Updated at 8:35 p.m. EST, Nov. 15, 2008
At least 16 Iraqis were killed and 75 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Four U.S. servicemembers died in separate incidents, including a helicopter crash in Mosul. Meanwhile, Iraqi and U.S. negotiators have agreed on a draft of a controversial U.S.-Iraqi security pact that will allow U.S. troops to remain in Iraq after December. The draft now goes to the Cabinet and then Parliament for approval.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed when they snagged powerlines as they were trying to land their helicopter in Mosul. A roadside bomb killed a U.S. Marine in Ramadi yesterday. Meanwhile, a soldier passed away at Walter Reed hospital of as yet undetermined causes; he had been residing there since January when he was injured in a roadside bomb blast. Also, a U.S. helicopter crashed in Mosul. The crash was blamed on power cables. No casualties were reported.
A suicide bomb killed at least 11 people and wounded 36 others at a car dealership in Tal Afar.
In Mosul, a man was killed in a drive-by shooting on Thursday. A wanted man described as dangerous was captured.
In Baghdad, a car bomb killed three people ane wounded 25 more in Karrada. A bomb targeting a police patrol wounded seven people, including three policemen, in Atifiya. Three people were wounded in Mashtal when a bomb attached to an empty oil tank exploded. A roadside bomb in Amil wounded four people. Also, two dumped bodies were found.
Despite the violence, the Iraqi stock exchange thrives while operating in a no-frills manner in Karrada. Throughout Baghdad, musicians are coming out of hiding, including "headbangers."
A roadside bomb wounded three policemen near Fallujah.
In Kirkuk, a civilian man was wounded in a roadside bomb blast. A second bomb was defused. Elsewhere, a sticky bomb fell of a vehicle and exploded with causing injuries.
Diyala police released 23 innocent detainees housed at Bucca prison in Basra.
Nine suspects were detained in Souk al-Shyoukh.
In Hilla, about 3,000 councilmembers protested against remarks made by the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Massoud Barzani. He sees the tribal councils as tools for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to use for the expansion of his power. Another 300 people came out in support of Maliki during a demonstration in Tikrit. Demonstrations also took place in Hawija, Najaf, Karbala, Nasariya and Samawa.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
