Violence Continues in Iraq as Constitutional Referendum Deadline Looms

Strategic Insights -

Tensions escalated in Iraq on Thursday as roadside bombs killed four American soldiers and 43 people died in coordinated bus-depot bombings in Baghdad. The violence was aimed at Shiites, sparking fears of sectarian conflict and derailing the country's political process, including a constitutional referendum in October and national elections at the end of the year. Iraq's Interior Ministry reported that another American military convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Baghdad earlier, but no casualties were reported.

Key Takeaways:

  • Four American soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Samarra on Thursday.
  • 43 people died in coordinated bus-depot bombings in Baghdad, targeting Shiites in an attempt to spread sectarian violence.
  • Iraqi politicians failed to reach a resolution on the country's draft constitution, which has been stalled over Shiite demands for a federal state, the role of Islam in the national government, and revenue sharing from oil fields.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a timetable for withdrawing foreign troops from Iraq, saying it would encourage rebels to participate in rebuilding the country.
  • The United States will send 700 more troops to Iraq to guard American-run prisons, bringing the total number of additional troops to 2,800.
  • Saddam Hussein's deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz, has refused to testify against his former boss and may be released from custody soon.
  • Gunmen killed a judge, Jassem Jassim Wahib Doies, and his driver in southern Baghdad, and two mortars fell on a civilian home, killing a child and wounding four others.
  • American and Iraqi troops killed three civilians, including brothers Khalil, Khalid, and Jamal Hussein, in a raid on their house in western Baghdad, sparking outrage among neighbors.

Statistics:

  • 4: Number of American soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Samarra, Iraq.
  • 43: Number of people who died in coordinated bus-depot bombings in Baghdad, Iraq.
  • 700: Number of additional troops the United States will send to Iraq to guard American-run prisons.
  • 2,800: Total number of additional troops sent to Iraq since the start of the war.
  • 152: Number of separate sessions the American military has questioned Saddam Hussein's deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz.
  • 2: Number of people who were killed by a hand grenade thrown at an Iraqi patrol in Falluja, Iraq.
  • 3: Number of people who were killed in a car bombing in Falluja, Iraq.
  • $2 billion: Amount of Iraq's debt forgiven by Romania as part of a debt relief deal.

Sources:

  • American military press release
  • Iraq's Interior Ministry press release
  • Reuters news agency
  • Itar-Tass news agency
  • Associated Press news agency
  • Romanian government press release