Tariq Aziz, who was foreign minister and deputy premier under Saddam, has died at the age of 79. A Chaldean Christian, Aziz spoke English fluently and was often featured in the Western media. He was sentenced to death in 2010 for “deliberate murder and crimes against humanity.” The death sentence was never carried out, and he spent his remaining years in and out of hospitals. The family had asked the government to free the sickly man on humanitarian grounds, but he died in prison on Friday, reportedly of a heart attack.
About two weeks ago, the United States began sending arms to the Iraqi military. Although a $1.6 billion fund was approved last year, it has taken months for the process to begin.
At least 18 were killed and two more were wounded:
Five civilians were killed in a roadside bombing near Baquba.
Near Kirkuk, gunmen killed a Turkmen civilian and wounded another.
Gunmen in Basra killed one civilian and wounded another.
A number of militant leaders were killed in airstrikes in Qaim.
Security forces killed four militants at the Alas oil fields.
In Sinjar, Peshmerga forces killed four militants.
Three militants were killed in a roadside bombing in Rifai.
