Violence was very light ahead of Independence Day observations. At least two Iraqis were killed and four more were wounded in new attacks.
Residents of Anbar Province reported an increasing greater military presence since yesterday’s announcement that a Shi’ite super-coalition is supporting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a second turn as the premier. The surge risks antagonizing Sunnis, who may feel shut out of the political process. They supported the non-sectarian Iraqiya party in March elections. While the Iraqiya party won the most seats, it was not enough to guarantee the party a shot at the premiership. Iraqiya reiterated it would not support Maliki, even though he is appealing to Sunnis to join him.
In Mosul, one soldier was killed and three more were wounded in a bomb blast.
In Baghdad, one person was killed and another was wounded in a shooting in Adhamiya. No casualties were reported after mortars struck the Green Zone.
A U.S. airbase near Kirkuk came under rocket fire but no casualties were reported.
