Despite a Sunni attempt to move forward in creating a new government, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki effectively destroyed hope for a quick resolution. Without a solid government in place and strong leadership for the military forces, Iraq will certainly fall further into chaos. At least 105 people died today and 39 more were injured.
Politics:
Yesterday, the largest Sunni political bloc put forth Salim al-Jabouri as their candidate for Speaker of the Parliament, a post that is unofficially reserved for them. However, Maliki said Jabouri would only be accepted if he, Maliki, returns for a third term as premier. That post is left to the Shi’ites, and his State of Law party won the largest amount of seats in the new parliament. With that condition in place, not enough votes were secured, so no speaker was selected, and the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday.
Jabouri was at one time within the sights of the Maliki machine. He was accused of terrorism after Jabouri, while serving on parliament’s human rights commission, called out Maliki on prisoner abuse in the jails.
A report on Iraq’s military forces suggests that the troops are so saturated with Shi’ite or Sunni extremists that they could be a serious risk to any American advisors.
Fighting:
At least 12 security members were killed as militants attempted to takeover government buildings in Duluiya. Two militants and two civilians also were killed. Other nearby towns were taken. They also destroyed an important bridge. Tribal fighters reportedly killed 40 militants.
The bodies of 10 Shabak men who had been kidnapped were recovered in Mosul. Bombs killed two women and wounded a third one.
In Baghdad, a bomb killed three people and wounded seven more in Bayaa. Gunmen killed a civilian. A body was also discovered.
Three people were killed in a blast in Yusufiya.
In Falluja, eight people were killed and 14 more were wounded.
A bomb in Ishaqi killed four members of a police general’s family. Two people were also wounded.
In Jurf al-Sakhar, clashes left an Iraqi commander with injuries.
Ten volunteers were wounded during clashes in Fadhiliya.
A militant leader and his aide were killed near b, while four other colleagues were injured.
Parts of Muqdadiya and Sadur are back in the hands of government forces. Seventeen militants were killed in Sadur.
