Friday: 78 Iraqis, 3 GIs Killed; 43 Iraqis, 2 Marines Wounded

Updated at 10:00 p.m. EST, Dec. 8, 2006

Although a regular car curfew helped quash violence towards religious observers in the capital, at least 78 Iraqis were killed today and 43 wounded in violent attacks across the country. Also, three U.S. soldiers were killed and two Marines were wounded in separate events.

The U.S. military reported two U.S. soldiers wereut killed and two other people wounded by a roadside bomb attack in the capital. A separate roadside bomb, also in Baghdad, killed an American soldier. Two Marines were injured while on foot patrol in Fallujah. These deaths bring the December tally to 37 American servicemember deaths.

Four gunmen were killed in a clash with American forces in Dijel.

Coalition forces also reported killing 20 militia members, including two women, near Lake Tharthar; however, Iraqi police said they found the bodies of 19 civilians, including five children, instead. The major of Ishaqi had earlier claimed a larger number of people were dead, but later retracted the story.

In the capital, police found 18 dumped bodies throughout the city; they bore the usual gunshot wounds and many displayed signs of torture. Mortars fell on the poor, Shi'ite suburb of Al-Nehrewan; 25 were killed and 22 wounded in the attack.

Brigadier General Humam Nuri and his brother were slain in Baghdad; he was the head of customs in Najaf. Gunmen attacked a crowd of people in the Amil district, killing one and wounding three. And five truck drivers were abducted in the Jiser Diyala neighborhood.

In Tal Afar, a car bomb killed three and wounded 15 at an Iraqi army checkpoint.

South of Mahmudiya a car bomb was discovered before it could be used; the bomb was destroyed in a controlled detonation, so no casualties were reported.

Three bodies were discovered around Baquba.

A body was found in Muqdadiyah.

In Taji, a bus driver was injured when he took a bullet to the hand.

An Iraqi translator was shot dead in Karmah.

And two detainees were abducted from the Hibhib police station.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis