Polling Centers Attacked in Iraq; 39 Killed, 74 Wounded

The Iraqi government is hoping to find a quick solution to a legal problem that could cause the delay of next month’s election. Meanwhile, at least 39 people were killed and 74 more were wounded across Iraq. Dozens were wounded in attacks against polling stations.

Hoping to stave off an election delay, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki asked the Independent High Electoral Commissioners to withdraw the resignations they handed in yesterday. He also called on Parliament to amend a law that is the source of the commission’s frustration. One group, however, would like to see the elections delayed until security is better and the amendment goes through. Arabs in Kirkuk have also found fault with the distribution of the voter cards as many voters appear to be registered far from their residences. Kurds and Turkmen in the province would rather see the election take place on schedule.


In Falluja, artillery fire killed four people and wounded seven more. A militant leader was killed south of the city.

Four gunmen were killed in Saqlawiya.


In Baghdad, a car bomb accidentally exploded at a home in Yusufiya where it killed seven militants and wounded 11 people living nearby. Six militants were killed in two operations. An unidentified body was discovered. A brigadier general was assassinated.

In Mosul, three grenades lobbed at a polling center wounded 30 people. Two more people were wounded at a second polling station. A bomb killed one soldier and wounded eleven others. Gunmen killed two soldiers. One policeman was killed and another was wounded in an I.E.D. blast.

A bomb outside a police officer’s home in Baiji killed five people and wounded four more.

Two policemen were killed and four others were wounded in a bombing in Muqdadiya.

In Baquba, mortar killed a woman, on the eve of her wedding, and wounded four relatives.

Two policemen were gunned down in Shirqat.

Gunmen killed a civilian in Madaen.

Helicopters bombed groves near Arab Jabour but the number of casualties is unknown.

Author: Margaret Griffis

Margaret Griffis is a journalist from Miami Beach, Florida and has been covering Iraqi casualties for Antiwar.com since 2006.