Updated at 8:05 p.m. EST, Feb. 17, 2009
At least 6 Iraqis were
killed and 24 more were wounded in new attacks. None of the attacks appeared
to target Arbaeen travelers. No Coalition deaths were reported, but a U.S. army
sergeant will testify
against a fellow servicemember accused of murdering four Iraqi prisoners.
Also, U.S. President Barack Obama promises
to release his roadmap to Iraq and Afghanistan within weeks.
In politically
related news, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the latest foreign
dignitary to visit
Iraq in recent weeks. Separately, the electoral commission is wrapping
up its investigation of a few remaining election complaints, just as women
are struggling
with their newfound role in political offices. Meanwhile, two tribes in Diyala
have agreed to support security
forces. Also, journalist shoe-lobber, Muntazer al-Zaidi, goes on
trial tomorrow.
A pair of coordinated bombs in Baquba killed
two civilians and wounded 13 others, including six policemen. The first bomb
exploded at a food stand. The second struck first responders who arrived to aid
the victims of the first blast. Another source reported
three dead policemen.
Three
support forces members were killed and three more were wounded when a roadside
bomb blasted their convoy near Baiji. The attack was apparently
against a major general.
In Baghdad, a bomb wounded
a member of an Awakening Council in Adhamiya. Also, sixteen suspects
were detained, and four displaced
families returned to their
homes.
Gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade into a Sadr City
school being used as a military barracks. One
Iraqi soldier was killed and another four were injured.
Two
children were wounded during a roadside bomb blast in Hamreem. One
is ten and the other is eight-years-old.
In Mosul, gunmen killed
a Christian man. A policeman
lost a leg when a bomb attached to his car exploded. A suspect was arrested
Gunmen
killed a civilian during a
shooting in Tal Abta.
A police colonel escaped an assassination
attempt near Khalis. No
casualties were reported.
Two bombs were defused
in Dhi Qar.
A bomb was defused
near Nasariya.
A cache containing over 50 mortars was discovered
near Kirkuk.
Meanwhile, the continued role of Awakening Council
(Sahwa) members is being discussed
at a special meeting in Tikrit.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis