Two coaltions, on either side of the ongoing dispute over Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s ability to remain premier, have dug further in to their respective positions. One side insists Maliki will remain premier, while the other settled plans to meet again. Meanwhile, at least six Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded. Three of the wounded may have been foreign pilgrims.
Four parties within the National Alliance super-bloc said they will continue to support Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Those parties remaining loyal are The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, the Badr Organization, the State of Law Coalition, and the Fadhila Party. Meanwhile, the four political leaders demanding that Maliki be replaced – Shi’ite Moqtada a-Sadr, Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, Iraqiya leader Ayad Allawi, and Speaker of the House Osama al-Nujaifi – announced they would meet again, this time in Mosul. Two previous meetings were held in Najaf and Kurdistan. They want Maliki to adhere to the terms Arbil Agreement which was signed in 2010.
In Mosul, a bomb targeting the deputy chairman of the Ninewa council exploded, killing one woman and wounding eight others; the deputy chairman was not present. Two gunmen were killed as they were handling a bomb.
Gunmen killed a tribal leader and wounded two of his companions during an attack in Anbar province.
A mortar attack in Dujail killed one soldier and wounded four others. Three of the wounded were Shi’ite visitors, but no nationality was given.
Gunmen in Abu Saida killed a man then demolished his home. His wife and children witnessed the murder.
Four people were wounded when a bomb exploded at a Baquba bus stop.
A civilian was wounded when a bomb exploded outside his Samarra home.
