Seventeen people killed and many injured in bombs attacks; Government spokesperson; Iraq will take legal action to ensure justice for the families of 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians killed in a US raid in Haditha seven years ago
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • (January 23-29)

    According to reports, insurgents stepped up attacks around Iraq, killing 17 people around the country, including 10 in a bombing attack on a house of two policemen and their families in central Iraq. At least 190 people have been killed in a wave of attacks by since the beginning of the year, raising concerns that the surge in violence and an escalating political crisis might deteriorate into a civil war, just weeks after the US military withdrawal. Most of the dead in the wave of attacks have been Shia pilgrims and members of the Iraqi security forces. Since the US completed its pullout last month, militant groups mainly al-Qaida in Iraq have stepped up attacks on the country’s majority Shias and government institutions. 1

    In another development, according to reports, Iraq will take legal action to ensure justice for the families of 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians killed in a US raid in Haditha seven years ago, a government spokesman said, after the lone US Marine convicted in the killings reached a deal to escape jail time. Residents in Haditha, a former Sunni insurgent stronghold of about 85,000 people have expressed outrage at the American military justice system for allowing Staff Sgt. Frank Wultrich to avoid prison. ‘The Haditha incident was a big crime against innocent civilians,’ said Ali Al Moussawi, a spokesman for the Iraqi government. ‘We will follow up all legal procedures and judiciary measures’ to seek justice in the case, he added. 2

    Top