With the U.S. military withdrawal looming, Iraqi officials are wasting no time marking the anticipated departure, even if U.S. officials are being somewhat restrained. Meanwhile at least 16 Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in the latest violence.
read moreViolence Leaves 26 Killed in Iraq, as Country Ponders Maliki Third Term
Diyala province was the focus of attacks today. A significant bombing and the execution of several people took place there. Meanwhile, several dumped bodies were discovered south and west of Baghdad. Overall, at least 26 Iraqis were killed and 55 more were wounded across the country. Despite the violence, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said, ahead of the U.S. withdrawal, that the Iraqi government is capable of defending itself.
read moreMalaysia Denies Iraqi Request to Extradite Former Lawmaker; 8 Iraqis Killed
Malaysia rejected an Iraqi request to return a former lawmaker who stood accused of terrorist acts. Mohammed al-Daini had been critical of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government and exposed secret jails. He claimed the charges were politically motivated, and very little evidence against him had been gathered by the time he fled Iraq.
At least eight Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in new violence.
read more12 Iraqis Killed, Biden Visits Baghdad
Although the violence today was not as dramatic as yesterdays’, a number of attacks left at least 12 dead and 36 more wounded. Surprisingly, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced trip to Baghdad even though troops are scheduled to finish withdrawal in just one month.
read moreIraq’s Parliament Bombed; 29 Killed Across Country
Bombers staged several attacks against government and security forces today. Among them was a probable assassination attempt at the parliament building in Baghdad. That one was overshadowed by another at a prison just north of the capital, in which dozens were left dead or wounded. Less successful attacks targeting a Turkmen politician and a Sahwa commander also took place. Overall, at least 29 Iraqis were killed and 57 more were wounded.
read moreAnother Iraqi Province Considers Semi-Autonomy Bid; 8 Iraqis Killed in Attacks
Anbar province is now considering whether to seek converting to a semi-autonomous region. Meanwhile, at least eight Iraqis were killed and 17 more were wounded across central and northern Iraq.
read moreMahdi Army’s Secret Deal Filling Iraq’s Security Forces With Ex-militiamen; 30 Killed in Attacks
A secret deal may be filling Iraq’s security forces with former Mahdi Army militiamen. Meanwhile, the uptick in violence continues. At least 30 Iraqis were killed and 54 more were wounded in attacks that focused on central Iraq.
read moreUS: Insurgents Trying To Make Withdrawal Appear As Soldiers Fleeing Iraq
At least three Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in light violence. Two U.S. soldiers were also wounded in one of several attacks staged, possibly, to make it appear the U.S. military is fleeing Iraq. Meanwhile, one protest in support of giving Salah ad Din province region status took place, while politician Ayad Allawi raised concerns that such designations could destabilize the country.
read moreDozens Killed, Wounded in Iraq Triple Bombing
At least 56 Iraqis were killed and 91 more were wounded in mostly new attacks throughout the country. The worst violence took place in Basra where a triple bombing killed or wounded nearly a hundred Iraqis. Sixteen other men were executed and nine victims were found in a mass grave in Diyala province.
read moreTurkish Air Strikes in Iraq Wound 1; 7 Iraqis Killed in Other Attacks
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in just a few reported attacks. One of the Iraqis was injured during a Turkish bombing operation against Kurdish rebels hiding out in the north. Also, the United States is hoping to get Iraqi approval to maintain almost 1,000 trainers in Iraq after next month’s military withdrawal date.
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