At least six Iraqis were killed in shootings today, three of them in attacks against security personnel. Another man was wounded in today’s only reported bombing. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has denied Associated Press reports that the U.S. military has dropped plans to retain thousands of troops in Iraq.
In Baghdad, gunmen killed a lieutenant colonel working for the Interior Ministry. An intelligence service brigadier general was shot to death in a separate location.
In Mosul, a gunman who had just killed a civilian was himself shot to death by police. Another civilian was killed in a separate incident.
A policeman was killed in a small arms attack near his Abbara home.
A blast in Kirkuk wounded a civilian.
Police in the Hilla area fired warning shots at a convoy carrying the governor of Najaf province when the motorcade failed to stop at a checkpoint. The reason for the refusal was not released, but many Iraqis fear being caught at fake checkpoints set up by gunmen. Likewise, police fear being attacked while standing post. The policemen are under investigation.
The Iraqi army, along with local police, is tightening security in Diyala province ahead of the U.S. withdrawal.
