Friday: 2 US Soldiers, 20 Iraqis Killed; 14 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 10:25 p.m. EDT, June 13, 2008

At least 20 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 14 more were wounded in the latest violence. It is the prayer day, so reports are lighter than usual. Two American deaths were reported.

The DOD reported that a U.S. soldier died at an army hospital in Texas, of wounds received on March 23 in Baghdad. Also, an American soldier died yesterday during a roadside bombing in Kadamiyah.

In political news, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reported that negotiations between Iraq and the U.S. over long-term security are at an impasse. The sovereignty of Iraq is at the center of the deadlock. Meanwhile, Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said that only a select few of his followers will be authorized to fight against U.S. forces.

In Baghdad, two dumped bodies were recovered. A roadside bomb failed to produce casualties in the Doura neighborhood. Two civilians were killed and three were wounded during a shootout involving U.S. forces in an industrial neighborhood. Also, a large fire of unknown origin destroyed dozens of shops in the Shorja market; no casualties were reported, but the market is often the target of bombers, especially on the prayer day.

In Mosul, a roadside bomb wounded three policemen.

Two bodies were found close to Baghdad in Madaen.

Five suspects were killed and two were detained during a U.S. operation in Hilla. The suspects are believed to belong to Iranian-backed militias. Police reported that two civilians were killed and three were wounded in the crossfire.

Near Tuz Khormato, a tribal leader, his son, and another person were shot dead. In the last week, three other chieftains were killed in Awja and Tal Afar.

A roadside bomb in Yusufiya killed one person and wounded three others.

In Diwaniya, a police officer was killed while trying to free a hostage.

Two Iraqi soldiers were killed and one was wounded during a bombing in Duluiya.

Twelve suspects were detained and weapons were confiscated in Basra.

In Saidiya, 50 suspects were arrested.

A bomb blast damaged a policeman's home in Kirkuk.

A roadside bomb injured a policeman in Baiji.

A contingent of Iraqi military personnel are on their way to Amara to conduct a large-scale operation similar to one recently conducted in Basra.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis