Updated at 6:45 p.m. EDT, Aug. 31, 2008
At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 8 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, the tense situation between central government forces and Peshmerga forces continues in Khanaqin. Also, Ramadan begins tomorrow for Sunni Muslims and the day after for Shi’ites.
In Khanaqin, tensions between the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and Iraqi army troops continue to plague this Kurdish region of Diyala province. Although the fighters have maintained security in this area, the central government now wants only Iraqi troops handling security. Peshmerga forces, while loyal to Iraq, are under the direction of the Kurdish Autonomous region’s government.
This development could be part of a campaign on the part of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to strengthen his power before provincial elections. The campaign nearly ignited a civil war in the southern provinces last March. Violence there ended only after intense negotiations led to a ceasefire. Kurdish officials are on their way to Baghdad for talks.
In Baghdad, a bomb attached to a car wounded its driver and two Iraqi soldiers at a checkpoint. Gunmen killed a man driving on the Mohammed Al-Qassim highway. A bomb targeting a U.S. patrol in Shula failed to harm anyone. Snipers killed two people in Mansour. Also, two dumped bodies were found separately.
In Mosul, gunmen killed a policeman and wounded his brother. A body was found in a separate location. A roadside bomb wounded two guards traveling in a convoy with a Mosul operation commander.Two dumped bodies were recovered.
Two bodies were discovered in an irrigation channel south of Baghdad in al-Raay. The men had been in the process of returning to the Baghdad homes when they were taken and killed. Rogue elements in an Awakening Council (Sahwa) may be to blame.
Gunmen in Kirkuk kidnapped a bodyguard working for Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. His body was found shortly afterwards.
Men wearing Iraqi army uniforms stormed the home of a Kut police lieutenant colonel. They wounded the officer and killed his wife.
An Iraqi soldier was wounded during an incident in Diyala province. An Sahwa member and his family were killed as well, but this attack on the family was already reported without mention of the soldier.
Two gunmen were arrested in Dhi Qar.
Gunmen in Balad Ruz drove 46 families from their homes. No casualties were reported.
Iraqi troops have taken over security of a Ashraf City in Diyala province. The city is host to a number of Iranian refugees and the People’s Mujahedin of Iran group.
Fourteen gunmen were captured in Baquba.
In Turkey, four Turkish soldiers and two Kurdish rebels were killed during clahses.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
