3 US Soldiers, 61 Iraqis Killed, Including 35 by US Forces in Sadr City, According to April 30, 2008 News Reports

3 US Soldiers, 61 Iraqis Killed, Including 35 by US Forces in Sadr City, According to April 30, 2008 News Reports

Editor's Note:

Only God knows how many Iraqis are killed everyday. The following represents part of the reporting but the actual number of deaths should very much exceed what's reported.

Yaqen.net reported today that the initial investigations show that Mahdi Army militiamen were the perpetrators who killed the victims of Al-Mahmoudiya mass graves. One grave included 50 corpses and another included 51 corpses. The Iraqi government stopped digging for other mass graves.

***

The Mahdi Army militia was part of the US-backed government of Maliki when its fighters committed these atrocities, part of the defunct scheme of ethnic cleansing to divide Iraq on ethnic lines.

However, bodies of murdered Iraqis are found everyday despite the fighting between US-led forces and Mahdi Army militia. This gives evidence that Mahdi Army militiamen are not the only ones involved in death squad operations.

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Joint forces kill 20 alleged al-Qaeda fighters in Diala

Diala - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Diala, Apr 30, (VOI) -

Twenty alleged al-Qaeda network fighters were killed during a joint U.S.-Iraqi operation conducted in Diala, the province police chief said.

“Police forces backed by Multi-National troops conducted a military operation in the region between Baladruz and Kana'an district of Ba'aqouba city,” Brig. Gen Ghanim al-Quraishi, Diala police chief, told Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI).

The police official pointed out “20 al-Qaeda network fighters, including six commanders who were non-Iraqi Arab nationals, were killed in the operation.”

Earlier, the operation site saw the abduction of a minibus carrying Diala University students by an armed group believed to be al-Qaeda network ten days ago, but who were later released on the same day.
Ba'aqouba, the capital city of Diala province, lies 57 km north-east Baghdad.
AM/SR

Police patrols find 2 bodies in Salah al-Din

Salah al-Din - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Salah al-Din, Apr 30, (VOI) -

Police forces on Wednesday found two bodies of a man and his wife dumped in Tikrit, a Salah al-Din security source said.

“Police patrols found two bodies dumped in al-Dayaoom neighborhood, Tikrit city,” a source from the Joint Coordination Center(JCC) in Salah al-Din said.

The source identified “the two bodies as a man working as a manual laborer and his wife.”
“The two were tortured to death by unknown gunmen,” he added.

Tikrit, the capital city of Salah al-Din province, lies 175 km north of Baghdad.

Elsewhere, US-recruited Sahwa (Awakening) council forces arrested two alleged al-Qaeda network fighters during a raid operation in al-Bu Hishma village near Balad town.”
Balad, Salah al-Din province, lies 110 km north of Baghdad.
AM/SR

U.S. soldier's death pushes monthly toll to 7-month high in Iraq

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Baghdad, Apr 30, (VOI) -

The killing of a U.S. soldier in a roadside bombing in Baghdad pushed the death toll for U.S. troops in April up to 47, making it the deadliest month since September 2007, the US military said Wednesday.

“A Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldier was killed from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device during a dismounted patrol in northern Baghdad on April 30,” said a U.S. military statement received by Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq – (VOI).

The statement did not give a more specific location. But the eastern half of Baghdad includes embattled Sadr City and other neighborhoods that have been the focus of intense combat between militiamen loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and U.S.-Iraqi troops for more than a month.

The death bring the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the beginning of military operations in March 2003 to 4059. Of this number, 47 soldiers have been so far killed in April, marking it as the deadliest month since September 2007.
AM/SR

U.S. army says two soldiers killed in Baghdad

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Baghdad, Apr 30, (VOI)-

The U.S. army said on Wednesday that two of its soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in Baghdad.

“A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier was killed after the vehicle he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device at approximately 10:15 p.m. in northwestern Baghdad April 29,” the army said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI).

“A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier was killed from wounds sustained when he was attacked with small-arms fire by insurgents at approximately 8:50 p.m. April 29 in northwestern Baghdad,” the army said in another statement.

