12K US Troops to Leave Iraq by Fall

7 militants launch assault on Iraq military HQ

(NEWSER) - A week after President Obama declared an end to fighting by US troops in Iraq, American soldiers battled attackers at Baghdad's military headquarters yesterday. Dozens of people were injured and 12 killed. No Americans were injured. It was the first fighting involving US troops since the formal declaration of the end of combat last month. The attack, launched by just seven militants, was the second on the key site in two weeks, and highlighted continuing problems with Iraqi security forces. Two of the militants managed to fight their way inside the compound, and were killed only after they ran out of ammo and detonated their own suicide bombs, AP reports. More»

Maliki declares June 30 'National Sovereignty Day'

(AP) - Iraqi forces have assumed formal control of security in Baghdad and other cities after US combat troops withdrew from urban areas. A countdown clock broadcast on Iraqi TV ticked to zero as the midnight deadline passed for combat troops to pull back. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared a public holiday and proclaimed June 30 as "National Sovereignty Day." More»

(NEWSER) - The recent spate of violence in Iraq may pale in comparison to the relentless suicide bombings of 2006, but Baghdad is beginning to hunker down in fear again, the Los Angeles Times reports. Residents are curtailing their public activities, checking in with each other more often to make sure family members are okay, and worrying about the imminent withdrawal of US troops. More»

Police recruits targeted as US prepares to withdraw

(NEWSER) - At least 28 people were killed and 57 wounded today when a suicide bomber struck Baghdad's main police academy, Reuters reports. The attack, carried out by a man on a motorbike wearing a vest packed with explosives, marks the first major strike in Baghdad in over a month. Police recruits have long been targeted by militants, and their numbers are rising as Iraq strengthens its security forces in preparation for the withdrawal of US troops. More»

Suicide attacks rock police academy, US-Iraqi patrol

(AP) - Suicide bombers struck today near a Baghdad police academy and in Mosul against a joint US-Iraqi patrol, together killing 31 people, Iraqi officials said. In Baghdad, a car bomb exploded outside the heavily fortified academy. Minutes later, a suicide attacker blew himself up as police rushed to respond to the blast. Sixteen people were killed and 45 were wounded, police said. More»