Updated at 4:04 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2008
Iraqi Prime Minister traveled to Italy this week where he met with the Pope and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Back home, at least three Iraqis were killed and another 12 were wounded in the latest attacks. No Coalition deaths were reported. Iraq has been unusually peaceful this week. That may be due to less violence or a lack of adequate news getting out of the country. Many attacks in Iraq go unreported even during busy weeks.
In Mosul, three policemen were wounded during a roadside bombing in a western neighborhood. A sniper killed an Iraqi soldier. In al-Karama, gunmen stormed a home and killed a woman. Two girls and a young boy were kidnapped. Ten suspected al-Qaeda operatives were captured. Also, police detained five people suspected of involvement in the assassination of an Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) official.
In Baghdad, a body was discovered. Also, a kidnapping gang was captured in Kadhamiya during security operations; pilgrims are expected to crowd a neighborhood shrine next week.
In Karbala, a bomb on a minibus wounded nine people. Meanwhile, a security plan involving 10,000 extra security forces will be imposed ahead of next week’s religious observance. Twelve suspects were detained before they could enter the city. Also, authorities discovered 20 stolen cars being housed at a farm.
Officials in Wassit province are launching security measures ahead of next week’s religious observance. One particular highway leading to Baghdad will be the focus of these measures.
Two Turkish soldiers were killed by landmines in southeastern Turkey. They believe Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels planted the mines. The PKK uses northern Iraq to launch attacks against Turkish targets. They want to establish a homeland across parts of Turkey, Iraq and three other nations.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
