US MEDIA IGNORES ALL THAT HAPPENED IN IRAQ SUNDAY

The media in the United States continues its self-imposed blackout on any news events coming out of Iraq. We, however, feel the families of military personnel deployed to Iraq should know what is happening in Iraq so the following is a report of events in Iraq on Sunday.

Source: http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com/

Baghdad

Iraqi hospital officials report receiving 20 bodies of people killed in fighting between U.S. forces and local fighters in Sadr City. According to Xinhua, an Iraqi Interior Ministry source gives the death toll as 22. Xinhua reports the clashes started around midnight when U.S. forces entered the district. According to one source, the fighting began when an Iraqi humvee was destroyed by a bomb. Xinhua also reports that Abdul-Latif Raiyan, a U.S. spokesman, says an American helicopter attacked a "militia position" in Sadr City, killing nine; and that a mortar attack on an Iraqi police station wounded two people and damaged several vehicles. AFP says that the casualty total includes 52 wounded, and that women and children are among the casualties. (Not clear whether that includes deaths.) According to hospital officials, most of the dead and injured had gunshot wounds. AFP also reports a second U.S. missile strike on Sadr City, but the U.S. has not confirmed it. According to Aswat al-Iraq, Raiyan said that, apart from the helicopter strike, "We have no reports of clashes with members of the Madhi Army in Sadr City at this time." (Maybe he should read the papers. -- C)

McClatchy provides more precise information about some of these incidents. Bomb attack on Iraqi army patrol that destroyed the Humvee occurred at approx. 6:00 am at "55 intersection." Armed clashes that produced majority of casualties occurred at 55 intersection and Falah street. Mortar attack was on special tasks directorate of the Ministry of the Interior at 9:00 am.

Roadside bomb attack on Iraqi army patrol in Zayouna, east Baghdad, injures three soldiers.

Mortar attack near Air Force Club on Palestine Street kills one civilian, injures three.

Police find seven bodies dumped on Saturday. Note: This number has generally been up a bit lately. -- C

Balad

Seven electrical workers who were repairing damaged powerlines are kidnapped. Reports that some have been released, the fate of others is unknown.

Mosul

Gunmen ambush buses carrying college students, kidnap 42 of them, then release them. According to Brig. Gen. Khalif Abdul-Sattar, they released the students "after making sure they were not members of the security forces." It appears that the attack was done in error. They evidently attacked the wrong buses. -- C

Hilla

Sadrist cultural center set ablaze by unknown attackers.

Muqdadiya

Police and Sahwa ("Awakening Council" patrols) find 9 bodies in Al-Zour village.

Near Baquba

Roadside bomb targets a police patrol. No information on casualties.

Samarra

Seven Sahwa members killed in clashes with "al Qaeda" militants.

Bomb attack on house of Sahwa member causes damage, but no casualties.

Kirkuk

Body of a woman with gunshot wounds is found.