Thursday: 97 Iraqis Killed, 148 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 11:50 a.m. EST, Mar. 7, 2008

At least 97 Iraqis were killed and 148 more were injured in the latest attacks, which included a major double bombing in central Baghdad. Meanwhile, 2000 American soldiers are scheduled to return home as part of a drawdown in troops. Also, the Interior Ministry is researching how to allow Iraqi journalists to carry weapons for self-protection.

In Baghdad, 68 people were killed and 120 were wounded when a pair of bombs exploded in Karada. Elsewhere, a roadside bomb killed one and wounded five in Waziriya. In Adhamiya, three civilians were wounded during a bomb blast. Also, two dumped bodies were found.

An Iraqi SWAT team conducted a raid that left nine gunmen dead and two injured near Tal Afar. Three team-members were also killed and three more were wounded. Three civilians were wounded as well.

Two Iraqi soldiers were gunned down in Amara.

A roadside bomb killed two women in Iskandariya.

Two Iraqi soldiers were injured during an attack near Kirkuk.

A bomb on a minibus in Hilla injured two passengers.

Four off-duty prison guards were gunned down in Mosul. Also, a car bomb wounded four people.

In Khanaqeen, a roadside bomb killed a police officer and wounded four policemen.

A female body was found in Basra, and a border guard was gunned down.

The body of a Peshmerga fighter who was kidnapped several days ago was found on a river bank.

U.S. soldiers killed an al-Qaeda suspect and arrested 11 others across northern and central Iraq. In a separate incident, U.S. troops killed a man who drew a gun on them and tried to detonate a suicide vest. Also, a "torture house" was discovered.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis