Updated at 5:20 EDT, Aug. 2, 2011
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 42 more were wounded in the latest violence. A coordinated attack on Kirkuk Christians failed to leave significant casualties when two of the bombs failed to explode. Meanwhile, Admiral Mike Mullen is still angling to have some U.S. troops remain after the end of the year withdrawal date.
Joint Chiefs of Staff head Admiral Mike Mullen is in Baghdad today, asking Iraqi lawmakers to decide whether or not American troops will stay past a year-end deadline. U.S. pushiness in this matter suggests a desire to remain, but Mullen also demanded that any request for troops must include an immunity deal for them.
Twenty-three people were wounded when a bomb exploded outside a Christian church in Kirkuk. Only one person was inside the church at the time, so most of the victims were in neighboring buildings or on the street. At least five Christians and four children were among the victims. Bombs were recovered from outside two other Christian churches in the city as well. Coincidentally, an Iraqi court sentenced three men to death for their part in a deadly attack on a Christian church in Baghdad last October.
Also in Kirkuk, a soldier was shot to death, while a civilian was wounded in a sticky bomb blast.
A coordinated double bombing killed two people and wounded six others in Abu Ghraib.
In Baghdad, a double bombing at a liquor store wounded ten people.
In Mansouriya, three people were killed, including Sahwa fighters, during an attack on their checkpoint.
A man was killed in a drive-by shooting in Saadiya.
Near Kirkuk, a roadside targeting a patrol wounded two soldiers.
