Sunday: 1 US Soldier, 33 Iraqis Killed; 44 Iraqis Wounded; 13 Iraqis Kidnapped

Updated at 1:10 a.m. EST, Jan. 7, 2008

A spate of bombings marred the Army Day holiday across Iraq. One suicide bombing in Baghdad alone killed at least 11 people. Overall, at least 33 Iraqis were killed and 44 more were wounded during attacks across the country. Another thirteen Iraqis were kidnapped in Khalis. Also, one U.S. soldier was killed.

One MND-B soldier was killed and three more were wounded today during an IED attack in southern Baghdad. Also, a roadside bombing and clashes in Tikrit may have left more American casualties.

In Baghdad, a suicide bomber struck at an Army Day celebration in Karrada, killing as many as 11 people and wounding 17 more. The bombing took place at an event hosted by the Iraqi Unity Gathering. The NGO promotes reconciliation between Iraq’s ethic and religious sects and had invited numerous tribal leaders, clerics, soldiers and civilians as their guests. The holiday celebrates the 1921 founding of the Iraqi Army.

Also in the capital, a car bomb killed three people and wounded 16 others outside a restaurant in Qahira. Three explosions were heard in the Nahda area; one person was killed and four more were wounded at a car shop there. An Awakening Council member was gunned down in Shabb. Also, six unidentified bodies were found.

Mosul was also rocked by a series of bombings outside three Christian churches and a convent; five people were injured during one attack. January 6th marks the Christian Epiphany feast.

The Khalis home of a tribal leader was attacked after the sheikh announced he was setting up an Awakening Council in the city. According to one report he and his wife were killed. Two of his sons were wounded and 13 more family members were kidnapped.

Four disembodied heads were found in Muqdadiya yesterday.

A child hostage was freed in Nasiriya; her abductors were arrested.

A body was found in Kut.

No casualties were immediately reported after explosions were heard at a U.S. base near Fallujah. Rocket fire is thought to have caused the blasts.

The number of casualties following a blast targeting British troops in Basra is unknown.

Joint U.S.-Iraqi forces detained 11 suspects in unspecified locations. Four suspects were killed in Baquba.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis