Updated at 12:15 a.m. EST, Jan. 8, 2008
The wave of attacks on U.S.-backed Awakening Councils continued today. Overall, 62 Iraqis were killed or found dead, and 85 more were wounded. At least eight neighborhood patrolmen were kidnapped in the capital as well. Meanwhile, an accidental fire at a Baiji refinery left more casualties. Also, one American sailor was killed.
One American sailor was declared dead after he apparently went overboard in the Arabian Sea. Also, two Navy jets crashed in the Persian Gulf; three pilots were rescued in good condition.
In Baghdad, A combined suicide vest and suicide car bombing left 24 dead and 47 injured in the Adhamiya neighborhood; among the dead were an Awakening Council leader and some of his retinue. A bomb in a Karrada market killed four people and wounded 16 others; another two bombs in the district wounded four more people. In Jadiriya, a pair of roadside bombs killed one civilian and wounded four people, including policemen. One person was killed and four more were wounded in an explosion at the entrance to the Sadr City suburb. Also, a bomb in Zaafaraniyah left one wounded.
Also, in the capital, U.S. forces raided the al-Karkh health department offices. At least eight Awakening Council patrolmen were kidnapped from a checkpoint in Shaab. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces killed six gunmen and freed four hostages. Seven dumped bodies were also recovered.
Five bodies, all belonging to the same family, were discovered in Khanaqeen.
In Mosul, gunmen attacked a police station where they killed one person and wounded three others. A body was also found yesterday and two bodies were found today. Also, a blast damaged a vehicle but left no casualties.
Gunmen attacked a car in Hawija, killing a married couple and their son.
In Samarra, gunmen killed an Awakening council patrolman as he worked inside his carpentry shop.
A roadside bomb in Kirkuk wounded a civilian and an Iraqi soldier. No casualties were reported when a Katyusha rocket fell on the al-Iraqiya TV station. Last night, an Iraqi soldier was wounded by an IED that exploded just outside his home. Also, an al-Qaeda leader was arrested.
An Awakening Council patrolman was killed at a checkpoint in Latifiya.
In Buhriz, an Awakening Council patrolman was gunned down.
Two people were wounded during a mortar attack in Baquba. An Awakening Council member was killed during a clash with al-Qaeda members; three gunmen were detained.
Nine hostages were freed in Zubair, and their abductors were arrested.
U.S. helicopters shot and killed three suspects south of Baghdad. An arms trafficker was arrested in a separate incident.
Near Tal Afar, two suspects were captured and seven car bombs were defused.
In Anbar province, 15 innocent detainees were released.
Also, a fire at a Baiji refinery killed three workers and injured 36 more. The fire was blamed on technical problems not violence.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
