Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, Mar. 13, 2008
As the body of a kidnapped Chaldean Catholic priest was found in northern Iraq, a car bomb blast in Baghdad killed and injured scores of civilians. Overall at least 39 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 112 were wounded in the latest attacks. No Coalition deaths were reported today, but the toll for the week so far is 12 Americans. Also, both Iran and Turkey shelled separate rebel locations in northern Iraq.
U.S. forces and Mahdi Army members exchanged gun and rocket fire again in Kut. The battle erupted on Tuesday, possibly over an argument between mourners and Iraqi security forces. Police report that two people were killed and six wounded during shelling today. Moqtada al-Sadr again asked his followers to observe his unilateral ceasefire, but the Shi’ite cleric will allow them to defend themselves against attacks. It is believed that the ceasefire is a significant reason behind the recent reduction in violence in Iraq.
In Baghdad, a car bomb near the Green Zone in Tahrir Square left 18 dead and as many as 65 wounded. A bomb at a market in al-Shurta al-Khamissa left five wounded. Also, a journalist was gunned down in the Karrada district; also a bomb was success. No causualties were reported after a mortar attack on the Green Zone. A roadside bomb targeting a U.S. patrol on Qanat St. left no casualties. Also, three dumped bodies were found.
The body of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho was found north of Mosul two weeks after he had been kidnapped. The Mosul-born Rahho belonged to the Chaldean denomination, which accepts the authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
Five Sahwa members were killed and nine more were wounded during armed attacks at two checkpoints near Tikrit. Eight people were kidnapped in separate incidents.
A suicide bomber killed three Sahwa members and wounded nine others at a gathering in Zab.
In Kirkuk, a suicide bomber killed an Iraqi army soldier and wounded 11 others. A roadside bomb blast injured three people.
Two people were killed and two more were wounded at a checkpoint in Baiji.
Two Iraqi soldiers were wounded when a roadside bomb in Udhaim blasted their convoy.
Gunmen killed a civilian in Baquba.
A Kurd was kidnapped in Tuz Khormato. Three Iraqi army soldiers were injured during a IED attack.
Near Arbil, a body was found.
The Iraqi army reported arresting 35 gunmen and 26 suspects across Iraq. The U.S. army detained five in Baghdad. Meanwhile, 235 detainees in Fallujah, await release under a general amnesty program.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
