Updated at 8:35 p.m. EST, Dec. 16, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 27 more were wounded in the latest violence. Prime Minister Maliki came out against Ba’athists again as he spoke about new security implementations. Also, the U.S. House passed a defense bill that will fund the war in Iraq.
Updated at 9:59 p.m. EST, Dec. 15, 2009
Bombs targeted Baghdad governmental institutions today, exactly a week after “Bloody Tuesday” left hundreds dead or wounded. Mosul was equally affected, but those attacks were directed at Christian targets instead. At least 15 Iraqis were killed and 63 more were wounded across the country. The attacks also indirectly affected Camp Ashraf as a number of journalists heading to the immigrant camp were awaiting transport together near a blast site. Also, the ongoing PKK difficulties claimed two more lives in Turkey. Meanwhile, an epidemic of veteran suicides is plaguing soldiers who have returned home only to battle emotional enemies.
Updated at 8:50 p.m. EST, Dec. 14, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 32 more were wounded in the latest violence. One small attack took place last week, but the delayed account highlights the difficulties in reporting casualties in the war-torn country. Meanwhile, female servicemembers who have returned home to the United States report having difficulties transitioning back into society. Also, Iran says it will try three American hikers who crossed into the country from Iraq, and new details arose from an investigation into the Bloody Tuesday bombings.
Updated at 8:30 p.m. EST, Dec. 13, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 43 more were wounded as fallout from Bloody Tuesday continues to vex security officials and perhaps perpetrators in Baghdad. In the United Kingdom, sources revealed that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will give his Chilcot Inquiry testimony in secret, perhaps undermining the authority of the inquiry. A separate investigation, this one in the United States, ended in favor of the military defendant. Also, one U.S. soldier died from non-combat injuries.
Updated at 9:15 p.m. EST, Dec. 12, 2009
At least six Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in the lastest violence. Also, a U.S. soldier has died from non-combat injuries at Camp Speicher, and three American soldiers were wounded by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Meanwhile, a Turkish court has banned a Kurdish political party for alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party.
Updated at 8:04 p.m. EST, Dec. 11, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 26 more were wounded in prayer day attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Gates met with Iraqi officials and U.S. servicemembers during his trip through Iraq. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he supported the removal of Saddam Hussein even though the basis for the ourster, weapons of mass destruction, was never found. Also, the Department of Defense announced the Tuesday death of a U.S. Marine from unknown casuses.
Updated at 3:59 p.m. EST, Dec. 10, 2009
Although only three Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in the latest reports, there were other significant developments coming out of Iraq. Tuesday’s bloody bombings in Baghdad continued to dominate the news from various angles, but the closing of Camp Ashraf could soon take the attack’s place in the headlines. One U.S. soldier was also killed as U.S. Secretary Gates dropped in on Iraqi officials.
Updated at 10:15 p.m. EST, Dec. 9, 2009
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki asked for patience following yesterday’s massive bombings in Baghdad. The attacks continued today, but they were not as successful. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in the new violence.
Updated at 11:19 p.m. EST, Dec. 8, 2009
An attack on government buildings in Baghdad left hundreds dead or injured even as the presidential council set March 7 for the next national election. Overall, at least 133 people were killed and another 531 were wounded across Iraq. Increased violence is expected before those elections. Meanwhile, a British intelligence official admitted at an inquiry that before the 2003 invasion the UK believed Saddam had dismantled Iraq’s biological and chemical weapons. Former Joint Intelligence Committee head, John Scarlett, added that officials feared they could be reassembled.
While Shi’ites observed the Eid al-Ghadeer holiday, one Shi’ite school in Sadr City suffered a tragic attack. At least 19 Iraqis were killed and 56 more were wounded there and across the country. The bombing comes just as Iraqi officials are hoping to pin down a date in late February for national elections. Full details were not revealed, but Parliament approved a new elections law late yesterday after Sunni and Kurdish objections were apparently resolved.
