Thursday: 2 US Soldiers, 23 Iraqis Killed; 38 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 11:50 p.m. EST, Jan. 31, 2008

For the third day in a row, Baghdad saw a number of small bombings. At least 23 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 38 more were wounded in attacks across the country. Two U.S. soldiers were also killed. Meanwhile, the head of a parliamentary committee warns of the dire consequences facing Iraqi war widows. Also, military authorities reported that troopmember suicides are up by as much as 20 percent, and Bush administration officials released stricter rules to govern security contractors in Iraq.

A roadside bomb explosion killed an American soldier today in Baghdad, while another U.S. servicember was killed by indirect fire in Tikrit.

In Baghdad, three policemen and three civilians were killed during a roadside bombing in Zayouna. A pair of roadside bombs targeting a convoy on Palestine Street wounded three bodyguards who work for the electricity minister and at least two others. A car bomb killed five people and wounded eight more in Kadhimiya. Four people were wounded during a roadside bombing in Ghadeer. In Karrada, a roadside bomb wounded two civilians. Also, two dumped bodies were found.

Rockets landing on the British base in Basra injured three British soldiers, and as many as 10 Iraqi airport workers as well. British officials denied that a helicopter was destroyed during attacks. One person was killed and five others were wounded when British troops returned fire.

A suspected al-Qaeda leader was killed during a raid on his home in Khalis.

A severed head was found in Suleiman Pek.

A car bomb was detonated near a hospital in Mosul, but no casualties were reported. Two dumped bodies were recovered. A second car bombing left two wounded. Also, nine suspects were detained, and five university students were kidnapped.

Near Mosul in Hamdaniya, three unidentified bodies bearing gunshot wounds were found.

Six people were kidnapped at a fake checkpoint in Khaneqeen.

Two civilians were wounded during clashes in Baquba. Also, two women, who are cousins to the governor of Diyala, were abducted from a fake checkpoint between Abbara and Baquba.

Near Baiji, gunmen killed a father and son at a restaurant.

Although no casualties were reported, officials in Fallujah imposed a curfew after a roadside bomb was detonated near a U.S. patrol.

A Christian boy was kidnapped near Kirkuk.

Also, at least 17 suspects were arrested across Iraq.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis