2 US Soldiers, 19 Iraqis Killed in War Attacks, Including 2 Executed by Death Squads, According to June 13, 2008 News Reports

Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

Editor's Note:

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

Concerning deaths of US soldiers, only those US citizens who die in Iraq are included in the statistics. There are no published statistics about US soldiers who die of their injuries after that. There are no published statistics about the deaths or injuries of the private army soldiers (security contractors), or about those without US citizenship.

It is noteworthy that May 20, 2008 news reports showed that death squads which execute Iraqis on daily basis are no longer hiding themselves. Previously, Sunni leaders pointed to Mahdi Army and Badr militiamen as the perpetrators. Now, death squads are composed of the US-recruited Sahwa fighters and policemen (which is an opportunity for US forces command to sever relations with these fighters).

Despite the fact that there are scores of organizations involved in the Iraq war, the Iraqi government officials prefer to refer to them as Alqaeda gunmen for propaganda purposes, as mentioned in the June 4, 2008 news report. For accuracy purposes, the term "Alqaeda gunmen" may be replaced with "Iraqi fighters."

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Police officer killed while freeing captive in Diwaniya

Diwaniya - Voices of Iraq
Friday , 13 /06 /2008 Time 10:56:47

Diwaniya, June13, (VOI)-

A police officer was killed on Friday in clashes with gunmen during an operation to free a captive in Diwaniya, southern Iraq, a security source said.
"Police forces clashed with a 7-member gang after receiving information stating it kidnapped an individual and took him to al-Shufa district, 30 km south Diwaniya", a Diwaniya police source, who requested anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq-Voices of Iraq-(VOI).
The source noted "the police captured the gang and set free the captive", adding "a police officer with the rank of major was killed in the clashes".
Al-Shufa district lies between Diwaniya and Muthana provinces and spotted as rife with killing and plundering operations.
Diwaniya, the capital city of Diwaniya province, lies 180 km south Baghdad.
AM/SK

Explosion kills 2 Iraqi troops in Salah al-Din

Salah al-Din - Voices of Iraq
Friday , 13 /06 /2008 Time 10:56:47

Salah al-Din, Jun13, (VOI)-Two Iraqi army troops were killed and a third was wounded in a roadside bomb blast targeting their patrol in Salah al-Din province on Friday, a military source said.
"A roadside bomb went off against an army patrol on al-Bu Slebi area, 20 km east of Deloyia, leaving two troops dead, and third wounded," the source, who requested anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq-Voices of Iraq-(VOI).
The source noted "one of the killed was an officer with the rank of lieutenant".
Meanwhile, the same source said "a joint Iraqi army and police force backed by Dwloyia awakening fighters conducted a raid-and-search operation in villages of al-Bu Slebi and al-Mitibija to search for al-Qaeda operatives".
Deloyia district of Salah al-Din province lies 90 km north of Baghdad
AM/SK

U.S. fatalities in June rise to 14 as 2 soldiers die

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Friday , 13 /06 /2008 Time 10:56:47

Baghdad, Jun 13, (VOI)-

Two U.S. soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Iraq, raising the U.S. fatalities in June to 14, the U.S. army said on Friday.

“A Multi-National Force – West Marine died as the result of a non-combat related incident June 11,” the army said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).
“The incident is under investigation,” it added.
“A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier was killed from wounds sustained when the Soldier’s vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in west Baghdad at approximately 3:30 p.m. June 12,” the army said in another statement.
The deaths raise the death toll of U.S. troops at 4098 since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Of this number, 14 troops were killed in June.
SH

Five civilians killed, wounded in Hilla

Babel - Voices of Iraq
Friday , 13 /06 /2008 Time 10:56:47

Hilla, Jun 13, (VOI)-

Two civilians were killed and three others were wounded on Friday in a shootout in Hilla city, said a police source.

“Two civilians, including a woman, were killed and three more were injured this morning during a crackdown operation followed by a shootout by U.S. forces,” the source, who asked for anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).
No word was available from the U.S. army on the incident.
Hilla, the capital of Babel, is 100 km south of Baghdad.

SH

2 unknown bodies found in Baghdad

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Friday , 13 /06 /2008 Time 10:56:47

Baghdad, Jun 13, (VOI)-

Police forces found on Friday morning two unidentified bodies in southeast of Baghdad, a police source said.

“Policemen found two unknown bodies in al-Madaen region in southeast of Baghdad,” the source, who asked to be unnamed, told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).
“The bodies bore signs of gunshot wounds to the head and the chest,” he added.
“They were sent to the forensic medicine department in Baghdad,” he also said.
He did not add more details.

SH

9 killed, 28 injured until Friday afternoon

Baghdad - Voices of Iraq
Friday , 13 /06 /2008 Time 10:56:47

Baghdad, Jun 13, (VOI)- Nine people were killed and 28 others were injured, while security forces arrested 12 persons in acts of violence that took place in Iraq in the past 24 hours, security sources said.

In Baghdad, a security source said three persons, including one police element, were killed and 15 others were wounded in a car bombing that targeted a police patrol in central Baghdad on Thursday.
Police forces found on Friday morning two unidentified bodies in southeast of Baghdad, a police source said.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Iraq, raising the U.S. fatalities in June to 14, the U.S. army said on Friday.
“A Multi-National Force – West Marine died as the result of a non-combat related incident June 11,” the army said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq (VOI).
“The incident is under investigation,” it added.
“A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier was killed from wounds sustained when the Soldier’s vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in west Baghdad at approximately 3:30 p.m. June 12,” the army said in another statement.
The deaths raise the death toll of U.S. troops at 4098 since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In Mosul, a police source said three policemen were wounded on Friday in a roadside bomb explosion in northern Mosul.
Another police source said two tank drivers were wounded in an attack launched by unknown gunmen against four tanks carrying crude oil in Mosul on Thursday.
The Ninewa operations’ command said that a bomb exploded targeting a police vehicle patrol in al-Sukar neighborhood, wounding a policeman.
Another bomb exploded in al-Muhandeseen neighborhood, wounding a woman.
In Hilla, police said two civilians were killed and three others were wounded on Friday in a shootout in Hilla city.
Meanwhile, in Basra, joint police and army forces arrested 12 wanted men, seized amounts of weapons and ammunitions and defused bombs during security operations in Basra late Thursday, a police source said.
In Wassit, three civilians were wounded on Thursday by a roadside bomb explosion targeting a security care company convoy in Wassit, a security source said.

SH

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Iraq War Report for events of Friday, 13 June 2008.

Translated and/or compiled by Muhammad Abu Nasr,

member, editorial board, the Free Arab Voice.

www.albasrah.net

Friday, 13 June 2008.

·        US forces: five Iranian-backed anti-occupation fighters killed in American raid near al-Hillah Thursday.

·        US aircraft rockets Iraqi police in “friendly fire” incident in al-‘Amarah.

·        Hundreds demonstrate against proposed US long-term occupation treaty in al-‘Amarah as government forces mass outside the city poised to launch wave of repression.

Baghdad.

Fire rages through perfume, cosmetics market in Baghdad before dawn Friday.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 2:38pm Friday afternoon Beijing time (10:38am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported a large fire had erupted in the al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Perfume and Cosmetics Market at about 1am Friday morning. The al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Market is a part of the larger al-‘Arabi Market and the al-Shurjah al-Kabir Grand Market in the center of Baghdad. Fire engulfed an entire building and a number of surrounding shops

Xinhua reported a source in the police as saying that fire fighters were able to get the fire under control and put it out by 8am local time. There were no casualties in the blaze, which is now under investigation.

Salah ad-Din Province.
Tuz Khurmatu.

Tribal leader, his son gunned down by suspected al-Qa‘idah gunmen near Tuz Khurmatu Friday.

In a dispatch posted at 8:50pm Baghdad time Friday night, the Yaqen News Agency reported that gunmen killed three people – a tribal leader, his son, and another man – near Tuz Khurmatu, 185km north of Baghdad on Friday.

Yaqen reported a source in the local police who preferred to remain anonymous as saying that gunmen armed with machineguns opened fire on the tribal leader and the two other men near Tuz Khurmatu, killing them. Once the police arrived on the scene, they cordoned off the area and prevented anyone from approaching the scene of the killing.

Al-Dulu‘iyah.

Bomb kills two policemen in village near ad-Dulu‘iyah.

In a dispatch posted at 5:18pm Baghdad time Friday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a bomb had exploded by a patrol of Iraqi regime soldiers in the ad-Dulu‘iyah area, 97km north of Baghdad.

Babil Province.
Al-Kifl.

Iraqi regime rounds up 13 Jaysh al-Mahdi fighters in southern Babil Province.

In a dispatch posted at 3:40pm Baghdad time Friday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that Iraqi government security forces rounded up 13 members of the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in the al-Kifl area, 140km south of Baghdad.

Yaqen reported a source in the al-Hillah police as saying that army and police units carried out raids and searches in the al-Kifl area on the basis of “intelligence information” indicating that “wanted persons” were present in the area.

Since March, the US-backed Iraqi regime has been actively engaged in an offensive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in Iraq, in what is believed to be preparation for an eventual American attack on Iran.

Al-Hillah.

US forces: five Iranian-backed anti-occupation fighters killed in American raid near al-Hillah Thursday.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 4:07pm Friday afternoon Beijing time (12:07pm in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that the US military had announced that American occupation forces had killed five armed men belonging to “Special Detachments” – a term the US uses for Iranian-trained anti-occupation fighters – in a raid carried out near the city of al-Hillah, 100km south of Baghdad, on Thursday.

Xinhua reported an American communiqué as saying that US forces killed five of the anti-occupation fighters and arrested two more of them in the operation. The communiqué said that the raid was launched on the basis of information acquired following the previous capture and interrogation of other fighters.

The American statement asserted that when US forces arrived in the area they came under attack by small arms fire and hand grenades. The US statement said that the Americans returned fire, killing five of the fighters and capturing two – the commander of the “Special Detachment” and one of his aides. The US forces also claimed to have seized an unspecified quantity of arms and ammunition. Xinhua noted that the US military use the term “Special Detachment” for Iraqi Shi‘i militias linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Since March, the US-backed Iraqi regime has been actively engaged in an offensive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in Iraq, in what is believed to be preparation for an eventual American attack on Iran.

Al-Yusufiyah.

Bomb kills one in al-Yusufiyah.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 2:38pm Friday afternoon Beijing time (10:38am in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that one Iraqi was killed and three more wounded when a bomb exploded inside a car in southern Baghdad.

Xinhua reported a source in the Iraqi police as saying that a bomb went off in a car in the al-Yusufiyah area, 30km south of Baghdad on Friday morning. In addition to killing one person and wounding three more, the blast totally destroyed the car, the source said. The injured people were transported to a nearby hospital.

Maysan Province.
Al-‘Amarah.

US aircraft rockets Iraqi police in “friendly fire” incident in al-‘Amarah.

In a dispatch posted at 6:35pm Baghdad time Friday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a US aircraft rocketed a patrol of its allies the Iraqi government police in an apparent “friendly fire” incident in al-‘Amarah, 290km southeast of Baghdad, on Friday.

Yaqen reported a source in the Maysan Province police as saying that the American aircraft fired an anti-personnel rocket near the Maysan International Sports Field in al-‘Amarah, wounding three of the patrolmen.

US-backed Iraqi forces have been massing in al-‘Amarah for another American-backed drive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia. The wave of American-led offensives against the Shi‘i militia is seen as a preparation for an eventual US offensive against Iran.

Hundreds demonstrate against proposed US long-term occupation treaty in al-‘Amarah as government forces mass outside the city poised to launch wave of repression.

In a dispatch posted at 4:33pm Baghdad time Friday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that hundreds of residents of al-‘Amarah, 290km southeast of Baghdad, defied a massive buildup of Iraqi regime troops to take part in mass demonstrations against the proposed treaty with the United States that would give Washington the right to perpetuate its occupation of Iraq indefinitely.

Yaqen reported eyewitnesses in al-‘Amarah as saying that protestors took to the streets following Friday midday prayers in mass rallies condemning the proposed long-term treaty. The protestors chanted slogans against the US occupation and the American-backed regime of Nuri al-Maliki.

Hassan Muhammad, one of the protestors, told Yaqen that the demonstrators called al-Maliki and his government “stooges of the occupation” and chanted slogans denouncing the US occupation of Iraq.

On Thursday evening, Yaqen had reported a source in the Operations Command for the Iraqi regime in Maysan Province as saying that a large force of government troops and police had driven south into the province from Baghdad on Thursday, while another force drove in from the southern province of al-Basrah. They all assembled in the base at al-Butayrah Airport northwest of al-‘Amarah, the Maysan Province capital, 290km southeast of Baghdad to prepare for a massive operation designed to suppress opposition to the US occupation and the American-backed regime in Baghdad.

The source would not say when Operation “Impose the Law” was to commence, disclosing only that the US-backed forces would take up positions and wait for Zero Hour, at which time they would begin their campaign of raids, searches, and roundups of “wanted men,” i.e., opposition groups and figures.

Since March, the US-backed Iraqi regime has been actively engaged in an offensive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in Iraq, in what is believed to be preparation for an eventual American attack on Iran.

At-Ta’mim/Kirkuk Province.
Kirkuk.

Bomb wounds policeman in Kirkuk.

In a dispatch posted at 6pm Baghdad time Friday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a bomb exploded near the home of a policeman in Kirkuk, 250km north of Baghdad, on Friday.

Yaqen reported a source in the local police as saying that a bomb that had been planted near the home of a policeman in the al-Khadra’ neighborhood of southwestern Kirkuk, exploded and wounded the policeman, whose house was also damaged in the blast. The injured man was taken to Kirkuk General Hospital for treatment.

Ninwa Province.
Al-Mawsil.

Bomb wounds three policemen in al-Mawsil midday Friday.

In a dispatch posted at 2:20pm Baghdad time Friday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that three policemen were wounded when a bomb exploded in al-Mawsil, 420km northwest of Baghdad at midday Friday.

Al-Basrah Province.
Al-Basrah.

Iraqi regime forces arrest 12 more anti-occupation militiamen in continued offensive against Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in al-Basrah.

In a dispatch posted at 9:55am Baghdad time Friday morning, the Yaqen News Agency reported that joint forces of Iraqi regime army and police units continued their offensive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in the southern province of al-Basrah on Thursday, arresting we more individuals it said belonged to the militia.

Yaqen reported a source in the police as saying that the operations, on Thursday evening, consisted of raids and searches in various parts of al-Basrah, in the course of which 12 Jaysh al-Mahdi fighters were arrested and various weapons were seized. The source clamed that four 182mm mortar shells, four Kalashnikov assault rifles, one hand grenade and various other items were seized.

Since March, the US-backed Iraqi regime has been actively engaged in an offensive against the anti-occupation Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in Iraq, in what is believed to be preparation for an eventual American attack on Iran.