16 Iraqi Soldiers Killed in Suicide Attack on Base

At least 50 dead

(NEWSER) - A suicide bomber posing as a police recruit killed at least 50 people and injured more than 150 more in Iraq today. Many of the dead were police or their prospective recruits, who had gathered at a parade ground in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s hometown, the New York Times reports. More»

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) - US troops in Mosul shot dead a 12-year-old boy who they said hurled a grenade at them, and American authorities complained that Iraqis are paying children to attack, Reuters reports. Iraqi police, however, denied the boy was involved. He was holding about $9 in his hand when he was killed. "We have reason to believe that insurgents are paying children to conduct these attacks, placing children in harm's way," said a US military spokesman. But Iraqi authorities said the boy was selling candy. More»

Two Iraqi cops killed, 18 others wounded in deadliest attack of year

(NEWSER) - A truck filled with explosives crashed into a police headquarters in Mosul today, killing five American soldiers and two Iraqi policemen. The suicide attack was the deadliest single incident involving US troops this year, the AP reports. The chief of operations in Mosul said the policemen were the target, and the US casualties were simply a matter of "bad timing." More»