Iraqi Forces Clear Out Sunni Protest Camp; 45 Killed, 122 Wounded

At least 45 people were killed today, and another 122 were wounded. Clashes related to an Iraqi security operation took place in three Anbar province towns. Scattered violence occurred across central and northern Iraq.

The Iraqi government kept its promise to forcibly clear out a Sunni protest camp on a highway in Ramadi. At least 12 people were killed there and in nearby Hit, and as many as 40 more were wounded, including women and children, when demonstrators or insurgents exchanged gunfire with security forces. At least 44 lawmakers resigned as Sunni politicians urged resistance. Hundreds of people attempted to reach the camp today but were turned away.

Over the weekend, security forces had arrested a local member of parliament who supported the demonstrators. Shi’ite Prime Minister had told the demonstrators to clear themselves out ahead of the operation. Maliki claims that the camp was used to house insurgents.

Clashes also erupted in Falluja where five people were killed and 15 more were wounded. A suicide bomber was killed separately.

A captain and his son were killed in a Baiji suicide bombing that also left nine others wounded. The bodies of three soldiers were discovered.

Five soldiers were killed in an ambush in Shurqat. A bomb killed one policeman and wounded seven more.

In Mosul, a suicide bomber killed four people, including a civilian, and wounded three more. A sticky bomb wounded a corporal. Several bodyguards were wounded when a bomb targeting a lawmaker exploded.

In Hamdaniya, gunmen killed a woman and an Asayesh agent. A mayor and teacher were also gunned down.

A bomb killed two policemen and wounded four more in Tuz Khormato.

In Tikrit, a bomb targeting the vice chairman of the provincial council wounded four bodyguards. Four family members were wounded in the bombing of a policeman’s home. A policeman was killed and four more were wounded in a blast. Clashes left 11 civilians with injuries.

In Husseiniya, a civilian was killed and six more were wounded in a blast.

An imam was gunned down in Muqdadiya.

In Kirkuk, six people were wounded in a bombing. Four children were wounded in a separate blast. Two children were abducted.

Two policemen were wounded in Baquba bombing.

Gunmen wounded a lieutenant colonel in Balad.

A sticky bomb wounded a colonel in Qayara.

In Rutba, security forces killed a gunman.

Author: Margaret Griffis

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