The deaths bring the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the beginning of military operations in March 2003 to 4058. Of this number 46 soldiers have been so far killed in April.
SH

35 killed, 129 injured in 24 hours in Sadr City – medic

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Baghdad, Apr 30 (VOI)-

The death toll from the clashes in Sadr City in the past 24 hours reached 35 dead and 129 wounded, a medical source said on Wednesday.

“The death toll from the fierce armed confrontations in Sadr City reached 35 dead and 129 injured,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“Women and children were also wounded in the shelling of four houses,” he added, pointing out that they were rushed to al-Sadr and Imam Ali hospitals in Sadr City for treatment.

Hundreds of Sadr supporters were killed or wounded in intense fighting, which still continues.

SH

4 US-recruited Sahwa fighters killed, injured in blast near Kirkuk

Kirkuk - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Kirkuk, Apr 30, (VOI)-

Two US-recruited Awakening Council (Sahwa) fighters were killed on Wednesday and two more were wounded in a bomb blast near their vehicle patrol in al-Huwaiyja district, southwest of Kirkuk, a police source said.

“An improvised explosive device went off targeting an Awakening Council fighters’ vehicle patrol in al-Ahnaf village in al-Abasi region in al-Huwaiyja district, southwest of Kirkuk, killing two fighters and injuring two others,” the source, who preferred anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“The wounded were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment,” he said, adding no more details.
The Awakening Councils (Sahwa) are anti-Qaeda fighters working in coordination with the Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) and the Iraqi government.
Kirkuk is 250 km northeast of Baghdad.

SH

At least 925 killed in Sadr city clashes- spokesman

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Wednesday , 30 /04 /2008 Time 9:41:27
Baghdad, Apr 30, (VOI) -

More than 900 people have been killed in clashes between militiamen and security forces in Baghdad's Sadr City that broke out last month, a senior Iraqi official said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference with U.S. army spokesman Kevin Bergner held in Baghdad, Tahseen al-Shaikhly, civil spokesman for Baghdad's security plan, put “the casualty toll from military operations launched by U.S.-Iraqi forces since March 25 at 925 deaths and 2605 wounded.”

The Iraqi government launched a major crackdown dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan (Knights' Assault) on gunmen in Basra, resulting in clashes erupting between government security forces and Mahdi Army militiamen loyal to Shi'i cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Baghadad and major southern cities.
Although heavy fighting disappeared in Basr and major cities, it intensified in Baghdad, particularly in the Shiite slum Sadr city.

Al-Shaikhly pointed out, “86 schools were closed due to threats targeting students and teachers.”
“Six hospitals in Sadr city and another one in al-Habibiya district were closed as gunmen adopted them as base for attacking vehicles carrying medicine and medical items” he added.

Al-Shaikhly noted “only 22 out of 77 vehicles dedicated for carrying oil products were able to enter Sadr city as gunmen targeted them trying to rob them, in addition to denying access to ambulances and vehicles carrying blood for patients and those repairing electrical power lines.”

From its side, the Multi-National Forces spokesman Kevin Bergner said, “The projectiles randomly launched by gunmen left 40 civilians killed and 370 others injured in Baghdad during the past weeks.”
He blamed Islamic groups of “ randomly launching rockets and mortar from east Baghdad's Sadr city and its perimeters.”
AM/SR

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Iraq War Report for events of Tuesday, 29 April 2008. Translated and/or compiled by Muhammad Abu Nasr, member, editorial board, the Free Arab Voice.

Tuesday, 29 April 2008.

· US air strike kills 24 in impoverished Madinat as-Sadr district Tuesday afternoon.

· Mortar shells slam into “Green Zone” Tuesday.

· US admits six American troops wounded in continued assaults on impoverished Madinat as-Sadr district in Baghdad.

· US admits one soldier killed in rocket attack Monday afternoon.

· US admits three more American troops killed Monday as US presses offensive against Jaysh al-Mahdi in eastern Baghdad.

Baghdad.

US air strike kills 24 in impoverished Madinat as-Sadr district Tuesday afternoon.

