Updated at 12:25 a.m. EDT, June 23, 2009
A surge in bombings intensified in the Baghdad area. At least 43 Iraqis were killed and 114 more were wounded there and across the country. Three U.S. soldiers were also wounded and two more were possibly killed during a bombing in Abu Ghraib. Back in the U.S., an Army chaplain who was gravely wounded in Iraq in 2004 has died; the cause of death was not released, but the chaplain was still receiving care for his injuries.
At least 27 Iraqis were killed and 41 more wounded on a day marked by a return to small but numerous incidents in Baghdad and Mosul. Despite a massive car bombing near Kirkuk yesterday, reports from Iraq have been suspiciously sparse in recent days. Particularly in the case of Mosul, which is the most violent city in Iraq.
Updated at 5:19 p.m. EDT, June 20, 2009
During a speech to a Turkmen group in Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to enforce a June 30 deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities. This pronouncement came hours before a massive truck bomb ripped through the Turkmen village of Taza. Overall at least 94 Iraqis were killed and 231 others were wounded across Iraq. Also, a pair of bodies was handed over to British authorities belong to two British hostages who were kidnapped in 2007. Three other British hostages still missing.
Updated at 11:35 p.m. EDT, July 19, 2009
A massive war-funding bill, that includes money for operations in Iraq, has left the U.S. congress and is on its way to the White House. Back in Iraq, the country’s U.N. Ambassador, Hamid al-Bayati, said that the security handover from U.S. to Iraqi hands is going smoothly. Meanwhile, seven Iraqis were killed and 11 were wounded in violence across the country. Also, one U.S. soldier was killed in a non-combat incident.
Updated at 9:30 p.m. EDT, June 18, 2009
Last night, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is launched an investigation into widespread allegations of prisoner abuse in Iraqi jails. A positive resolution to the inquiry could lead to better relations between Sunnis and Shi’ites. Meanwhile, at least seven were killed and 13 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, Iraqi may press Israel for reparations in the 1981 destruction of a nuclear plant.
Updated at 6:55 p.m. EDT, June 17, 2009
At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 10 were wounded in the latest violence. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, an arrest has been made in connection with last week’s prominent murder of a Sunni politician. Back in the U.S., the House passed a $106 billion war-funding bill.
At least one Iraqis was killed and eight more were injured in light violence. A U.S. soldier was killed in an explosion near Samawa as well. Another U.S. soldier was wounded in an I.E.D attack in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Egypt has named its first ambassador to Iraq in four years.
Updated at 3:03 p.m. EDT, June. 15, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in attacks. Meanwhile, prisoners in Iraqi jails are again trying to call attention to mistreatment and other issues. Also, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has authorized an inquiry that will examine errors made during and after the 2003 invasion.
Updated at 8:40 p.m. EDT, June 11, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in recent attacks across central and northern Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported. Also, fighting between Turkey troops and the PKK erupted just across the border in Turkey.
Updated at 7:32 p.m. EDT, June 13, 2009
At least three Iraqis were killed and 11 were injured on a quiet day in Iraq; however two U.S. soldiers were reported killed in separate incidents. Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces said that they are prepared to take over from U.S. troops, but those in Mosul are far from ready. So far 100 bases have been returned to Iraqi authority. Also, two more U.S. contractors were freed pending an investigation into an unknown matter; conflicting reports had the men accused of murder, arms possession or drug offences at various times.
