Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Council Gives Iraq Security Deal Final Approval

Two bombings claim lives of Iraqi civilians, US troops

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 4, 2008 10:43 AM CST

(AP) – Iraq's presidential council today approved the security pact that lays out a 3-year timeframe for US troops to leave— the final step for the agreement to replace a UN mandate that expires Dec. 31, the AP reports. As the final legal hurdle to the deal was cleared, American soldiers and Iraqi civilians alike faced another round of deadly bombings by insurgents trying to chip away at recent security gains.

Two suicide bombers in explosives-laden trucks took aim at police stations in the former Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah today, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 100. A suicide car bomber also killed two US soldiers and wounded nine Iraqi civilians near a checkpoint in the northern city of Mosul.

An Iraqi woman reacts as she holds an Iraqi flag during a demonstration against the US-Iraqi security pact, in Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Ola al-Rifai)

Iraqi Presidency Council Chief Nasir al-Ani speaks to reporters after a meeting with other political leaders at the Iraqi President's office on November 23, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Getty Images)

U.S. and Iraqi soldiers stand by the crater created by a car bomb near the entrance to a police academy in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

US Weapons Caused Birth Defects in Fallujah

Study finds link to weapons like depleted uranium

(NEWSER) - US weapons likely caused a horrifying spike in birth defects among the people of Fallujah, according to doctors and a recent study of hair samples. Evidence has long connected American weapons like white phosphorous and depleted uranium to birth defects in the Iraqi city, which suffered devastating US attacks in 2004. But now a study of hair samples of parents with deformed children has detected uranium, a dangerous substance known to cause cancer, Al Jazeera reports. More»

Wave of Bombings Targets Iraq's Shiites, Killing 72

Heightens fears that attacks will increase now that US has withdrawn

(AP) - A wave of bombings targeting Shiites in Iraq killed 72 people today, deepening sectarian tensions that exploded just after the last American troops left the country in mid-December. The bombings began early in the morning when explosions struck two Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, killing at least 27 people. A few hours later, a suicide attack hit Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy Shiite city of Karbala, killing 45; those explosions took place about 200 miles southeast of Baghdad. More»

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

(NEWSER) - At least 63 people have been killed as powerful explosions ripped Baghdad early today in the first major violence in Iraq since US troops left. Nearly 200 people were wounded as bombers believed linked to Al-Qaeda in Iraq targeted schools, grocery stores and government buildings, reports the New York Times . The attacks come amid increasing upset in Iraq's fledgling government as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki threatens to abandon a government power-sharing arrangement. Observers fear that worsening relationships among the ethnic groups will inspire further terrorism that will plunge the country into chaos. More»

As US Leaves Iraq, It Eyes a Beefier Gulf Presence

US military looking to increase defense ties with states around region

(NEWSER) - The United States may be pulling out of Iraq by the end of 2011 , but that doesn't mean it's getting out of the Persian Gulf—in fact, the US military is looking to boost its combat presence in Kuwait and increase its military ties to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, reports the New York Times . With Iran looking to flex its muscles and other states looking unstable, the US military wants to create a new “security architecture” for the region, integrating air, sea, and missile defenses. More»

A First: No US Deaths in Iraq in August

Iraqi crackdown, US strikes helped

(NEWSER) - As the US approaches its end-of-year deadline for withdrawing all troops from Iraq, August saw a milestone: It was the first month since the US-led invasion began in March 2003 that saw no American military deaths. The previous record was one soldier death in December 2010, and a military spokesperson notes that there have been two other months that saw no hostile deaths—but did see at least one non-combat death, “which includes accidents or illness,” she tells AFP . Since the invasion began, 4,474 American troops have died. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Council Gives Iraq Security Deal Final Approval

Two bombings claim lives of Iraqi civilians, US troops

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • police • US military • bombing • Mosul • Iraq parliament • Fallujah

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Weapons Caused Birth Defects in Fallujah

Study finds link to weapons like depleted uranium

Wave of Bombings Targets Iraq's Shiites, Killing 72

Heightens fears that attacks will increase now that US has withdrawn

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

As US Leaves Iraq, It Eyes a Beefier Gulf Presence

US military looking to increase defense ties with states around region

A First: No US Deaths in Iraq in August

Iraqi crackdown, US strikes helped

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Council Gives Iraq Security Deal Final Approval

Two bombings claim lives of Iraqi civilians, US troops

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • police • US military • bombing • Mosul • Iraq parliament • Fallujah

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Weapons Caused Birth Defects in Fallujah

Study finds link to weapons like depleted uranium

Wave of Bombings Targets Iraq's Shiites, Killing 72

Heightens fears that attacks will increase now that US has withdrawn

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

As US Leaves Iraq, It Eyes a Beefier Gulf Presence

US military looking to increase defense ties with states around region

A First: No US Deaths in Iraq in August

Iraqi crackdown, US strikes helped

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?