Tuesday: 1 GI, 76 Iraqis Killed; 131 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 10:52 p.m. EDT, Oct. 9, 2007

At least 76 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 131 more were wounded during a particularly active day in Iraq. Yet another deadly incident involving a private security company has surfaced in Baghdad. A significant number of bombings also occurred in Baghdad and Baiji as well. The DOD reported the death of a GI after a small arms attack yesterday.

In Baghdad, two female civilians were killed when members of a private security company, escorting a convoy through the Karrada district, fired upon the women’s car. Witnesses report that a bullet wounded a woman in the backseat and flying glass injured a child. Another child was physically unharmed. Reports also state that 19 bullets struck the vehicle and that the victims were Christian. The Australian Unity Resources Group claimed responsibility, but the nationality of the guards was not released. The incident follows a highly controversial event on Sept. 16 involving the Blackwater USA firm.

Elsewhere in the capital, 10 were killed and 35 others were wounded during a car bombing at al-Khilani Square in central Baghdad; figures may go much higher. A car bomb in the Shabb neighborhood killed four people and wounded 16 more. In al-Binoog, a car bomb killed two people and wounded 18 more; a separate bombing left one dead and five wounded. In Zaafaraniya, a roadside bomb killed one civilian and wounded 11 others. Mortars wounded six people in al-Mashtal. Last night in al-Mashtal, a Shi’ite Endowment leader was assassinated during an armed attack. Gunmen wounded a technology dean and killed his driver in Doura. Also, eight unidentified bodies were recovered.

At least 22 people were killed and 30 more were wounded when two suicide truck bombs exploded minutes apart in the city of Baiji. The attack is believed to have targeted Sunni tribal leaders who are fighting al-Qaeda elements. The first bomb was detonated at a private home, while the second targeted a mosque.

In Mosul, a U.S. airstrike killed four men setting a roadside bomb. Two more gunmen were shot dead as they attempted to flee the scene. A Ninewah deputy police chief was assassinated as he was leaving his Hadbaa area home. Also, 70 people were detained during security raids.

In Kirkuk, the head of police intelligence and two companions were wounded during an armed attack. Gunmen riding motorcycles shot dead a police officer in a separate incident. Also, a bomb killed a policeman and wounded a colleague.

Three bodies, one carrying a foreign passport, were found near Hilla in the town of al-Qassim.

Two bodies were found yesterday in Hawija. One body was beheaded, while the second victim had been shot to death.

A roadside bomb in Tuz Khormato killed two and wounded three others.

Gunmen kidnapped the head of the airport in Basra.

Coalition forces killed nine suspects and arrested 21 in northern and central Iraq. In Duluiya, 13 suspects were arrested. Two suspected al-Qaeda leaders were arrested in Baquba. Thirty suspects were arrested in Muqdadiyah. No casualties were reported in Diwaniya after U.S. forces bombed an empty home belonging to a wanted Mahdi Army leader.

Also, Turkey is once again threatening to send troops into northern Iraq in an attempt to crush Kurdish rebels who are using the area as a base. Meanwhile, the U.S. is urging Turkey exercise self-restraint in the matter, and the Iraqi government condemned the latest PKK attack.

And, a fire at a camp for Palestinian refugees fleeing the violence in Baghdad wounded 15 people.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis