At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in attacks across the country. One of the casualties came from an Iranian artillery attack launched into Iraqi Kurdistan. Meanwhile, the political deadlock over the next prime minister continued, but U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called for a resolution soon.
While speaking to U.S. veterans in Indiana, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden urged Iraqi leaders to hasten the formation of the new government. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki again promised the government would be seated soon, but an Iraqiya MP announced today that the Sadrists would lend support to their candidate, Ayad Allawi. The Sadrists had been in discussions with Maliki’s State of Law Party but could not complete a deal because of their opposition to another Maliki term. This Iraqiya-Sadrist development has yet to be formally announced and could dissolve as well. The Maliki could also try to derail it themselves.
Iran resumed shelling suspected Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) targets in the Qandil Mountains north of Suleimaniyah, wounding one person.
Gunmen killed seven employees delivering salaries to a refinery in Baiji and stole 750 million dinars.
A blast near a Fallujah bus station wounded four people, including a policeman.
At least one soldier was killed and two people were wounded in an attack in Khalidiya.
In Baghdad, two people were killed and three more were wounded during a mortar attack in New Baghdad. An overnight bombing at a coffee shop in Saidiya left two dead and 12 wounded. A bomb in Furat wounded two plainclothes policemen. Gunmen wounded a retired general and his brother in Kadhimiya.
In Mosul, a hand grenade attack wounded three people.
A bullet-riddled body was found in Khalis.
A roadside bomb targeting a U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team near Nasariya left no casualties.
Six Naqshabandiya suspects were picked up in Saidiya.
Four Jaish al-Mujahedeen suspects, including an emir were captured in Kirkuk.
An Iranian was arrested in Mandali for illegally entering the country.
A suspected al-Qaeda bomb maker was detained in Baaj.
Anbar province has banned motorcycles that do not carry the proper registration. Also, each police station will now house an anti-explosives department.
