The Iraqiya bloc announced that it is seeking to form a national "consensus" to oust Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki from office. The political party says it is joining forces with the Kurdish Bloc, National Coalition, and other authorities including religious figures, to "withdraw confidence" from the prime minister. Although the prime minister’s party, State of Law, did not win the 2010 election, Maliki was able to retain the premiership through a deal that took months to work out.
In recent months, the Maliki government has engaged in activities that angered the Sunnis, the Kurds and the Sadrists. A National Conference meant to decrease tensions had to be cancelled earlier this month. If he should lose the political support of these three groups in Iraq, it will be difficult for Maliki to remain in office. Leaders from all three groups have either intimated or outright called Maliki a dictator in the making. Last week, the arrests of two election officials on previously thrown-out corruption charges could have been the last straw these groups will tolerate from the Maliki office. Many believe the arrests are a prelude to canceling the next election.
Meanwhile, at least 19 Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded. Most of the attacks in recent days have involved only one or two victims.
Four Shi’ite farmers were killed and four more were wounded in a drive-by shooting in the predominantly Sunni village of Rashidiya.
An al-Qaeda suspect blew up his own home killing himself and four family members when security forces arrived at his Saadiya home. Three children, who were from five to 15-years-old, were killed in the explosion. Three security personnel were wounded. Separately, a bombing at an abandoned home left no casualties.
In Jalawla, a bomb killed one person and wounded three others. A separate bombing left no casualties.
One policeman was killed and three others were wounded in a bombing in Baaj.
A policeman was shot dead while riding his motorcycle in Tuz Khormato.
Gunmen in Mansouriya killed a policeman.
A civil servant was shot to death in Tal al-Zahab.
A civilian was gunned down in Balad.
In Mosul, a policeman was shot dead. Gunmen also killed a civilian.
A policeman’s body was found riverside in Dali Abbas.
A young man’s body was found in Safra.
No one was wounded when gunmen fired upon a Babel province councilor.
