At least six Iraqis were killed and 31 more were wounded in new attacks. An unknown number of people were also wounded during clashes that broke out in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. Meanwhile, Kaitab Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a Monday attack that left five U.S. troops dead.
Iraqis took the streets today to denounce the lack of progress in addressing their most basic needs. Among the cities where they held protests were Baghdad, Basra and Hilla. Vehicle travel was banned in Diyala province and in the city of Tikrit over possible demonstrations. Mosul forces also implemented strict measures, while a demonstration was completely stopped in Kut.
Trying to defuse any potential violence, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki yesterday announced a second 100-day deadline for change; however, pro- and anti-Maliki groups clashed in Tahrir Square after several thousand Maliki supporters arrived.
The Iraqi Government, meanwhile, held a reconciliation conference and invited several Sunni insurgent groups to the meeting. Meanwhile, the Iraqi army is still seen as being highly dysfunctional.
Four Iraqis were killed and 20 others were wounded in an attack in Salman Pak.
In Baghdad, a sticky bomb killed one person and wounded four more in the Saidiya district. Three people were wounded in a blast in Adhamiya. A blast in Zaafaraniya wounded three people. The Green Zone suffered a missile attack. A bomb on Palestine St. damaged a liquor store, but no casualties were reported.
A bomb blast in Tuz Khormato wounded a policeman.
The body of a taxi driver was discovered in Hatra.
