Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is asking his followers to cease attacks against U.S. targets until the end of the year when U.S. forces are scheduled to complete their withdrawal from Iraq. According to a statement posted online today, should any Americans remain after Dec. 31, Sadr promises that attacks “will resume with greater vigor.” The goal is to eliminate one significant reason for a troop extension.
The new appeal, however, did not prevent three bombs from blasting a U.S. patrol near Qalat Sikar village in Dhi Qar province. Casualties, if any, were not reported. At least one Iraqi was killed and 13 others were wounded in other violence.
read moreTurkey Offers To House Predator Drones To Keep Eye on PKK
With the impending U.S. withdrawal from Iraq just 16 weeks away, Washington has found itself in need of a new location to house its Predator drones. Not coincidentally, Ankara, which extensively uses information captured with those drones to keep track of Kurdistan Workers Party (P.K.K.) rebels, has offered to let the U.S. base those drones in Turkey. Meanwhile, at least 13 Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in new violence.
read moreBaghdad OKs Peshmerga Fighters in Diyala Province
About 1300 Peshmerga fighters have been deployed into contested areas of Diyala province, where they will operate in the heavily Kurdish areas of Jalawla, Saidiya, Qara Tappa, and Mandali. Due to increased security concerns, the Kurdish parliament recently voted to redeploy the soldiers even though Diyala is not one of the three provinces that belong to Iraqi Kurdistan. The Peshmerga, so far, have been able to work peacefully alongside Iraqi army troops. Meanwhile, at least 43 Iraqis were killed and eight were wounded across the country.
read moreIraqi and Kurdish Journalists Still Under Attack
An Iraqi journalist who was detained at a protest and tortured last February was shot to death last night in Baghdad. Hadi al-Mehdi had been openly criticizing the government through his radio show and had received death threats over a demonstration planned for...
Six Iraqis Killed As US Considers How Many Troops Will Remain After ‘Withdrawal’
Although Iraq has not publicly requested American troops remain in the country after 2011, the White House and U.S. lawmakers are open about their preferences for post-withdrawal Iraq. Across the country, meanwhile, at least six Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in new attacks.
read moreIraqi Kurdistan: Does Oil Play A Role In Request For US Troop Extension?
During a televised speech today, Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani publicly requested Baghdad to retain U.S. troops beyond a Dec. 31 deadline to withdraw. He warned that the country could relapse into sectarian violence or even a civil war. Meanwhile, at least 10 Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded across the country.
read moreIran Considers PJAK Offer As Shelling Kills Iraqi Civilian
A deadly post-Ramadan escalation of hostilities has apparently paid off for Iran, as the Party Of A Free Life Of Kurdistan (P.J.AK.) has imposed a unilateral truce on itself, in the hope that Iran will join the ceasefire. At least 5 Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded across the country.
read moreIraq: Turkey Resumes Kurdish Rebel Operations, A Day After Iran
Turkish warplanes conducted new air strikes on Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq today, likely in response to violence blamed on the Kurdistan Workers Party (P.K.K.).
read moreIraq’s Border Woes Continue As Iran Resumes Shelling And Kuwait Detains Fishermen
Although violence was fairly light today, an escalating border situation involving Iran and Kuwait could spell increasing woes for Iraq. Frustrated Iranian forces resumed cross-border shelling of Iraqi Kurdistan, resulting in the death of one civilian. And, Kuwait detained 11 fisherman who may have strayed into Kuwaiti waters. Overall, eight Iraqis were killed in new violence. Another 20 were injured in what may have been chlorine gas attack.
read moreIraq: US Troops Suffer No Deaths In August, But Iran Still To ‘Blame’
At least four Iraqis were killed and four others were wounded in light violence. Because of Eid al-Fitr celebrations, reports are scant this week. U.S. troops, meanwhile, reported no deaths during the month of August.
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