Updated at 4:44 p.m. EDT, August 11, 2008
Even as violence continues to plague Diyala, the Iraqi government pulled back operations in the province to allow gunmen to peacefully surrender. Overall, at least 16 Iraqis were killed and another 38 were wounded across the country. No Coalition deaths were reported, but Russia expressed its annoyance with the U.S. for helping send Georgian troops home.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin admonished the U.S. for shuttling Georgian troops home after Georgia requested help in bringing them back from Iraq. He says the action will harm attempts to resolve the days-old war. Russia and Georgia are currently locked in conflict over the breakaway republic of South Ossetia.
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb wounded eight people in Bab al-Sheikh. In New Baghdad, a bomb planted on a car killed its driver and wounded two others. A bomb targeting a U.S. patrol injured two Iraqis near Beirut Square instead. Three civilians were injured during mortar fire in Shabb. No casualties were reported after a roadside bomb blasted a convoy, also in Shabb. Two dumped bodies were found. Also, 24 suspects were captured.
In Mosul, gunmen attacked a policeman’s home; one policeman and one gunman were killed. Two people were wounded when a car bomb exploded at a petrol station in al-Ta’mim. A bomb planted on a car killed a man yesterday in al-Rashidiya. Also, two captives were liberated.
A female suicide bomber killed four policemen and wounded 16 people at a Baquba police station.
A roadside bomb in Wajihiya killed five women and injured three men as they were approaching a field.
In Abu al-Khaseeb, a roadside bomb injured two policemen.
Fifty-five suspects were detained in Dhi Qar province.
The leader of a kidnapping gang was arrested in Kut.
In Diyala, security operations were temporarily suspended to allow gunmen to turn themselves over to authorities. The Interior Ministry today reported arresting another 376 suspects in recent days. Five days ago the total captured was only at 483 suspects. The operation has already come under fire for having allowed gunmen to flee the area before the operation was implemented. Diyala has been one of the most violent provinces in Iraq, but the operation met with almost no resistance. Meanwhile, the mayor of Jalawla complained that army presence in the province were creating a tense situation among the area’s Peshmerga fighters. Also, the Interior Ministry denies having fired the Diyala police chief.
More than 115,000 detainees have been released so far under a general amnesty law. Over 28,000 who do not come under the offer for release are still in custody.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
