At least five Iraqis were wounded on a very quiet prayer day. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has sided with Iran in support of the Assad government in Syria.
Despite worldwide condemnation for a widespread crackdown in Syria, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has apparently sided with Iran in giving his support to the Assad regime and called on Syrian protestors to avoid sabotaging the state. The statement underscores how the Maliki has shifted alliances away from the United States, which has all but called for Assad’s ouster, and towards Tehran, long a partner to Syria.
In Baghdad, three policemen were wounded in a blast in a southwest neighborhood.
In Mosul, police shot and wounded two men who were tossing grenades at them. The provincial governor’s cousin was kidnapped.
Police in Hilla liberated a female kidnap victim.
The Iraqi Army has surrounded a police directorate in Amara following the possibly illegal sacking of the director-general. Last night, dozens protested in support of Major General Ismail Arrar.>
Three rockets targeting a U.S. target near Muqdadiya were found and dismantled.
Seven suspects were arrested in Diyala province.
