Friday: 2 US Soldiers, 19 Iraqis Killed; 11 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 9:24 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2008

At least 19 Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded on a quiet prayer day. Sadrist officials reported that Iraqi security forces stopped Friday prayer services in Baghdad and Basra. An American soldier was killed south of Baghdad in an IED attack yesterday. Also, another American soldier was killed while on leave in the United States.

A roadside bomb in Fallujah wounded six Marines in the Bustan Albo district. Their Iraqi interpreter was killed in the incident, but these numbers may change as more information becomes available. A technician was killed, along with five others as he was defusing a separate bomb; three others were wounded in the blast. Also, gunmen tried to storm the home of a local council leader but were repelled by guards.

In Baghdad, Iraqi security forces stopped a prayer service conducted by Sadrist leader and arrested hundreds of people, including nearby shopowners and pedestrians. Three buried bodies were discovered in Shula, while two unidentified bodies were found in Saidiya. Three people were arrested while planting a roadside bomb. Also, there was an explosion in Bayaa, but casualties are as yet unreported.

No one was injured in Mosul when U.S. forces accidentally set a home on fire with a stun bomb. Police arrested five people and confiscated weapons. Also, 150 people turned themselves over to police.

Near Hawija, a roadside bomb killed one person in a car and wounded four others.

Two Iraqi soldiers were shot and wounded near Hasriya.

A woman's body was found near Lake Thar Thar.

Gunmen attacked two Iraqi soldiers near Tuz Khormato.

A large weapons cache was found in Samarra.

Four persons were detained in Rashidiya.

In Kirkuk, 13 suspects were detained.

Six men were captured in Basra. Also, a Sadrist leader accused Iraqi security forces of stopping religious services, but Iraqi authorities denied this.

Five bodies were found in Misherfa.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis