemembers were also reported killed.
At least 105 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 59 were wounded during the latest violence. The largest incident was the killing of 23 army recruits in Haswa. Several bombings took place in Baghdad as well. A suicide bomber killed an American soldier and wounded three more west of Baghdad. Also, a British soldier died yesterday of wounds he sustained during a large operation in Basra.
A suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a truck carrying Sunni Arab army recruits south of Baghdad near Haswa; 23 recruits were killed and 27 more were wounded.
In Baghdad, the bodies of an Iraqi couple employed by the U.S. embassy were found; they had been missing since May. A roadside bomb killed six and wounded seven others in the Shurja marketplace. In Karrada, a car bomb killed six and wounded 15 others. A separate car bomb killed three people and wounded 11 near the al-Hamra hotel in Jadriya. Two Iraqi soldiers and two Iraqi security personnel were killed in separate attacks in northern Baghdad. Also, 29 dumped bodies were found in Baghdad.
A mortar round killed a woman and two children in Samawa. Clashes resumed in the city; one person was killed and six were wounded.
In Kirkuk, a Turkmen magazine editor was assassinated. Two bodies, bearing gunshot and torture marks, were found. PUK party offices were attacked but no casualties were reported. Also, three bodies were found dumped.
In Mosul, two members of the municipal council were gunned down. Two women were killed and a man was wounded in crossfire. Police killed a gunman and four more people lost their lives while two more were injured.
No casualties were reported despite a mortar attack on a U.S. base in Kut.
A suicide bomber and three accomplices were killed in Hilla when their bomb exploded prematurely. The driver is believed to be a foreigner.
The Iraqi army reported killing nine suspects and arresting 38 others in various locations. Iraqi security forces found a bomb-making factory near Mosul.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
