At least three Iraqis were killed and 46 more were wounded in new violence. Meanwhile the Council of Ministers honored the victims of a chemical massacre in Halabja 23 years ago during a minute-long observance today.
Former Saddam confidante and foreign minister Tariq Aziz was given a life sentence in a new case against him; however, the sickly 74-year-old is already awaiting execution on previous charges. Meanwhile, six al-Qaeda defendants were given death sentences in a separate court case.
Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi described Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki‘s delay in naming candidates for top posts in the defense, interior and national security ministries as illogical, frustrating and added that the country is facing a dilemma over it. Additionally, the United States has had to make adjustments to its military drawdown plans because of the delay. In December, Maliki made himself "acting minister" in the unfilled posts, so the delay could be deliberate on his part and certainly adds to criticisms that Maliki is creating a new dictatorship.
An Iranian official at the embassy in Najaf has confirmed that Iraq had granted contractor licenses to Iranian security personnel to operate within Iraq.
Following the resignations of two Kirkuk leaders, Kurd and Turkmen politicians have stepped up to fill the vacancies; however, the Arab bloc has rejected the unusual manner in which the appointments were made.
Two were killed and 35 others were wounded during a car bombing in Kirkuk. The car was parked next to the Kirkuk General Hospital, and the bomb may have been targeting city’s director general of water and sewage.
In Baghdad, a bombing left six wounded in Karrada. Two people were wounded in an explosion in Zayouna. A blast wounded two in New Baghdad.
Gunmen attacked an Awakening council member’s home in Buhriz, where they killed him and wounded his wife.
Twenty-eight Islamic State of Iraq suspects were captured across the country.
A bomb was defused in Balad Ruz.
A blast near Numaniya targeted a U.S. patrol but no casualties were reported.
In Basra, a blast targeting a U.S. patrol left no casualties. Eight suspects were arrested.
