Updated at 6:47 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2009
What appears to be a series of targeted assassinations continues in Baghdad with attacks on Sunni Endowment members and newspaper employees. Awakening Council (Sahwa) fighters also saw attacks on them elsewhere. Overall, at least eight Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded. One U.S. soldier was killed in combat today, and more background information on U.S. soldiers killed in a fragging incident on Monday was released.
Updated at 8:45 p.m. EDT, May 13, 2009
At least five Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in the latest attacks, but security forces also found an old mass grave containing about 100 bodies in Diwaniya. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, Iraq again claimed they have an al-Qaeda leader in custody and U.S. forces returned the ancient city of Ur back to Iraqi control.
Updated at 7:58 p.m. EDT, May 12, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 33 more were wounded in today’s attacks. The number of casualties in a suicide bombing in Kirkuk could rise. No Coalition deaths were reported, but authorities identified the U.S. soldier who killed five fellow soldiers yesterday in Baghdad. Meanwhile, a man claiming to be Abu Omar al-Baghdadi said he was not in Iraqi custody. Also, it seems that the central government has again changed its mind on Kurdish oil sales.
Updated at 6:43 p.m. EDT, May 11, 2009
Six U.S. soldiers were killed in two alarming events today, one of them a mass murder by a fellow soldier. At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in other attacks. Meanwhile, Australia announced its Iraq mission will come to an end in July. Also, the U.S. demanded that Syria stop the flow of fighters through its borders, while Iran demanded that Iraq deal with Kurdish rebels near its border.
Updated at 3:05 p.m. May 10, 2009
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt dropped in on Iraqi lawmakers to discuss increasing the United States’ role in intelligence gathering even as troops withdraw from the country. Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Also, the central government avoided aggravating tensions between the Kurdish Regional Government and themselves by approving the sales of Kurdish oil to foreign clients.
At least three Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in the latest violence. In one attack a police general was killed in Basra even a security forces claimed the province was safe enough for foreign workers. No Coalition deaths were reported.
Updated at 7:05 p.m. EDT, May 8, 2009
This prayer day was particularly quiet. Only two Iraqis were reported killed and another four were wounded. One U.S. soldier died yesterday from wounds sustained in a May 5 accident. Back in the U.S., an American soldier was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl and murdering her along with her family. The girl’s remaining relatives are pressing for the death penalty. Also, the Kurdish Regional Government claimed it was ready to start exporting oil, but the central government said no permission was given to use national pipelines for the transfer. Oil has been the source of tensions between the Kurds and Shi’ite-led central government.
Updated 12:10 p.m. EDT, May 9, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded in today’s attacks. No Coalition deaths were reported.
update at 3:25 p.m. EDT, May 6, 2009
At least 20 Iraqis were killed and 84 others were wounded in the latest violence. A massive bombing at a market in Baghdad was tempered by the failure of a second bomb to detonate. More bombs blasted victims elsewhere in Baghdad and in cities to the north of the capital. No Coalition deaths were reported.
At least 37 people were killed in the latest incidents. Thirty-three of those were suspected militants killed during raids. An unknown number of villagers in Iraqi Kurdistan were wounded along with five Iraqis elsewhere. Meanwhile, the U.N. announced a change in the treatment of refugees from southern and western Iraq thanks to improved conditions. Also, three South Korean soldiers were convicted of seeking bribes while stationed in Iraq. And, Iraqi Kurdistan announced regional elections will take place on July 25.
