Updated at 5:20 p.m. EST, Mar. 7, 2008
Today, Mosul was the scene of multiple bombings just as Baghdad was recovering from yesterday’s major bombing in Karrada. Overall, at least 27 Iraqis were killed and 33 more were wounded across the country. No Coalition deaths were reported. Also, Shi’ite Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr issued a statement explaining his long absence to followers, while pilgrims in Najaf observed the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s death.
In political news, President Jalal Talabani met with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul during his first visit to Turkey as Iraq’s president. The trip came on the heels of a Turkish incursion into Iraq to battle against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels. Turkey accuses the PKK of staging cross border attacks from Iraq’s mountainous north. Although Talabani is a Kurd, he, like many Kurdish Iraqis, do not fully support the PKK’s goals and pledged Iraqi support against the separatists.
In Mosul, a suicide bomber attacked a police station in the Ras al-Jada neighborhood; five policemen were killed and 19 others were wounded. A roadside bomb on Nabi Street left no casualties, but a second bomb at the location killed one civilian and wounded 14 others.
A mass grave containing at least three bodies and remains belonging to other victims was found in Albu Taema.
In Baghdad, three dumped bodies were discovered. Coalition troops killed a criminal and detained a Shi’ite militia coordinator. A roadside bomb targeting a U.S. convoy in Doura failed to cause casualties.
U.S. troops killed eight suspects in Samarra and arrested 17 others across northern and central Iraq.
A U.S. airstrike in al-Azhim left five gunmen dead, including a key leader.
Three al-Qaeda suspects were arrested in Khalis.
Also, four pilgrims were killed and four injured near al-Kifl in a vehicular accident that involved an Iraqi army Humvee. The pilgrims were on their way to Najaf.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
