Iraqi soldiers and riot police stormed Camp Ashraf, where Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) members were based, triggering violent clashes that left at least 260 people injured. The camp, which was disarmed by US soldiers following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, was being overseen by US soldiers and was handed over to Iraqi forces about three months ago1.

A new opposition group registered surprising gains in elections in Kurdistan, even though the two ruling parties have maintained a strong grip on power. Kurdish President Massoud Barzani was re-elected securing almost 70 percent of the vote, while the leading candidate from the opposition party, Kamal Mirawdeli, received 25 percent of the vote. A coalition of the two ruling parties — Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani’s Patriotic Union of Kurdistan — received over 57 percent of the vote for the 111-seat parliament. The opposition Gorran (Change) party took about 23 percent. Nearly 80 percent of the over 2.5 million eligible voters cast their votes. Reports noted that the high turnout reflected voter frustration with allegations of corruption within the ruling coalition, nepotism, media intimidation and heavy-handed behavior by private security agencies2.

Bombs exploded outside four Shiite mosques around Baghdad and killed at least 19 people during the week. While numerous attacks have taken place on Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad and in predominantly Shiite marketplaces in recent months, attacks on the city’s mosques have been rare3.

• 1. ”Iraqi forces storm MKO camp,” Tehran Times, July 30, 2009, at http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=199862
• 2. “Ruling parties keep power in Kurdish vote,” Khaleej Times, July 30, 2009, at http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2...
• 3. Sam Dagher, “Bombs Outside Mosques in Baghdad Kill at Least 19,” New York Times, August 1, 2009, at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html?_r=1&hp=&...