Updated at 7:05 p.m. EST, March 5, 2009
A significant bombing south of Baghdad shattered the relative peace of the last few days. Dozens of casualties were reported. Overall, at least 21 Iraqis were killed and another 73 were wounded across Iraq. No Coalition casualties were reported. Meanwhile, Sweden urged the European Union to take more Iraqi refugees.
A car bomb was detonated at a livestock market in Hamza. At least 14 were killed and 55 more were wounded. The explosion took place just south of what was once called the “Triangle of Death” in Babel province. That area was once extremely violent but has been relatively peaceful in recent months. Official wondered if the bombing was related to anger over recent provincial elections.
Police officials said that a suspected senior member of al-Qaeda was killed during clashes in Anbar province’s Hawran Valley.
In Mosul, a suicide bomber killed an Iraqi soldier and wounded seven people. A roadside bomb wounded a policeman and a civilian woman. Another bomb left no casualties. An Iraqi soldier drove past a roadside bomb which exploded and killed him.
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb in Nisour Sq. wounded three people. Gunmen wounded a brigadier general. A policeman was killed. A roadside bomb killed a Sahwa member and wounded three civilians.
An education official and his driver were wounded during a roadside bombing near Tikrit.
Amara police ordered a car to stop at a checkpoint. When the car continued forward police killed one occupant while the other one fled.
A U.S.-backed, Awakening Council (Sahwa) patrol stormed a home in Samarra where they arrested seven suspects and seized a number of weapons.
A wanted man was arrested in Kut. Police separately freed a kidnapped woman.
An arms cache was found in Dhi Qar province, while seven wanted men were captured in different locations.
Sixteen suspects were arrested across Basra province.
A large arms cache was found in Falluja.
Nine suspects were arrested in Baquba.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
