Monday: 44 Iraqis Killed, 37 Wounded

Updated at 1:00 a.m. EST, Feb. 26, 2008

Turkish forces continued to battle PKK forces in northern Iraq, even as the White House urged Turkey to limit the incursion. The actual number of casualties is unknown as both sides are giving conflicting figures. Elsewhere, at least 44 Iraqis were killed and 37 more were wounded in the latest attacks, but no Coalition deaths were reported.

Turkish authorities claimed to have killed 41 rebels during operations in northern Iraq today, raising their death toll to 153 killed. Rebels countered with their own figures that include 81 dead Turkish troops. Due to the geography and climate, third party confirmation of the figures is impossible.

A mass grave containing eight female bodies was found south of Baquba in Haruja.

In Baghdad, three dumped bodies were recovered. A roadside bomb blast killed three pilgrims and wounded 15 in Zaafaraniya; the bomber was arrested. A traffic cop was wounded during an explosion downtown. Two people were injured during a bombing near Shabb Stadium. A bomb near al-Dayer church and mortars in Qadisiyah left no casualties. Gunmen near al-Tibul mosque failed to injure anyone. Also, U.S. forces arrested the news editor at al-Furat televsion.

A wheelchair-bound suicide bomber killed three policemen, including a senior official, and wounded eight more at a police station in Samarra.

A blast in Mosul left three dead and four wounded from the same family. Gunmen killed four policemen and wounded three others in a separate incident. Also, a boy was killed by a stray bullet during an incident between gunmen and U.S. troops.

Two people were gunned down near a garage in Baquba.

Gunmen killed eight Iraqi army soldiers, including their commanding officer, in Buhriz.

A woman was killed during a home invasion in al-Kawathir, near Baquba.

In Basra, the body of an engineer who was kidnapped a month ago was found. Meanwhile, another engineer was kidnapped. One security guard was killed and two more were wounded during an attack on their oil facility.

A roadside bomb near Qara Tara left two people dead.

In Kirkuk, a roadside bomb left no casualties.

An IED in Balad Ruz wounded two people.

Three suspects were killed and 362 more were arrested in Baghdad last week. U.S. forces arrested eight suspects in Suwayra and captured nine in Buhriz. Seven suspects believed backed by Iran were detained in Baghdad. Eighteen suspects were arrested in Kirkuk. In Anbar, two al-Qaeda suspects were detained. Meanwhile, seven detainees were released in Anbar after no evidence against them could be found.

Also, a video depicting the execution of 12 Nepalese workers in 2004 resurfaced this week.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis