Updated at 7:50 p.m. EDT, Apr. 1, 2009
Bombings continued across northern Iraq today. At least 15 people were killed or found dead and 25 more were wounded in violent attacks. Also, a U.S. soldier died in a non-combat incident in Salah ad Din province.
Police estimate that 30% of the Sunni Awakening Council (Sahwa) members involved in a riot in Baghdad last weekend fled the Fadhil area still armed; however, the rest of the 250-strong chapter handed over their weapons. Clashes erupted after the group’s leader was arrested on terrorism charges. Many Sahwa members believe this is an attempt by the Shi’ite government to undermine their role in Iraq’s security. The group is credited with being a major force behind the reduction in violence.
U.S. forces clashed with gunmen in Duluiya. Three men were arrested, but no casualties were reported.
In Mosul, a car bomb blast wounded 12 people near Qasr al-Mutran. Gunmen killed a primary school teacher in a drive-by shooting. A seven-year-old was killed during a bombing in al-Akha. A bombing in Kharzaq killed two brothers. Police reported having arrested more than 100 suspects since Feb. 20 when the latest security operation was launched.
Nine people were wounded during a bombing in Kirkuk.
Baghdad, 29 suspects were arrested. Police reported recovering 11 dumped bodies across the city during March. Two people were injured today when bomb planted on their car was detonated in Utifiyah.
During Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi visit to Sadr City, gunmen fired a rocket upon an armored vehicle. Two Iraqi soldiers were wounded.
Five suspects were arrested in Hilla.
Seventy-five suspects were detained in continuing operations across Basra.
Al-Garma police arrested 18 suspects.
Police arrested three suspected Islamic State of Iraq members in Tabaj.
A large ammunition and explosives cache was discovered near Amara.
Concrete barriers were removed in Fallujah, allowing traffic to return to normal.