Updated at 11:26 p.m. EDT, Sept. 17, 2008
The Ramadan spike in bombings continues with another series of explosions in the capital. At least 18 Iraqis were killed, and another 79 were wounded across Iraq. Ten U.S. soldiers died in separate incidents. Also, Turkey’s cabinet is seeking a new mandate to launch attacks on Kurdish guerillas based in northern Iraq.
Today, a Chinook helicopter crashed west of Basra, killing seven American soldiers. One U.S. soldier was killed in a non-combat incident. Another U.S. soldier was killed in a non-combat incident today as well. Also, one American soldier died of an illness.
In other U.S. military news, three American soldiers were charged with murder in connection with the deaths of four Iraqis last year. Four other soldiers were charged with conspiracy. The victims were detainees in U.S. custody.In a separate incident, an American soldier is being held in connection with the deaths of two other Americans who died Sunday in a non-combat event. The soldier allegedly shot a superior and a fellow soldier.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki admitted that a U.S.-Iraqi security deal is no longer imminent.
An Interior Ministry commander said that since Diyala province in under control, operations would now focus on Mosul. However, a security operation was already launched in Mosul this year and failed to provide adequate results. Meanwhile, Diyala still suffers violent attacks, some of them allegedly at the hands of security forces.
In Baghdad, eight people were killed and 25 others were wounded when a pair of bombs was detonated successively in Harthiya. In Zayouna, a bomb killed a policeman and wounded five others. In Karrada, a bomb wounded six people. Three people were wounded during a second bombing in Karrada. Six people were wounded when a bomb targeting an army patrol blew up in eastern Baghdad. In Mansour, gunmen lobbed a hand grenade at a group of people, wounding four of them. Two dumped bodies were found. Seven people were injured during shelling in Shabb. Gunmen killed two people and wounded two more in Zaafaraniyah. Also, twenty suspects were detained.
Gunmen attacked a car near Rashad, killing three passengers and injuring a fourth.
In Baiji, six people were wounded when a bomb was detonated at a marketplace. A storeowner was kidnapped as well.
In Mosul, the deputy governor was killed while at a mosque in al–Falah. Gunmen killed a student last night. A muslim cleric was wounded in a drive-by shooting in Muthanna. One Iraqi soldier and three civilians were wounded yesterday in previously unreported bomb attacks. Two policemen were wounded during a roadside bombing today. Also, four suspects were detained.
A bomb killed the leader of an Awakening Council (Sahwa) in Ramadi.
Four civilians were wounded during a bomb blast in Tal Afar last night. Three soldiers were wounded in a separate bombing today.
Eight suspects were detained across Kirkuk.
A weapons cache was found in Ninewah province.
Two kidnap victims were liberated in separate incidents in Basra province. Some of the kidnappers were apprehended.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
