Iraq Civil War

Iraqis Vow to Take Charge Despite Bombings

New York Times  |  Dec 13, 07 6:05 AM CST

(Newser) - Iraqi officials confirmed yesterday that they will take over security from exiting British troops in Basra, despite the triple car bomb explosions that claimed as many as 41 lives yesterday in nearby Amara. Local authorities had only recently taken over control of the city from the British military, and multiple Shiite groups have faced off to assert their authority. Officials banned vehicles from the city yesterday in the latest security move. More »

Car Bombs Kill at Least 40 in Amara, Iraq

CNN  |  Dec 12, 07 6:12 AM CST

(Newser) - A series of near-simultaneous car bombs killed at least 40 and injured dozens this morning in Amara, a Shiite-dominated city in southeastern Iraq, CNN reports. The British military handed the area to Iraqi forces in August, 2006; it has been the scene of increasingly violent confrontations between Shiite factions. More »

UN Stepping Up Work in Iraq

Guardian (UK)  |  Dec 10, 07 5:18 AM CST

(Newser) - The United Nations is stepping up its work in Iraq in a bid to land a final peace—four years after a terrorist bomb in the UN compound in Baghdad killed 22 officials. "Three years of horror have led nowhere. It only produced tit-for-tat destruction and the displacement of 4.2 million people," said special Iraq representative Staffan de Mistura, whose predeccessor was killed in the attack. More »

British PM Gives Troops Surprise Visit

Times (UK)  |  Dec 9, 07 3:35 PM CST

(Newser) - UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown surprised his troops with a visit in Iraq today and declared that Britain will cede control of Basra within two weeks, the Times of London reports. He told 300 soldiers that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki had advised the quick pull-out "so Iraq can take far more responsibility for its security"—but UK ministers link the move to Iraqis who have kidnapped British citizens and threatened to kill at least one. More »

Key Iraqi Police Chief Killed <