Updated at 7:05 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2009
At least 18 Iraqis were killed and 27 more were wounded the latest attacks. Dozens more were reported beaten at Camp Ashraf. The day was also marked by political developments: The Iraqi government failed to produce a security pact that would have allowed British troops to remain in the country. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates toured a southern Iraq base where top Iraqi commander, Gen. Ray Odierno accused Iran of meddling in upcoming Iraqi elections. Also, Turkey prefers asking Iraq to help stop the PKK rather than talk peace directly with the rebel group.
Updated at 8:05 p.m. EDT, July 27, 2009
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 32 more were wounded in the latest attacks, while four U.S. soldiers were injured in a vehicular accident north of Kirkuk. A small amount of violence has followed the election in the Kurdish Autonomous Region, some of it apparently “celebratory.”
Updated at 6:50 p.m. EDT, July 26, 2009
At least 26 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in today’s attacks. No Coalition deaths were reported, but former soldiers described the conditions that likely contributed to the high amount of violent crimes attributed to a group of Iraq veterans. Separately, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said that U.S. soldiers are allowed to defend themselves in attacks. Meanwhile, some Iraqis are finding it difficult to legally immigrate to the U.S. because of the “broad language” used in the Patriot Act. Also, polls closed peacefully in the Kurdish Autonomous Region.
Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2009
The elections in Iraqi Kurdistan have gone peacefully today; however, a blast in Fallujah left over two dozen casualties. Across Iraq, eight people were killed and 33 others were wounded.
Updated at 4:41 p.m. EDT, July 24, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in the latest attacks. One U.S. soldier also died in a non-combat incident in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Iraq is asking the U.S. to explain reports that officials met with insurgent groups leaders in Turkey.
Updated at 7:16 p.m. EDT, July 23, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and 17 more were wounded in light violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but the Iraqi Monitor of Constitutional Freedom and Bill of Rights (MRFC) reported that U.S. forces have killed at least 10 Iraqis since withdrawing from cities at the end of June.
Updated at 10:42 p.m. EDT, July 22, 2009
Violence struck a group of Iranian pilgrims in Diyala province. The attack left five Iranians dead and 37 wounded and was the most significant event of the day. Iraqis fared better only a day after the worst violence in weeks. At least six Iraqis were killed and 20 more were wounded. Meanwhile, PM Maliki is in the U.S. for talks with President Obama, and a House key committee approved more funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, the U.S. State Department issued a report stating that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad is significantly overstaffed.
Updated at 12:35 p.m. EDT, July 21, 2009
At least 24 Iraqis were killed and 142 more were wounded on a busy day in Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported, but two sets of Iraq-related groups are headed to Washington to ask for help with their vastly different needs. Meanwhile, the status of Iraqi and Palestinian refugees who fled the war has changed in two particular cases.
Updated at 8:37 p.m. EDT, July 20, 2009
Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr met with Syrian leader President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, where Assad urged the cleric to press forward with reconciliation efforts. Back home, at least 15 Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in violent attacks. Meanwhile, a brigade commander in Baghdad spoke on the current relationship between U.S. troops and security forces in the capital.
Updated at 8:55 p.m. EDT, July 19, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in a light day of violence. A U.S. Marine was killed in combat in Anbar province. So far, no outright attacks against Shi’ite pilgrims have been reported; however, a blast in Numaniya reminded pilgrims to stay alert to trouble as they head home from Baghdad.
