Updated at 6:45 p.m. EST, Feb. 24, 2009
One U.S. soldier was killed and three others were injured during an armed attack in Mosul. At least five Iraqis were killed and 15 others were wounded across the country. Meanwhile, a Sunni lawmaker is demanding parliament form a special committee to look into violence perpetrated by other parliamentarians. Also, South Korea and Iraq inked a deal that will allow the Asian country to help rebuild Iraq’s social infrastructure in exchange for oil and gas. And, British officials blocked the release of documents that would illuminate discussions that led to the UK joining the Coalition.
Gunmen dressed as policemen, or policemen themselves, attacked a group of U.S. servicemembers that met with police officials in Mosul. Several conflicting reports came out during the day, but the U.S. military issued a press release that clarified the number of casualties: Four U.S. soldiers were wounded during the attack, but one later died of his wounds. One Iraqi interpreter was killed and another was wounded.
The leader of parliament’s Sunni bloc, Saleh al-Mutlaq, demanded that lawmakers form a special committee that will look into allegations of abuse tied to members of parliament. This request came on the heels of allegations that fellow politician, Mohammed al-Dayni, was involved in such abuses. Dayni denied the allegations but claimed they are part of a campaign to silence him.
In other political news, Sunni lawmakers in Ninewa province have refused to form an alliance with Kurdish politicians unless the Kurds change their leadership. Much tension exists between Sunnis and Kurds in the multi-ethnic province, and both sides have traded accusations of abuse and violence.
In Mosul, three policemen were wounded when a grenade tossed at them exploded. Gunmen also tossed a grenade at a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan office, where the blast injured two women. A policeman was shot to death west of the city.
In Baghdad, 15 suspects were arrested, and two hostages were freed. Eight people were injured when a pair of bombs went of on Palestine Street.
Three gunmen were killed during a shootout in Mandili that involved U.S. and Iraqi troops.
Three al-Qaeda suspects were detained in Baquba.
In Hawija, a man was injured while allegedly planting a roadside bomb. Seven suspects were captured.
Gunmen kidnapped a man outside a church in Kirkuk. Four members of a militant cult were detained.
A bomb was defused in Muqdadiya.
Security forces seized an ammunitions cache.
Five detainees were cleared of all charges and released in Fallujah. A roadside bomb left no casualties.
Four suspects were detained on charges of terrorism in Basra. Over sixty others were arrested on various criminal charges or for not having a proper license for their vehicles. A gang was also arrested.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
