At least one Iraqi was killed and 29 others were wounded in new violence and one previous attack. Iraq also saw protests again today as demonstrators filtered out of mosques and onto the streets.
At least 500 demonstrators each rallied in Baghdad and Falluja, while smaller protests took place in Basra, Hilla, Najaf, and Ramadi. Security forces in the capital denied beating any protestors while forcing them out of Tahrir Square. Nasariya‘s protestors focused on mistreatment from security officials in previous demonstrations. In Suleimaniya, where thousands have gathered on a daily basis, one man tried to set himself ablaze but was stopped by fellow protestors.
Former Sahwa fighters, who are credited with reducing violence in Iraq, say they have given up almost all hope in finding jobs with the government.
Near Kirkuk, a bomb exploded at a souk in the Kurdish town Raheem Awa and wounded 24 people.
In Baghdad, last night’s attempted gold robbery left three more wounded than had previously been reported. A bomb in Mashtal killed one person and wounded two others.
A rebuilt mosque may be a welcome sight in Samarra; however, an ambitious redevelopment plan for the neighborhood surrounding it could displace Sunni families who have lived near the mosque for generations.
In an odd switch, a man was arrested for smuggling weapons out of Iraq and into Syria.
