A second major bombing in as many days blasted the Baghdad area, leaving dozens of casualties. Overall, at least 37 Iraqis were killed and another 84 were wounded across the country. A U.S. Marine was killed in a non-combat incident, and a Pakistani man was killed during a rocket attack at the Basra International Airport.
Meanwhile, British authorities announced that U.K. troops plan to begin a gradual drawdown at the end of the month, and the top U.S. commander said there was little chance the Iraqi government will want U.S. troops to remain beyond 2011.
A suicide bomber killed as many as 33 people during an attack on a tribal leaders and military personnel in Abu Ghraib. As many as 52 people were reported wounded. Children, journalists, and other civilians were among the casualties in this Baghdad suburb. Dignitaries on their way to a tribal conference had stopped to tour a market when the bomber struck.
Two people were killed and six more were wounded during a roadside bombing near Mosul in Hamdaniya. Three suspects were picked up in connection with the bombing.
In Mosul, 12 people were wounded when a grenade was lobbed at their wedding celebration. Gunmen stormed a home where they killed a woman. West of the city, a six-year-old girl was killed when a hand grenade she was playing with blew up.
In Baghdad, three sticky bombs and a roadside bomb were detonated near U.S. and Iraqi troops in Hurriyah; 10 civilians were injured. A roadside bomb wounded two people. Also, Iraqi authorities blocked a demonstration supporting a journalist who threw his shoes at then-U.S. President George Bush.
An Awakening Council member was wounded during a failed kidnapping attempt in Rashad.
In Kirkuk, a police official was wounded when a roadside bomb was detonated.
Nine suspects were arrested in Baquba. An abducted child was freed and his kidnappers were arrested.
Eighteen suspects were detained in Dhi Qar.
A civil servant in Diyala province was discovered to have stolen money to fund armed groups.
A large stockpile of weapons was found in Fallujah.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
