At least four Iraqis were killed and 34 people were wounded in today’s incidents. Two Indian nationals were killed in a blast in Arbil as well. Also, the Islamic State of Iraq confirmed two militants killed last week were Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, but reports that Saddam’s vice president, Izzat al-Douri, was killed or captured were premature.
Attacks tapered off today, but at least eight Iraqis were killed and 21 more wounded in new violence. Also, a U.S. Dept. of Defense employee of unknown nationality died of unreported causes. Meanwhile, an offer to restart the Mahdi Army was turned down by Iraqi officials, but rogue elements could be operating within the official security forces.
Updated at 8:30 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2010
At least 13 bombs were detonated near Shi’ite targets in Baghdad and Sadr City today, while a Sunni town in Anbar province was the focus of another series of blasts. Overall, at least 75 Iraqis were killed and 303 more were wounded across the country. One U.S. soldier died from non-combat injuries. The attacks came just days after several prominent arrests and killings of militants possibly damaged the al-Qaeda network in Iraq. Last night, Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Bolani asked remaining al-Qaeda members turn themselves in. The blasts could be in retaliation. Also, a second Navy SEAL has been cleared of wrongdoing in an alleged abuse case.
At least five Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Two U.S. servicemembers were wounded as well, during a raid in Anbar province that netted a suspected explosives expert. Military officials, meanwhile, pondered the long term abilities of the Iraqi air force. Also, a Navy SEAL was cleared of charges in a detainee abuse case.
Two unidentified bodies found today in Baghdad frighteningly harkened back to the height of sectarian killings, but it was in Baquba and Ramadi where violence was focused today. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 49 more were wounded in a string of attacks across the country. Meanwhile, the court-martial of a Navy SEAL accused of not protecting a detainee has opened at a base outside Baghdad. Also, ballot recounting is now expected to begin next week.
Updated at 6:06 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2010
A partial but controversial ballot recount ordered for Baghdad province is raising concerns over election manipulation and pushing Iraq towards instability at a time when politicians should be creating the next government. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded in violence across Iraq. Also, a third high-ranking al-Qaeda leader was killed during a raid this morning in northern Iraq.
The confirmation of the deaths of two al-Qaeda figures on the U.S. most wanted list outweighed even the revelation of a secret Iraqi prison where hundreds of Sunni men may have tortured and the recount of votes from the national election. Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in other attacks. Also, a U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries in Basra.
At least six Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded in a second day of unusually light violence. Meanwhile, one U.S. soldier was killed and three more were wounded in what is being treated as a non-hostile helicopter crash. Also, Gen. Ray Odierno said in a television interview that the U.S. drawdown is on track; however, there are signs that a full withdrawal could spell more sectarian violence.
At least three Iraqis were killed and six were wounded in light violence. Also, there are reports that Iranian intelligence officers are in Iraq intimidating former Iranians now living at Camp Ashraf.
At least four Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in light violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki admitted that the Iraqiya party, which won the most seats in last month’s election, must be included in the next government.
