At least three Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded in the latest attacks. A U.S. soldier was also killed during a hostile attack in Baquba. Nearby, four Iranian tourists were killed and nine were wounded in a separate attack in Diyala province. Casualties were also reported in an attack in Fallujah.
Talks between the Iraqiya and State of Law parties broke off, endangering any hopes for a quick end to the political deadlock over the premiership. Ayad Allawi, head of the Iraqiya party, demanded an apology from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki over calling Iraqiya a "Sunni-bloc." The apology would be a pre-requisite for resuming coalition talks between the two parties. While Iraqiya has the support of many Sunnis across Iraq, they consider themselves non-sectarian.
A blast targeting a bus carrying pilgrims near Muqdadiya killed four Iranians and wounded nine more. An Iraqi policeman was also killed in the attack, while another Iraqi was wounded. The attack may have involved a suicide bomber. Women and children were among the victims.
In Mosul, armed forces engaged in random shooting killed a civilian and wounded his son. Gunmen killed a policeman. Nine suspects were detained.
In Baghdad, a sticky bomb wounded four people on Palestine Street. A bomb in Amil wounded a civilian. An al-Qaeda suspect was captured.
An unknown number of casualties were reported after a blast in Fallujah.
No casualties were reported in Basra, where a policeman’s home was targeted with bombs. Also, seven people were arrested in raids.
An explosion targeting a U.S. patrol left no casualties in Kirkuk. Two wanted suspects were arrested separately.
In Hawija, a blast targeting police left no casualties.
A suspected al-Qaeda emir was captured in Suwayra.
A suspect was detained in Badra.
An ammunition cache was confiscated in Khan Bani Saad.
Across Diyala province, 20 suspects were captured.
Security was tightened in Anbar province for the Ramadan observances.
Dhi Qar police banned demonstrations against electrical shortages and rationing.
