Updated at 10:20 EST, Nov. 9, 2009
Iraq is awaiting the presidential commission’s approval of Jan. 21 as the date for the next national election. Yesterday’s passing of a contentious elections law was necessary before a polling timetable could be set. Meanwhile, at least five Iraqis were killed and 16 more were wounded across Iraq. Also, three U.S. servicemembers were killed.
Two U.S. pilots were killed yesterday during the “hard landing” of a helicopter in Salah ad Din province. The crash is under investigation. In Anbar province, a U.S. Marine died of non-combat injuries. A roadside bomb damaged a U.S. vehicle in Samarra, but no casualties have as yet been reported.
In Mosul, ten people were wounded in a hand grenade attack. A green grocer was killed in al-Nabi Younes and then another civilian was killed in a separate shooting. Three shells fell across parts of Mosul but no casualties were reported.
A female body was discovered half-buried just north of Kut. Her brother was later arrested for her murder.
Gunmen in Kirkuk killed a Sadrist leader. He was a vocal opponent of integrating Kirkuk into the Kurdish Autonomous Region. Two suspects were arrested during security operations.
In Arbil, gunmen shot and killed a Kurdish security officer.
Two civilians were injured during a blast in Fallujah. At least two policemen were also wounded in that or a second blast. . The city is under a vehicle ban, while security personnel look for wanted men.
A car belonging to an Awakening Council (Sahwa) leader in Buhriz was damaged when a bomb attached to it was detonated. One bystander was injured.
In Baghdad, the daughter of a journalist was kidnapped. A sticky bomb wounded one civilian in New Baghdad.
A Sahwa leader was arrested in Baquba for carrying out armed operations. The Sahwa have worked with U.S. and Iraqi government forces to help reduce violence; however, some are former resistance fighters and many are annoyed that the Iraqi government has not kept promises made to them.
Hundreds demonstrated in Amara, where residents demanded the removal of concrete security barriers.
A wanted man was captured in Rashad.
Sixteen suspects were detained across Basra province.
Deputy Prime Minister Rafie al-Issawi asked that people in Zinjili be compensated for military operations that caused them problems.
