At least 241 were killed today and 74 more were wounded. Another 20 Peshmerga troops are missing and possibly dead. Baghdad saw a number of bombings today, but in Kirkuk civilians were killed in airstrikes.
Politics:
In his weekly address, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki again complained about the "illegal" nomination of Haider al-Abadi and said he’s waiting on the Supreme Court’s decision on his challenge against Abadi. Maliki has a history of manipulating the courts in his favor. Because he has lost support, it is unclear how he will enforce any decision against Abadi. Even less clear is what Maliki will do should the court rule in favor of Abadi.
The European Union was unable to agree to a presence in Iraq but allowed members states to individually embark on their own operations. France says it will supply arms to the Kurds, who want weapons urgently. The Czech government also wants to supply the Kurds. Meanwhile, the British have promised to help with the humanitarian effort but are, so far, rejecting military intervention.
U.S. Special Forces dropped in on Sinjar Mountain last night to evaluate the situation. They feel it is not necessary to launch a mass evacuation, as the refugees are in better shape than first thought. Early evacuations and food drops lessened the urgency, and airstrikes stunted the Islamic State’s ability to harm the refugees.
Still, the United Nations estimates that as many as 30,000 refugees are still trapped on Sinjar Mountain. Many people have already escaped to Iraqi Kurdistan, but they also are in need of immediate aid.
Fighting:
In Baghdad, a bomb killed 10 people and wounded 21 more in Baghdad al-Jadida.
A bomb in Bayaa killed six people and wounded nine more. Nine people were wounded by a blast in Amil. Gunmen in Ghazaliya killed a civilian. Two people were killed and seven more were wounded in a bombing in Karrada; it was the second bomb that was detonated near the premier designate’s family home since his nomination. Security forces killed 14 militants. Another militant died while planting a bomb. West of Baghdad, 33 militants were killed.
Airstrikes in Shamar village of Daquq left eight civilians dead and 20 wounded. Five people were killed and eight were wounded in another airstrike in Albado village.
In Kirkuk, a roadside bomb wounded three civilians. Two militants were killed when the explosives they were transporting blew up.
Shelling forced 3,000 families to flee Haditha, according to a provincial councilman.
In Mosul, a drone bombed a large water works and it no longer operates. A militant "prince" and three aides were killed.
Military forces in Adhaim said that 120 militants were killed during operations.
Fourteen militants were killed in Yusufiya.
Peshmerga forces killed 11 militants in Jalawla.
In Jurf al-Sakhar, seven militants were killed, including a financial officer. Thirty Peshmerga are missing and are probably dead.
