Thursday, July 11, 2013

An average of 22.6 violent deaths a day so far in July

National Iraqi News Agency reports that 2 Ramadi bombings left three police officers injured, 1 police officer was shot dead in Mosul,  a hand grenade attack on Council Member Hamam al-Alil left al-Alil injured, 2 Kirkuk car bombings left twelve people injured, 3 suicide bombers attacked a Ramadi police station leaving 2 police officers dead and four more injured, and a Tuz Khurmatu bombing. How many dead?  The number has risen.  UPI reports 6 dead and twenty-eight wounded.

On the Tuz Khurmatu bombing, Alsumaria reports that Turkemn leader Muhammad Mahdi al-Bayati is declaring the Kurds are responsible.  All Iraq News notes he's insisting the attacks are political and a means to apply Article 140.  That's Article 140 of the Constitution.  It was supposed to have been implemented, per the Constitution, no later than the end of 2007.  Nouri has refused to implement it.  It calls for a census and referendum on Kirkuk to determine whether or not the oil-rich area becomes part of the Kurdistan Regional Government or part of the central government out of Baghdad.

In addition, Press TV reports 14 security forces were killed last night in Barwana.  AP reports on it here.  All Iraq News notes a Tikrit bombing claimed the life of 1 police officer.  Through Wednesday, Iraq Body Count counts 226 violent deaths for month so far -- which averages out to 22.6 deaths a day so far this month.  Al Rafidayn has a disturbing story on Tuesday's violence in Baghdad which included attacks on a shop owner but, most disturbing, assailants killed a baby and put the corpse on the roof of a house.



From yesterday's snapshot:









One of the big  stories in Iraq since last week has been the Under-20 World Cup.  Marcus Ghristenson (Guardian) reports:

On the Saturday night, Ali Yaseen was part of the Iraq squad that stunned Chile to reach the last 16 of the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey. On Sunday morning his club back in Iraq, Karbala, announced that their coach, Mohammed Abbas al-Jabouri, had died from the injuries suffered in an attack by anti-terrorism police during a match the previous weekend.
Yaseen, 19, had taken his place on the bench for the game in the knowledge that his coach was in a coma and that seven of his team-mates had been injured in the attack, several of them critically. He knew, too, that if he had not been selected for the Under-20 World Cup, he would most probably have been playing in the match against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and could, quite possibly, have ended up in hospital with life-threatening injuries.


AP explains the results of today's match with this headline "Uruguay spoils Iraq's fairy tale run after penalties, joining France in U-20 World Cup final."  Kevin McCauley (SB Nation) reports:

Ali Adnan, an experienced senior international for Iraq, netted the opening goal with an absolutely stunning free kick, scoring his second goal of the tournament. It appeared that he would attempt to play an in-swinging cross on a free kick from the right flank, 30 yards from goal, but instead he opted to rip a bending shot towards the top corner at the near post. Uruguay keeper Guillermo De Amores actually saw and reacted to the shot well, but it was so well placed and it with so much power that he had no chance to make a save.
Uruguay had a number of good chances throughout the match, but struggled to make the most of them. Iraq goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed was erratic, but ultimately very effective and made a number of big saves and clearances. However, he wasn't able to keep a clean sheet. In the 87th minute, Felipe Avenatti won a header in a crowd and nodded down to Gonzalo Bueno, who finished from 12 yards to level the match and force extra time.

All Iraq News notes that Ali Adnan and Mohamed Hamid were injured when they crashed into one another and that the game "was suspended to transport the two Iraqi players for treatment, then they returned to the field."


 Eric Willemsen (AP) explains, "Streets and cafes in Baghdad and other cities were the scene of jubilant celebrations after the wins over Paraguay and South Korea, but the streets remained calm on Wednesday.  Iraq also drew a lot of Turkish fans, who switched allegiance after the host team lost in the first knockout round."  This was the first time in 12 years that Iraq had qualified for the semi-finals so despite today's outcome, this was a historic victory for them.  In addition to having to compete in the match, they also had to deal today with rumors that sought to disqualify the team.  Eric Williemsen (AP) reports that FIFA cleared them today of charges that any member of their team was 21 or older (which would make them too old to compete).


 Iraqiya leader Ayad Allawi Tweeted the following yesterday:

    1. 16h
      جهود مباركة لمنتخب الشباب الوطني بهذا الانجاز، فهم بحق فخرٌ لنا بتحقيقهم المراكز المتقدمة ورفع أسم عالياً
      Hide photo
      2:30 PM - 10 Jul 13 · Details

 Allawi is congratulating the team on making the semi-finals and saying that all of Iraq is proud of them for that historic accomplishment.


And for those who worry that I don't give thug Nouri al-Maliki enough attention, here are some of his Tweets:


  1. 13 Apr
    THis is the picture of the month my dear followers- please enjoy and remember our Iranian masters...
    View photo
  2. 13 Apr
    Yo Nouri - my picture is better than yours...
    Expand
  3. 19 Feb
    Haha, we like this We will make him Deputy Prime Minister. He is friendlier than Hussain Shahristani and probably smells better
    Expand
  4. 18 Feb
    I would not be in power if it weren't for the illiterate shroog. I am grateful to them and you should be as well.
    View conversation
  5. 18 Feb
    Another pondering in these difficult times... Should I get hair plugs?
    Expand
  6. 18 Feb
    You know, it's not easy being the PM of a country like Iraq. I have a lot of weighty decisions to make. Like, do I need Botox?
    Expand


No, those aren't really Nouri's Tweets but someone spoofing him and Tweeting under his name.  Your first clue it wasn't Nouri?  Nouri has no sense of humor.


The following community sites -- plus Chocolate City, Susan's On the Edge, The Diane Rehm Show, Pacifica Evening News, Antiwar.com, Adam Kokesh and NYT's At War  -- updated last night and this morning:


The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.






iraq iraq iraq iraq iraq iraq
Posted by at