Wednesday: 4 GIs, 66 Iraqis Killed; 97 Wounded

Updated at 12:55 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2007

At least 65 Iraqis were killed today and 97 wounded in violent attacks, including the deaths of two Iraqi journalists. Also, the U.S. military reported that an American soldier was killed in a Baghdad IED attack on Saturday. A roadside bomb also killed two GIs today in Baghdad, and one soldier died yesterday of non-battle-related causes. At least 120 American servicemen serving in Iraq have been killed this month, making May one of the bloodiest of the occupation.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, gunmen attacked the home of Abdul Rahman al-Isawi, who was a reported for the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA). The gunmen dragged al-Isawi, his father and brother to a nearby orchard and killed all three. Another five family members were killed in clashes with the gunmen.

A reporter for Aswat al-Iraq, Nazar Abdul Wahid, was gunned down in Amara. Five other journalists were wounded.

In Baghdad, three people were wounded during a mortar attack in the Jamiya neighborhood. In the Utefiyah neighborhood, gunmen killed Colonel Mohammed Shakir, an officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. One person was killed and three wounded when mortars fell on the Al Rasheed marketplace. Four civilians were wounded during an IED attack in Amiriyah. An Iraqi army officer was killed and two more wounded during a roadside bombing in al-Jami. Also, 23 bodies were found scattered in several neighborhoods. And, two Iraqi employees of the U.S. embassy may have been kidnapped.

In Khalis, ten people were killed and five wounded during clashes. Among the dead were four policemen and an Iraqi soldier. The city is now under a curfew.

Five people were killed and 15 wounded in separate mortar attacks in Fallujah.

Three people were killed and 21 wounded during a mortar attack in Mahmudiya.

In Balad, two roadside bombs destroyed a U.S. humvee and a minesweeper. The bombing was followed by a gunfight. In a separate incident, unknown armed men killed an Iraqi soldier.

A roadside bomb in Hamza blasted a police intelligence officer’s convoy; two bodyguards were killed and three others, including the officer, were injured.

In Mosul, a roadside bomb targeting a U.S. patrol wounded two civilians instead. Clashes between police and gunmen left one woman dead and two policemen injured. A car bomb wounded two policemen. Also, two booby-trapped bodies were found and disarmed.

A roadside bomb targeting the dreaded police commandos wounded four of them in Madaen.

One person was killed and 15 wounded in a car bombing in Sadr City.

Three policemen were wounded during an attack on an Iskandariya checkpoint.

In Kirkuk, an Iraqi army officer was wounded in a roadside bombing.

Three policemen were injured during a double roadside bombing in Baiji.

An assassination attempt on the head of the judicial committee of Hawija left three gunmen and one bodyguard dead, while two bodyguards were injured.

In Salah ad Din province, four officers are believed kidnapped.

Katyusha rockets killed one civilian in Tal Afar.

Three Iraqi soldiers were killed in Hilla.

The Iraqi army reported killing seven suspects in undisclosed locations.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis