At least five Iraqis were killed and 13 others were wounded in the latest incidents. A U.S. soldier died of non-combat causes near Balad yesterday, and a Syrian national was also killed. Meanwhile, Estonia has formally agreed to withdraw forces from Iraq.
A number of Shi’ite candidates appealed the results of last week’s provincial elections on the grounds that there was fraud. They say that the outcome did not match exit polling. Although the Sadrists did not field any candidates this year, the movement backed several independents. Their loss, and that of Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, was taken as a message that Iraqis were moving away from religious politics.
In Mosul, a policeman was injured when gunmen lobbed a grenade at a checkpoint. A roadside bomb wounded an Iraqi soldier. Police arrested a wounded gunman after clashes in western Mosul.
U.S. forces fired upon Arbaeen pilgrims near Diwaniya and injured two of them.
Three policemen were wounded during a roadside bomb in Aliawa.
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb wounded two policemen in Mansour. Four security personnel were wounded during operation in which 22 suspects were arrested.
One policeman was killed and three others were wounded when a roadside blasted them in Saidiya.
Iraqi forces killed at least four Iraqis and a Syrian during operations in Balad. Another 13 suspects were detained.
A body was found near Makhmour.
Gunmen have kidnapped a Fadhila Party candidate in Karbala.
A suspected Islamic State of Iraq leader was captured in Tal Afar.
An arms cache was seized in Fallujah.
A large mortar cache was confiscated in Missan province.
A large ammo cache was found near Hilla.
Ammo was seized near Nasariya.
Also, the number of Iraqi detainees in U.S. custody is dropping thanks to the daily release of 50 prisoners. A U.S.-Iraqi security agreement forces the U.S. to release detainees that are not wanted by Iraqi authorities. Over the years, many Iraqis have complained that they or their loved one have been detained without cause indefinitely by U.S. forces. The U.S. in response has claimed the right to hold anyone who may be an enemy of peace.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
