At least nine Iraqis were killed and 56 more were wounded in new and old violence. Some of the dead were wounded in Thursday’s deadly protests in Suleimanya, while the lion’s share of today’s wounded were injured in protests re-ignited by an attack on an independent television station in the same city last night.
Iran has agreed to increase electricity sales to Iraq. Insufficient supply is one of the key demands being made in many of the protests that continue across the country. Although this quick fix could have stifled some dissent, parliament is reneging on its promise to dramatically reduce its members’ salaries. Cuts will still be implemented but they will be smaller and likely to encourage complaints from the public.
Masked thugs attacked a television station overnight in Suleimaniya where they wounded one security guard. Blood splatter found at the scene suggests that at least one of the attackers was also wounded. Equipment was stolen, and the building that housed the Kurdish NRT Channel was burned down. Many believe it was attacked in retaliation for having broadcast images of earlier protests. Meanwhile, hospital sources said that 48 people were wounded in today’s demonstrations, including 11 casualties who had been shot. Also, the number of deaths from Thursday’s demonstration rose by five dead to seven overall. The number had reached as high as nine on Thursday, but fell to two during the day.
A suicide bomber struck near a Shirqat mosque, killing two people and wounding six others.
In Mosul, gunmen killed a woman.
A hostage was liberated in Hammam al-Alil, and three kidnappers were arrested.
No casualties were reported after a sticky bomb blasted a vehicle belonging to a Sahwa member in Kirkuk.
About 300 protestors in Fallujah demanded the resignation of Anbar’s governor and provincial council.
In Nasariya, about 200 college students marched for jobs.
Nearby, hundreds of protestors in al-Batha demanded the replacement of a city council they claim in corrupt. They also complained of poor services and few jobs.
Twenty suspects were arrested in Tayyeb and their weapons were confiscated.
