Australia Broadcasting Corporation & AntiWar.com – 2008-02-28 22:51:06
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/28/2174901.htm?section=world
US Troops Kill Man with Broken arm
BAGHDAD (February 28, 2008) — US soldiers mistakenly shot dead a man with a broken arm after he ignored warnings and approached their patrol in the Iraqi city of Baquba, a US military spokesman said.
The incident occurred yesterday when a group of US soldiers who were on a patrol saw a man wearing a bulky jacket approach, Major Brad Leighton said.
“The soldiers fired a warning shot but he kept approaching. They then fired on him and killed him,” he said.
The soldiers searched the man and discovered that underneath his jacket, he had a cast on one arm which made his clothing “look bulky.”
“There was nothing suspicious found upon him but the incident is under investigation. It was a mistake… an unfortunate incident,” he said.
Baquba has seen a series of suicide attacks against security forces and civilians.
The city is in Iraq’s dangerous Diyala province – a known Al Qaeda in Iraq stronghold. US and Iraqi forces are currently involved in a massive crackdown in the province targeting Al Qaeda militants.
– AFP
–
Wednesday:
18 Iraqis Killed, 16 Wounded
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
BAGHDAD (February 27, 2008) — Although Baghdad newspapers halted publication in observance of the Arbaeen holiday, a few violent incidents did get reported. Overall, at least 18 Iraqis were killed and 16 were wounded across the country. The situation at the Turkish border remains tense as well. No Coalition deaths were announced.
U.S. Defense Secretary Gates suggested a time limit in which Turkey must wrap up their operations in northern Iraq, but Ankara is resisting such calls. Meanwhile, Turkish authorities claimed that scores more rebels were killed.
In Mosul, a car bomb targeting a police patrol killed two people and wounded another. Two gunmen, one Saudi and one Iraqi, were killed during clashes. Also, three dumped bodies were recovered.
In Baghdad, two dumped bodies were found. One Arbaeen pilgrim was killed and two more were wounded during a roadside bombing in eastern Baghdad. An IED in Ghadeer killed one person and injured two more. The chief of the Iraqi Journalists’ Union died of complications from wounds received four days ago in a shooting in Waziriya. Also, a car bomb was defused in central Baghdad and two gunmen carrying grenades were arrested in Waziriya.
U.S. troops mistakingly killed two civilians in separate incidents in Baquba.
An Iraqi soldier was killed and two others were wounded during an armed attack in Tikrit.
Gunmen killed two Awakening Council members and wounded three others at a checkpoint near Lake Tharthar.
Four off-duty policemen were injured during a drive-by shooting in Baiji.
In Domiz, the police chief escaped an assassination attempt.
A body was found in a drainage ditch near Hilla. He was bound and riddled with bullets.
A truck driver and two workers were kidnapped in Kirkuk.
In Basra, a police officer was gunned down.
A university student was shot dead in Hamdaniyah.
In Saidiya, two people were injured during a roadside bomb explosion.
Sixty detainees were released in Diyala province after proving they were not involved in any crimes.
In Karbala, 17 suspects were detained during operations in a northern district, and another three suspects were captured in a southern neighborhood.
Thursday:
13 Iraqis, 5 Arabs Killed;
12 Iraqis Wounded
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
BAGHDAD (February 28, 2008) — Millions of Shi’ite Muslims are in Karbala today for the Arbaeen religious observance. Violence has been unexpectedly light following attacks on pilgrims earlier in the week. Overall, at least 13 Iraqis were killed and another 12 were wounded in the latest round of violence. Five Arab nationals were killed as well, but no Coalition troop deaths were reported. Meanwhile, U.S. President Bush reiterated the call for Turkish troops to withdraw from northern Iraq quickly.
The Arbaeen festival has gone without a significant hitch in Karbala this year. Although there was a significant bombing on Sunday in Iskandariya, most of the attacks on pilgrims since then have been minor. Three women were arrested for giving away poisoned food; they were among several other people who have been detained.
An al-Qaeda leader and nine assistants, four of them Iraqis, were killed during an operation in the Tharthar region.
In Baghdad, two bodies were found dumped in Zayouna. An assassination attempt on a chairman from the Integrity Committee left him and another man injured, also in Zayouna. In Saadoun, an IED injured two people.
In Mosul, a traffic cop and his son were killed during a drive-by in Tahrir. Also, a bomb near a police station injured six civilians.
An official from the Electric Ministry was kidnapped in Amara.
A captive was freed in Basra.
Three bodies were found in Qaim.
An IED in Habbaniyah left one person dead and two others wounded.
A sniper killed an Awakening Council member in Baquba.
Five homes were set of fire in Mhawla.
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed to have killed 18 Turkish soldiers, but casualty figures during the Turkish incursion into northern Iraq have remained unverifiable.
Also, a spokesman for the popular committees in Diyala province said they had been asked to dissolve their association. This comes in the wake of complaints and protests by the councils that the police chief in Diyala is a Mahdi Army member. In a separate development, the Fallujah police chief noted that al-Qaeda forces are infiltrating the Awakening Council there.
Posted in accordance with Title 17, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.
