Wednesday: 3 US Soldiers, 32 Iraqis Killed; 72 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 12:50 a.m EST, Jan. 17, 2008

Security in Iraq is heightened for the Ashuraa observances now underway, but numerous bombings have nevertheless left at least 32 Iraqis dead and another 72 wounded. Three U.S. soldiers were killed and another two were wounded during a small arms attck today in Salah ad Din province as well. Also the U.N. suggested that Germany become more involved in security operations in Iraq now that the security situation is safer.

In Baghdad, a roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi army patrol in Bab al-Muadham left three dead and 11 wounded. On Palestine Street, three roadside bombs left a total of three wounded. Two bombs in Zaafaraniya killed one person and wounded four others. A grenade tossed in the Nahdha neighborhood left no casualties. No casualties were also reported during mortar attacks on a U.S. base in Shabb and in the Green Zone. Two Awakening Council members were killed and four were wounded during a small arms attack on their checkpoint. Entrances to the Khadimiya neighborhood were closed ahead of the Ashuraa observances in order to protect pilgrims. Also, five dumped bodies were recovered.

A female suicide bomber killed seven people and wounded 15 near a marketplace and popular mosque in Khan Bani Saad.

In Sulaiman Bik, a suicide bomber wounded four people, including the mayor.

A car bomb wounded the head of the Iraqi-U.S. Joint Coordination Center in Dour, which is near Tikrit. Two bodyguards were wounded as well.

In Mosul, five civilians were wounded during a suicide car bombing that targeted a U.S. patrol in al-Maliyya. Another six civilians were wounded during clashes between the Iraqi army and gunmen in al-Noor. Also, seven suspects were killed yesterday after Iraqi forces came under small arms attack.

Two people were killed and five more were wounded during a roadside bombing near Nahrawan.

A policeman was kidnapped and a university student was killed in a village near Tuz Khormato. They were brothers.

U.S. troops killed one civilian and wounded two others during a "random shooting" in Diyala province.

Near Mosul in al-Arbajiya, five schoolchildren were wounded during clashes between police and gunmen.

A suspect was arrested as he was trying to enter Karbala, where the yearly Ashuraa observances are attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

In Kirkuk, a body belonging to a kidnap victim was found. Also, a roadside bomb in the al-Wassiti neighborhood wounded five people.

In the greater Basra area, police forces freed one hostage in al-Khaseeb and another in al-Thawayherat. Also, a bomb planted behind the al-Tahrir Hospital was defused without casualties.

Iraqi forces detained 65 suspects in Abara.

A large stockpile of arms was found in Missan province.

Also, a power failure stopped production at a Baiji oil refinery.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis