Thursday: 97 Iraqis, 1 GI Killed; 117 Iraqis, 1 Briton Wounded

Updated at 12:10 a.m. EST, Jan. 18, 2007

Bombings have been preferred method of attack during this week’s surge in violence. Today alone, at least 87 Iraqis were killed and another 117 wounded in several incidents. Military authorities also announced the death of an American sailor from non-combat-related causes. A British soldier was injured in Basra. Also, Shi’ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced the arrests of 400 members of the Mahdi Militia.

Analysts blame the increasing violence on the threat of an Iraqi/U.S. security crackdown in the coming weeks. Prime Minister al-Maliki instead believes that Sunnis, angered by the execution of Saddam, are behind the attacks.

An American sailor at Camp Bucca was killed in an unspecified but non-combat related manner. Also, Sudan complained that U.S. troops forcibly raided their embassy in Baghdad and U.S. troops killed two people in Khalis.

In Basra, a British soldier was injured in a Katyusha rocket attack on his base. British troops also clashed with militants; two gunmen and eight civilians were wounded in the crossfire.

Baghdad was plagued with bomb explosions during the morning rush hour. Three coordinated bombs exploded at a marketplace in the Doura area, killing 10 and wounding 30 others. Another four people were killed and 15 wounded during a remote-controlled bomb attack on Saadoun Street. Three were killed and 17 injured in a bus terminal explosion in southeastern Baghdad. Another bomb exploded at a police station in eastern Baghdad; two were killed and four injured in that attack. Two mortar rounds fell on Azamiyah, killing four civilians and wounding 13 others. Another mortar fell in the Abu Atsheer; a woman was killed and a man wounded.

Also, gunmen killed one police officer and injured a second near the al Shaab stadium. In the al Fahhama district, gunmen and Iraqi troops clashed; two gunmen were killed and four wounded. And 27 dumped bodies were recovered throughout the city.

A suicide bomb attack at a Mosul marketplace left one civilian dead and six others injured. In a separate incident, a hand grenade killed one police officer and injured a second at a checkpoint. Also, gunmen attacked a wedding procession and shot two people to death. A mosque preacher was also gunned down. And nine bodies were found scattered in town.

Gunmen in Iskandariya killed three people and wounded another at a police checkpoint. A body was also found.

Three police officers were wounded in Samarra.

In Kifil, gunmen wounded a civilian driver.

Iraqi police police seized 83 crude oil trucks in Tikrit.

Iraqi soldiers killed three militia members in unspecified locations.

Five bodies belonging to militia men were found in Balad Ruz.

In Baquba, four bodies were delivered to the morgue.

Gunmen attacked a health center in Tawakal, injuring four women and a child.

And five people, including three policemen, were injured by a roadside bomb in Mahmudiya.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis