Updated at 7:19 p.m. EDT, Oct. 27, 2009
Iraq remains mostly quiet in the aftermath of the deadliest bombings in two years. At least seven Iraqis were killed and two more were wounded in the latest violence. Most of the attention remains on Baghdad where politicians are being blamed for the attack. The compromise that was expected to break the elections law impasse as early as today fell apart overnight, fueling concerns that Sunni-led violence could soon increase. Separately, the U.S. drawdown has revealed how little attention to accountability was paid during the occupation.
Updated at 7:40 p.m. EDT, Oct. 26, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in today’s attacks. The toll from yesterday’s bombings in the capital rose to 160 dead.
Updated at 5:25 p.m. EDT, Oct. 25, 2009
A pair of devastating explosions targeting government buildings in Baghdad left 147 dead and 718 wounded just hours before the Iraqi government would again try to solve an elections law impasse. Three U.S. contractors were also wounded. The death toll eclipses that of “Bloody Wednesday” which left over 100 dead two months ago. Only two other Iraqis were reported killed elsewhere.
Updated at 9:09 p.m. EDT, Oct. 24, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in new violence. An Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for a Sunni parliamentarian after a detainee claimed he received money and instructions from her to kill or expel Shi’ites from Diyala province.
Updated at 8:30 p.m. EDT, Oct. 23, 2009
As US envoy to the UN Susan Rice visited Baghdad to hold talks with Prime Minister Maliki about ending U.N. sanctions on Iraq, a United Nations spokesman separately said it was concerned that Iraqi refugees in Europe are being forcibly returned to a dangerous, war-torn country. The prayer day has so far been rather quiet. At least five Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani warned of chaos if January’s national elections are delayed.
Updated at 7:05 p.m. EDT, Oct. 22, 2009
At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in small attacks across northern and central Iraq. In the U.S., a federal judge threw out a series of lawsuits stemming from a shootout that invovled Blackwater contractors; he will allow some to refile. Also, a second group of Kurdish peacemakers will descend on Turkey.
Updated at 6:48 p.m. EDT, Oct. 21, 2009
At least 13 Iraqis were killed 16 more were wounded in attacks that mostly targeted policemen. In Baghdad, lawmakers again failed to pass an elections law that would govern upcoming national elections. If elections are delayed that in turn could slow the U.S. drawdown.
Several small bomb attacks occurred in Baghdad and other central Iraqi towns. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 34 were wounded in those scattered bombings and in Mosul. Also, one U.S. soldier was killed and two more were wounded in a roadside bomb blast in Ninewa province. Meanwhile, Prime Minster Nouri al-Maliki is in the United States meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and other officials.
Updated at 7:36 p.m. EDT, Oct. 19, 2009
In a bid for peace, 34 unarmed Kurds crossed into Turkey and handed themselves over to authorities. Back in Iraq though, at least 10 Iraqis were killed and 35 more were wounded. A U.S. soldier died in a vehicular accident near Mosul as well.
Updated at 7:33 p.m. EDT, Oct. 18, 2009
At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 51 more were wounded in today’s attacks. Meanwhile, as some U.S. servicemembers prepare to leave Iraq, the U.S. military and USO are conducting “Operation Proper Exit” to help wounded servicemembers return to Iraqi battlefields as part of their recuperation from physical and mental wounds.
