Updated at 9:32 p.m. EDT, May 10, 2008
The Iraqi government and Mahdi army sources have apparently reached an agreement to suspend fighting in Baghdad’s Sadr City suburb; however, the U.S. military continued air strikes. At least 50 Iraqis were killed and 147 were injured in the latest attacks. Also, one American soldier died of non-combat injuries yesterday and a second soldier died in a vehicular accident in Anbar.
Sadr City hospital sources reported treating 115 wounded and receiving 20 bodies since yesterday. An apparent truce between the Iraqi government and the Mahdi Army has been reached today. The U.S. army says it is unaware of it and continued to launch airstrikes within the city. . Spokespeople from the Iraqi government and Sadrist party have confirmed the truce. The fighting began when Prime Minster Nouri al-Maliki launched a security operation in Basra that many Sadrists and Western analysts believe was really an attempt to sideline al-Sadr forces before October elections. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been killed in the ongoing clashes.
In Mosul, U.S. and Iraqi troops finally launched a security operation against al-Qaeda. Prime Minister al-Maliki promised to clear the city of militants last January after attacks in the city rose. Instead, al-Maliki concentrated forces in the ill-fated security operation in Basra. At least 60 suspects have already been detained.
In Baghdad, three bodies were found. Two people were killed and eight were wounded when a rocket fell in an eastern neighborhood. A rocket attack Mansour left five wounded. Five were wounded during a roadside bombing in Zaafaraniyah. A mortar round on Palestine St. wounded three people. Four Iraqi soldiers were injured during a raodside bombing in Husseiniyah. A roadside bomb in Shabb injured two people. Six suspects were arrested. Also, 19 gunmen were killed in various locations across the city.
Two civilians were killed and five others were wounded when a roadside bomb blasted a police patrol in Basra. Also, 14 suspects were arrested during raids.
Two bodies were found during a security operation in Mahmudiya that also netted 18 wanted men.
In Balad Ruz, 16 suspects were detained and 35 IED’s were confiscated.
A suicide car bomber was arrested in Dhuluiya.
Four U.S. soliders were wounded during a roadside bombing in Diyala province.
Two Iraqi hunters were found shot dead near the Turkish border.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