In a dispatch posted at 7:55pm Baghdad time Tuesday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that as-Sadr Hospital in the impoverished Madinat as-Sadr district of Baghdad on Tuesday received 85 dead and wounded victims of American air bombardments.

Yaqen reported for several weeks, American occupation troops have been waging an offensive against Madinat as-Sadr, a stronghold of support for anti-occupation Shi‘i religious leader Muqtada as-Sadr, in an apparent preparation for an eventual US assault on Iran.

A source in the as-Sadr Hospital (which was called al-Kindi Hospital before the US invasion) told Yaqen that the US air strikes on districts 10 and 11 of Madinat as-Sadr left 24 people dead and 61 wounded Tuesday afternoon.

Mortar shells slam into “Green Zone” Tuesday.

In a dispatch posted at 4:20pm Baghdad time Tuesday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that five mortar shells blasted into the top security “Green Zone” area of Baghdad where the American occupation regime has its headquarters.

Yaqen reported a US spokesman as saying that one of the shells landed in the al-Qadisiyah area within the “Zone.” The spokesman claimed, however, that the barrage caused no casualties.

US admits six American troops wounded in continued assaults on impoverished Madinat as-Sadr district in Baghdad.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 7:33pm Tuesday evening Beijing time (3:33pm in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that the US military announced that its troops had killed 28 anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militiamen in the continued US offensive against the impoverished Madinat as-Sadr district of eastern Baghdad.

Xinhua reported a US communiqué as claiming that Jaysh al-Mahdi militiamen equipped with light arms attacked an American patrol that was making an incursion into Madinat as-Sadr. One American was wounded in that ambush. As the US troops were evacuating the soldier, the American statement said, two bombs went off and a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the retreating US troops who were also under small-arms fire. One of the US vehicles was destroyed in the attack and two American soldiers were wounded. Yet another American soldier was wounded in the various American assaults on Madinat as-Sadr and he was evacuated to hospital for treatment.

The US statement said that one other American vehicle was destroyed in a third explosion that wounded two more US troops in the course of the fighting.

The continuing American offensive against Baghdad’s Madinat as-Sadr district, a stronghold of the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, is believed to be in preparation for an eventual US attack on Iran.

Official in Iraqi regime Ministry of Labor and Social affairs assassinated Tuesday morning.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 3:26pm Tuesday afternoon Beijing time (11:26am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that a bomb exploded in front of the house of an Iraqi government official killing him as he was on his way to work Tuesday morning.

Xinhua reported a source in the Iraqi police as saying that the bomb killed Diya’ al-Judi, General Director of the Department of Projects in the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry, when it went off in front of the official’s home in the northern Baghdad district of al-‘Atifiyah.

The source added that two of al-Judi’s companions were wounded in the attack, which the regime immediately began to investigate.

US admits one soldier killed in rocket attack Monday afternoon.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 2:46pm Tuesday afternoon Beijing time (10:46am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that the US military had announced that one more of its soldiers had been killed in a Katyusha rocket attack in western Baghdad.

Xinhua reported the US communiqué as saying that the attack took place at 4:15pm local time Monday afternoon, but gave no further details. On Monday the “Green Zone” cam under mortar and rocket attack in the latest of the attacks US officials blame on fighters linked to the Shi‘i anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia.

US admits three more American troops killed as US presses offensive against Jaysh al-Mahdi in eastern Baghdad.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 8:36am Tuesday morning Beijing time (4:36am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that the US military had admitted that three of its soldiers had died in mortar and Katyusha attacks in eastern Baghdad on Monday.

Xinhua reported the American communiqué as saying that the attack took place at 1:05pm Monday in eastern Baghdad. The US has been pressing its offensive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in eastern Baghdad for several weeks in what is believed to be the preparation for an eventual US attack on Iran.

Resident of Abu Dushayr claims US troops killed two Monday evening.

In a dispatch posted at 4:33pm Baghdad time Tuesday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that US troops killed two residents of the Abu Dushayr area of Baghdad on Monday evening.

Yaqen reported a local witness who refused to identify himself as saying that two people were gunned down by US troops but gave no indication as to why the Americans allegedly killed the men.

