Updated at 7:35 p.m. EST, Dec. 4, 2008
At least 98 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 177 were wounded in today’s attack. Two U.S. soldiers were killed during a suicide bombing and a British soldier died during a shooting incident as well. A significant bombing occurred in Fallujah, while mass graves continue to be found in Diyala province. Meanwhile, U.S. President Bush welcomed the news that the Iraqi council gave their final approval to a U.S.-Iraqi security agreemen. Also, Azerbaijani troops formally handed over their operations to Iraqi troops during a ceremony ending their mission in Iraq.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed in Mosul during when a suicide car bomber blew up his cargo; nine civilians were wounded. A police officer was killed separately in the al-Burj Khana neighborhood. Three Iraqi soldiers were wounded during a bombing in Hay al-Araby. An off-duty policeman was wounded during a small arms attack in al-Majmouaa al-Thaqafiya.
A British soldier died from a gunshot wound to the head. The circumstances were not reported, but no enemy combatants were involved. This is the first British death since March.
Two suicide car bombers in Fallujah left 15 dead and 147 wounded outside two police stations. Six policemen were among the dead, and a half dozen homes were demolished. Fallujah is now under a curfew.
The Iraqi army found 25 bodies scattered across seven graves in Albu Toma today, and at least 42 more bodies in the greater region this week. Another 13 victims, who were found yesterday, bring this week’s total to 80 bodies from an area that has been described as an “al-Qaeda courthouse.” Last week, dozens of victims were discovered. Many of the victims were wearing military and police uniforms.
In Baghdad, a police official was wounded in Karrada during a roadside bomb attack targeting him; a separate bomb wounded three others. A bomb attack on Nidhal St. left three wounded. One person was killed and two more were wounded during a bombing late in the day in Bab al-Mudham. Also, 20 suspects were detained.
Four people were killed and 13 more were wounded in Baquba when a bicycle bomb was detonated in their midst.
Three bodies were discovered floating in the Tigris River near Suwayra. One was wearing a military uniform.
Four suspects were killed and 32 others were captured during U.S. military operations. The four were killed in Kirkuk where the largest of the raids took place.
In Balad Ruz, eight suspects were arrested.
Three gunmen were arrested in Imam Weis.
Two wanted men, one of them a policeman, were captured in Kut. A girl who had been kidnapped yesterday was liberated today, and one of her abductors was arrested.
Coalition forces arrested 10 suspects across northern and central Iraq.
A man was convicted of murder in the death of a former governor of Muthanna province and sentenced to death.
In Basra, 88 suspects were captured and 29 vehicles were confiscated.
Police in Missan captured a gang of murders believed responsible for 48 deaths across the province.
Meanwhile, testimony continues in a military court. Sgt. Joseph P. Mayo is accused of murdering four Iraqi detainees.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
