Updated at 11:30 p.m. EDT, June 24, 2008
In Sadr City, a bomb blast in a council building killed four Americans and wounded another. A dual Italian-Iraqi national and a number of Iraqis were also among the casualties. Overall, at least 22 Iraqis were killed and 107 more were wounded in this and other attacks. Two of the Americans were U.S. soldiers.
A bomb struck a district council building in Sadr City. Two U.S. soldiers and two American employees were killed in the blast, while a U.S. soldier was wounded. Another U.S. government employee was killed; he was an Iraqi-born interpreter who held Italian citizenship. U.S. forces believe that a high-ranking official was the target of the bomb and are pointing the finger at Iran-backed “special groups” for the attack. Six Iraqis were killed and 10 more were injured as well, but the status of the target official has not been released. A suspect testing positive for explosive residue was captured fleeing the scene.
In Mosul, two people were killed, including a cop and a baby, and as many as 90 more were wounded in a suicide bombing near a police station; considerable damage was done to surrounding buildings. U.S. forces killed three family members and arrested two others for unknown reasons. An off-duty police lieutenant was shot dead as he left a university campus where he is studying law. Gunmen killed a tax department employee. Separately, four university students were kidnapped, but two were later released. Also, U.S. forces killed an al-Qaeda suspect.
In Baghdad, a body belonging to an Abu Dsheer council member was discovered; three unidentified bodies were found elsewhere. . In Kamaliyah, two people were injured during a mortar attack. A civilian was injured during a bombing in Andalus Square. U.S. troops bagged four suspects in Karrada, while Iraqi forces detained 63 more.
A roadside bomb blasted an Awakening Council (Sahwa) group patrol in Balad. Two members were killed and four more were wounded.
One gunmen was killed and 12 more were captured in northern Iraq by U.S. forces.
In Rashad, a local official was shot and killed.
A media watchdog group reported that U.S. forces detained the head of a Tikrit journalist’s union. His son was also arrested.
Twenty-four suspects were detained and four weapons caches were confiscated in Amara. Among them was the head of a municipal council.
In Karbala, three people suspected of murder and kidnapping were arrested.
An al-Qaeda suspect was captured in Yathrib.
Across Ninewah, nine suspects were captured.
The Iraqi army captured a “special groups” leader in Kut. “Special groups” is a term used by the U.S. military to describe Shi’ite militia members they believe are receiving support from neighboring Iran. Two more suspects were arrested in a nearby area.
Also, a Turkish soldier was killed in a clash with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels in southeastern Turkey.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
