Only one Iraqi was reported killed in unusually light violence. Seven more were wounded. No Coalition deaths were reported, but one recently returned soldier may have committed suicide in Virginia. Also, two British hostages recently handed over to British authorities may have been dead as long as 18 months.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stressed that Iraqi is ready to take over security from the U.S.; however, some exceptions are already coming to the fore. U.S. troops in volatile cities such as Mosul will encircle them. Troops will also continue to patrol in Basra after next week’s withdrawal. The Basra patrols are in conjunction with work by the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team. Also, mine resitant vehicle will be allowed in the cities.
In Baghdad, a motorbike killed one person and wounded four in Risala. A bomb in Mustansiriya wounded three more. A bomb targeting a U.S. patrol crossing a bridge between Doura and Saidiya left no casualties.
In Mosul, a mortar attack on a police station left no casualties.
A mortar depot was found in Numaniya.
A Sadrist official was freed after spending over two years in U.S. detention without charges filed against him. The U.S. military claimed the right to hold anyone deemed a threat to security indefinitely. A U.S.-Iraqi security pact negated that right at the beginning of this year.
In Ramadi, 37 detainees were released after charges against them could not be proved.
