17 Killed in Iraq; Security Forces Stop Sunnis from Reaching Mosque

At least 17 people were killed and 10 more were wounded in scattered attacks.

In Baghdad, security forces again prevented a group of worshippers from reaching a mosque for Friday prayers. Five people reported light injuries from assaults with pressurized water hoses and batons. Last week, the mosque was forced to cancel prayer services because no one was able to reach it. This week most of the worshippers did arrive, and even the speaker of the house attended.

Near Baiji gunmen killed eight soldiers, who were all traveling to a camp in Taiji. Two more soldiers and their driver were wounded.

A Sahwa leader and his three sons were killed during an attack on their home near Wajihiya. Two of the sons were killed in a field as they tried to flee.

In Tal Afar, two policemen were shot dead. A car bomb left no casualties.

A woman was killed and two others were wounded in a roadside bombing near Bani Saad.

A female political candidate was assassinated while visiting relatives in Areesh.

A landmine killed a man in Jbela.

In Baquba, a bomb wounded a civilian and a policeman. Three policemen were wounded in a blast.

Several bombs were discovered and safely defused at a Hammam al-Alil primary school.

Author: Margaret Griffis

Margaret Griffis is a journalist from Miami Beach, Florida and has been covering Iraqi casualties for Antiwar.com since 2006.