Updated at 1:20 a.m. EST, Feb.11, 2008
Although Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek said that U.S. presence on Iraq is a destabilizing force in the region, U.S. Defense Secretary Gates hinted that a pause in the drawdown of American troops in Iraq is likely. Meanwhile, one American soldier was killed and two more were wounded during an IED explosion yesterday in Diyala province. At least 40 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 67 wounded in separate events. Also, CBS news journalist and his translator were kidnapped in Basra.
In Baghdad, twin car bombs were detonated at a petrol station adjacent to a Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) office in Jadiriyah. At least 19 people were killed and 45 others were wounded. The SIIC is the largest Shi’ite party and has been targeted in the past.
Elsewhere in the capital, three dumped bodies were found. Five people were wounded during a car bombing in Doura. A roadside bomb in al-Mashtal killed one person and wounded two others. Two people were injured during a bombing in Mansour. Also, U.S. forces arrested 25 suspects in Sadr City.
Four bodies were found near Baiji.
Clashes in Mosul left one Iraqi soldier and four gunmen were killed. In a separate incident, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives, wounding a woman and a child. Gunmen wounded a man. Also, mortars injured two people.
Protests against a police chief continue in Baquba. The demonstrations were led by Awakening Council members who accuse the chief of belonging to the Mahdi Army.
In Samarra, two suspects were killed and seven more detained.
Three gunmen were killed in Muqdadiyah. Also, a doctor was kidnapped.
Sixteen gunmen were detained in Kirkuk.
Northeast of Arbil in the Juman area, a man was killed and his son was wounded by a landmine.
In Basra, two al-Sistani aides were freed and a kidnapper killed during clashes. Three policemen were also injured.
Four civilians were wounded during a roadside bombing in Mussayib.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
