Wednesday: 3 GIs, 45 Iraqis, 1 American Contractor Killed; 52 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 1:01 a.m. EDT, June 14, 2007

Once again the Golden Mosque in Samarra has suffered extensive damage during a bombing. Although no casualties were reported during the incident, a bombing at the mosque last year unleashed a wave of sectarian violence that killed hundreds. In northern Iraq, a fourth bridge has been demolished by militants. And, at least 45 Iraqis were killed and 52 were wounded in other violence. Also, three American soldiers were killed and two more wounded in separate incidents.

A Marine was killed yesterday in combat in Anbar province. In a separate incident, one MND-B soldier was killed and two more were wounded during an IED attack in southern Baghdad. Also, a roadside bomb in eastern Baghdad killed an MND-B soldier on Monday. Also, an American contractor was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade while near Tikrit last night.

A bombing at the Golden Mosque in Samarra has brought down two minarets belonging to the revered Shi’ite shrine. Officials, including Moqtada al-Sadr, are blaming foreign agents for the attack and are asking that Iraqis resist retaliatory attacks. Curfews have been imposed in both Samarra and Baghdad.

In Baghdad, the managing editor of the al-Sabah newspaper was kidnapped. A Sunni mosque was burned, but no casualties were reported. Shi’ite militiamen were seen fanned out across the Jihad neighborhood. Mortars injured three people in New Baghdad. In Zayouna district, mortars failed to injure anyone. Four people were killed and 10 wounded during mortar shelling in southern neighborhoods. Also, Baghdad police reported finding 25 bodies.

In Ramadi, four policemen were killed an 11 wounded during a suicide car bombing at a checkpoint outside town.

A suicide bomber in a Mandali police station killed five people, including the police chief and wounded 10 others.

A mortar attack left one dead and six injured in Baquba. A suicide bomber was killed before he could detonate his cargo.

One person was killed and eight were wounded in Khan Bani Saad where a truck bomb laden with chlorine was detonated.

Five mosques in Basra were the seen of attacks but no casualties were reported.

The shrine of Imam Ali Kamal was blown up in Khalis. In a separate explosion, which occurred on Monday, a journalist was killed.

A bridge connecting Tikrit with Kirkuk was blown-up, but no casualties were reported.

A roadside bomb in Taji killed one Iraqi soldier and wounded four others.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis