Updated at 12:13 a.m. EDT, May 12, 2008
Casualties in Sadr City have tapered off as the truce between the Iraqi government and Shi’ite militiamen appears to be holding. Still, at least 37 Iraqis were killed and 38 more were wounded in violence across Iraq. Meanwhile, Turkey launched air and artillery attacks into northern Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported.
In Sadr City, the truce announced yesterday appears to be working. Only sporadic violence was reported on Sunday, but 15 people were killed and 25 were wounded before word of the truce reached all quarters. A spokesman for U.S. forces said, “this agreement really doesn’t change anything for us” but operations in the city would be scaled back to see if the truce is holding. They killed one gunman during a clash.
The fighting begin in March when Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki imposed a security crackdown in Basra. Followers of Shi’ite Moqtada al-Sadr believed the crackdown was meant to sideline their political party ahead of elections. The fighting spread across southern Iraq, but ended there after negotiations between Sadrists and the government in Baghdad were successful. In Sadr City, however, U.S. forces became involved because of rocket of mortar fire that was directed at the International Green Zone.
In Baghdad, U.S. forces killed eight gunmen in Adhamiya over the weekend. Six civilians were wounded during a roadside bombing in Salhiya that targeted a finance minister. Two people were wounded during a roadside bombing on Palestine Street. One dumped body was found in Saidiya.
Near Mosul, U.S. forces killed two gunmen but a woman and child were also killed in the operation.
Two bodies were found near Kirkuk. Two people were wounded during a bombing in a central neighborhood. Also, gunmen killed a soldier and kidnapped a civilian in separate incidents.
Five gunmen were killed and 12 arrested during two separate operations in Ninewah province. Another gunman was killed in al-Kasak.
In Basra, Iraqi servicemembers assaulted a photojournalist attempting to photograph the aftermath of a roadside bombing.
Ten policmen were accused of absuing their authority in Karbala.
An Awakening Council (Sahwa) checkpoint was attacked in Baquba. Gunmen killed one councilmember and wounded two others.
Turkey reported launching air and artillery strikes against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels in northern Iraq. They operations took place after rebels entered Turkey and attacked a police station Friday night. Casualty figures were not given.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
