At least 164 people were killed, but some of them died over the weekend during an assault on an army base in Anbar. Another 133 were wounded. Also, there are unconfirmed reports that an underling to Grand Ayatollah Kazem al-Haeri has been kidnapped.
Islamic State militants have apparently continued their assault on historic shrines in Iraq. They blew up the Arbaeen Wali shrine, which is said to contain the 7th century remains of 40 martyrs who contributed to the founding of Tikrit. Last week, the Saladin Castle, birthplace of the revered leader, was also destroyed.
The number of soldiers killed during the weekend attacks in the Saqlawiya and Sijr area has risen. Forty soldiers had already been reported killed when militants took over an army base in Anbar province. Anbar’s police chief says that 89 are now known dead, an increase of 49 victims. Another 85 are believed kidnapped. Security forces also assisted 43 wounded soldiers.
In Mosul, militants executed a woman, who was a civil rights lawyer, for apostasy. She was kidnapped last week after making anti-militant statements online and tortured before facing a firing squad.
In Mahmoudiya, a bomb near an administration building killed three people and wounded 18 more. A second blast killed two and wounded eight near a hospital
Eleven civilians were killed and 15 were wounded during airstrikes in Duluiya and Mutassim. Tribal fighters killed five militants.
In Tikrit, airstrikes killed many militants hiding in residential areas. Eight tribal fighters were killed and 16 were wounded in clashes.
Two shepherds were executed in Yathrib.
Leaflets urging civilians to leave Hawija were dropped today.
An airstrike near Azariya killed four militants, including a wali.
Near Tuz, an airstrike killed three militant officials.
Security forces in Muqdadiya killed a militant leader and three aides. Clashes left seven volunteer fighters and 15 militants dead.
Airstrikes in Dabs killed 15 militants and wounded 30 more.
Fifteen militants were killed in an airstrike in Tal Kief.
In Ramadi, an airstrike killed 11 militants, including their leader.
Eight militants were killed in Mansouriya.
An airstrike in Tel al-Ward targeted men laying trenches for battle; one was killed and three were wounded.
Many militants were killed west of Kirkuk.
