Updated at 8:05 p.m. EST, Jan. 12, 2008
U.S. Vice President-elect Joe Biden took a secret trip to Baghdad as a series of bombs killed or injured dozens of people in the capital. At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 39 more were wounded in Baghdad. An unknown number of Iraqi soldiers were killed or wounded in Kirkuk as well. Also, a U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries near Samarra, while a Marine was killed in Anbar. Meanwhile, current U.S. President George Bush wondered aloud during a press conference whether or not democracy in Iraq will survive.
In Baghdad, a bomb struck an ammunitions truck in Yarmouk, where three Iraqi soldiers were burned to death and four civilians were wounded. A car bomb followed by a second bomb killed three people and wounded 10 in New Baghdad. Two people were killed and six were wounded during a bombing in Karrada. A bomb near Shaab Stadium wounded seven people, including three policemen. In Ghazaliya, a bomb targeting a police patrol wounded four people, including a civilian. Another bomb wounded four people in a central neighborhood. One civilian was killed and another was wounded in Bab al-Sheikh. Also, one body was found in Doura.
In Mosul, a Senior Islamic State in Iraq leader was detained. A bomb targeting a U.S. patrol left no casualties. Another bomb, this one targeting an Iraqi patrol, injured two soldiers. A third bomb injured a policeman while two other bombs left no casualties.
Kirkuk Police detained eight people following a bomb blast that left four soldiers killed or wounded.
A roadside bomb in Dhi Qar left no casualties.
A suspect was arrested near Hilla.
Ten people were arrested under suspicion of tearing up electoral leaflets in Karbala.
A suspected kidnapping gang was detained in Muqdadiyah.
A large stockpile of weapons was discovered in Suwayrah.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
