Wednesday: 49 Iraqis Killed, 39 Injured

Updated 6:25 p.m. EDT, Oct. 26, 2006

The end of the Muslim holy period of Ramadan was thought to mark the beginning of a more peaceful time in Iraq; however, the killings and attacks continue at only a slightly decelerated pace. Today at least 49 Iraqis were killed and another 39 were injured in ongoing violence throughout the country. No foreign military deaths were reported, but one U.S. soldier is still MIA, and U.S. forces launced an air raid on Sadr City.

In Baghdad, Iraqi forces launched a raid against "death squads" based in the Sadr City section of the capital. When they came under fire, the Iraqi troops asked for American support. U.S. air strikes then killed ten and wounded 20. Elsewhere in the capital, a roadside bomb wounded two policemen in the Camp Sara neighborhood, and four handcuffed bodies bearing gunshot wounds and evidence of torture were found in the Yarmouk district. Searches continue for a kidnapped American soldier.

On the Syrian border at Husaybah, two suicide car bombers were killed and another was injured after they detonated their cargo at a market. A bystander was also wounded.

Four bound and gagged corpses were found in Mahmudiya.

In Tal Afar, three soldiers were killed and another two wounded when a bomb exploded in the home they were entering.

A suicide truck driver set off his explosives near a hospital in Baquba; two policemen were killed and three civilians were wounded. A policeman and another Iraqi were killed in separate incidents in the Garf al-Malh neighborhood.

In Yusufiya, a mortar killed one man and wounded three others.

Six were killed in Balad Ruz when a roadside bomb blasted their vehicle. Other attacks wounded an unspecified number of people in the area.

In Diwaniya, four people were wounded when a grenade was tossed at their home. Also, gunmen wounded three policemen and killed an Iraqi soldier in separate incidents.

Seven bodies were recovered in the Al-Khensa area of Suwayrah. The dead men were handcuffed and bore evidence of torture as well as gunshot wounds. One was identified as a previously kidnapped electric company security guard.

Seven bound and shot bodies were found scattered around Mosul.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis