Updated at 8:10 p.m. EST, Jan. 27, 2009
At least three Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in the latest violence. A couple of the attacks appeared to be election-related, but an expected uptick in such attacks has not yet been seen. No Coalition deaths were reported. Separately, a British tribunal has ordered the government to release the minutes from a 2003 Cabinet discussion on the Iraq invasion, while back in the U.S., senators questioned the role of private contractors. Tomorrow, U.S. President Obama will again discuss Iraq and Afghanistan with his advisors.
Many Shi’ite voters will sit out the election because it takes place during Arbaeen, a yearly pilgrimage that many of the faithful take to the holy city of Karbala. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has promised to “track down” those who threaten journalists during their election coverage, and the U.N. is helping Iraq implement strategies that will prevent vote fraud.
In Mosul, three Iraqi soldiers were killed and three others were wounded when a car bomb blew up near a Kurdish Democratic Party office; the soldiers were investigating the suspicious vehicle when it exploded. Gunmen unsuccessfully made an assassination attempt on an Assyrian Party member. Separately, four al-Qaeda suspects were detained.
In Baghdad, a senior customs official escaped injury when a roadside bomb blasted his motorcade, but three bodyguards were injured. Four security personnel were injured during operations that netted 30 suspects and liberated one hostage.
An unoccupied voting station was set ablaze in Fallujah.
No casualties were reported in Baquba after the home of a land forces commander was bombed today.
Diyala province has completed its preparations for this Saturday’s elections, but some have complained that it is too soon to hold elections there as sectarian friction is still too thick there.
A weapons cache was discovered near Karbala.
Two suspects were detained in Mahaweel.
Greece has offered to help Iraq rebuild its cultural institutions and repair damaged archaeological sites.
The drama continues at Camp Ashraf where Iranian refugees threaten to use legal means to remain within Iraq. The group are afraid to return home and no third country has come forward to take them. Members of the group were once members of the
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