Salah ad-Din Province.

At-Tarimiyah.

Commander of tribal “Awakening” police in at-Tarimiyah killed following argument.

In a dispatch posted at 9:25pm Baghdad time Tuesday night, the Yaqen News Agency reported that unknown armed mena assassinated the commander of the tribal “Awakening” police in the al-Khadra’ neighborhood of at-Tarimiyah, 30km north of Baghdad,

Diyala Province.

Balad Ruz.

Bomb targets Iraqi army patrol near Balad Ruz Tuesday.

In a dispatch posted at 3:50pm Baghdad time Tuesday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a bomb exploded by an Iraqi army patrol in the Balad Ruz area, 65km northeast of Baghdad, on Tuesday.

Jalawla’.

Three shot to death.

In a dispatch posted at 3:50pm Baghdad time Tuesday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that unknown armed men opened fire on three people in the Jalawla’ area, 120km northeast of Baghdad.

Abu Sayda.

Woman belt bomber from al-Qa‘idah kills two “Awakening” tribal policemen in Abu Sayda Tuesday morning.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 3:24pm Tuesday afternoon Beijing time (11:24am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that a woman wearing an explosive belt blew herself up at a check point manned by tribal “Awakening” police in the Abu Sayda area, 90km northeast of Baghdad on Tuesday morning.

Xinhua reported a source in the Iraqi security forces as saying that the blast killed two “Awakening” tribal policemen and wounded 10 more of them, some of those severely. Ambulances raced to the scene to transport the casualties to hospital for treatment.

Xinhua noted that the al-Qa‘idah organization has increasingly been using women to carry out its revenge attacks targeting the “Awakening” police, a tribal contingent set up specifically to combat al-Qa‘idah.

At-Ta’mim Province.

Kirkuk.

Bomb targets police patrol in Kirkuk.

In a dispatch posted at 12:35pm Baghdad time midday Tuesday, the Yaqen News Agency reported that bomb had exploded by a group of policemen in Kirkuk, 250km north of Baghdad.

Bomb wounds police, civilians in Kirkuk.

In a dispatch posted at 10:50am Baghdad time Tuesday morning, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a bomb exploded by an Iraqi army patrol in western Kirkuk, 250km north of Baghdad.

Ninwa Province.

Al-Mawsil.

Al-Qa‘idah car bomb attacker kills Iraqi army soldier in Tuesday afternoon attack in al-Mawsil.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 7:19pm Tuesday evening Beijing time (3:19pm in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that a man driving an explosives-laden car blasted into an Iraqi army patrol in the al-Yarmuk district of western al-Mawsil, 420km northwest of Baghdad on Tuesday afternoon.

Xinhua reported a source in the city police as saying that the car bomb attack killed one soldier and wounded five more of them. The injured men were taken to hospital for treatment after the attack. Two of the cars in the patrol were damaged in the blast as well.

Xinhua noted that it was the second suicide attack carried out in the city where tension is high because of increased al-Qa‘idah activity.

Iraqi regime troops foil attempted truck bombing by al-Qa‘idah in al-Mawsil.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 3:33pm Tuesday afternoon Beijing time (11:33am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that Brigadier General Khalid ‘Abd as-Sattar, the spokesman for the Operations Command of Ninwa Province had claimed that Iraqi regime troops had foiled an attempt by a suicide bomber to blow up an explosives-laden truck near the Iraqi army headquarters in al-Mawsil, 420km northwest of Baghdad.

Xinhua reported ‘Abd as-Sattar as announcing that a bomber driving a booby-trapped tank truck stormed into an army post in the at-Tanak neighborhood of western al-Mawsil on Tuesday morning. He said that the troops at the post were suspicious of the vehicle and began firing rocket-propelled grenades at it when it was still 300 meters from the building. The truck blew up and was destroyed in a ball of flame at 7am local time.

The enormous explosion was heard throughout the city and had been caused by the mass of explosives packed in the tanker. One soldier was wounded by flying shrapnel and some material damage was done to nearby buildings. The atmosphere in the city of al-Mawsil is particularly tense due to increased activity by the al-Qa‘idah organization there.

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