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Last week in Iraq

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 11, 2007

Attacks

- A dozen mortar shells hit a Sunni area of eastern Baghdad on Feb. 4 in what appeared to be an act of retaliation from Shiites. At least 15 people were killed and 56 injured, an Interior Ministry official said. Clashes in western Baghdad between Sunni and Shiite militias left seven dead and 11 injured, and authorities found 35 bodies in Baghdad.

- Bombings and mortar attacks killed at least 30 Iraqis Monday in Baghdad, and 44 others were killed or found dead across the country.

- At least 51 Iraqis were killed or found dead Tuesday around the country, including eight slain by two car bombs in Baghdad.

- Fifteen Iraqis were killed in attacks nationwide Wednesday, including two employees of the government-funded Iraqi Media Network in Baghdad.

- At least 104 people were killed or found dead Thursday, including at least 10 Sunni men gunned down east of Balad, a mostly Shiite town northeast of Baghdad.

- At least 36 people were killed or found dead Friday, including 11 people whose bodies were found hours after they were kidnapped by gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms.

Military

- The U.S. command has ordered changes in flight operations after five helicopters were shot down in the past three weeks, the chief military spokesman said Feb. 4, acknowledging for the first time that the aircraft were lost to hostile fire.

- Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that U.S. forces might be able to start leaving Iraq before the end of the year - if conditions including subdued violence and political reconciliation are achieved.

- U.S. helicopters targeting insurgents mistakenly killed at least five allied Kurdish militiamen in the northern city of Mosul on Friday.

- U.S. officials said Friday that they have traced the supply of high-casualty "penetrator" bombs, which are being used with increasing frequency by Shiites in attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq, to Iran.

Rebuilding

- Ahead of a Senate showdown over a bipartisan resolution opposing President Bush's war strategy in Iraq, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accused its sponsors on Feb. 4 of intellectual dishonesty. He described the nonbinding resolution as a "vote of no confidence in both the mission and the troops who are going over there." Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said it was important for the Senate to make a clear stand against the troop buildup, which he said would produce only more turmoil.

- A long-awaited Senate showdown on the war in Iraq was shut down before it started Monday when nearly all Republicans voted to stop the Senate from considering a resolution opposing Bush's plan to send 21,500 more combat troops into battle.

- Iraqi and U.S. troops arrested the second-highest official in the Iraqi Health Ministry on Thursday, charging that he funneled millions of dollars to rogue Shiite militants who kidnapped and killed Iraqi civilians.

- Democratic House leaders on Thursday set a two-pronged approach that likely guarantees passage of a nonbinding resolution this week condemning a troop surge proposed by Bush. A vote is expected Thursday.

Deaths

As of Saturday, 3,120 U.S. troops have died in Iraq. Identifications as reported by the U.S. military and not previously published:

- Army Pfc. David C. Armstrong, 21, Zanesville, Ohio; vehicle accident Feb. 1; Baghdad.

- Army Sgt. Corey J. Aultz, 31, Port Orchard, Wash.; explosion Jan. 30; Ramadi.

- Army Pfc. Kenneth T. Butler, 21, East Liverpool, Ohio; vehicle accident Feb. 1; Baghdad.

- Army Chief Warrant Officer Jason G. Defrenn, 34, Barnwell, S.C.; helicopter crash Feb. 2; Taji.

- Army Staff Sgt. Terrence D. Dunn, 38, Houston; explosion Feb. 2; Baghdad.

- Marine Sgt. Maj. Joseph J. Ellis, 40, Ashland, Ohio; Wednesday; Anbar province.

- Marine Sgt. Joshua J. Frazier, 24, Spotsylvania, Va.; Tuesday; Anbar province.

- Army Sgt. Milton A. Gist Jr., 27, St. Louis; explosion Jan. 30; Ramadi.

- Army Capt. Kevin C. Landeck, 26, Wheaton, Ill.; explosion Feb. 2; Baghdad.

- Army Sgt. Randy J. Matheny, 20, McCook, Neb.; explosion Feb. 4; Baghdad.

- Army Spc. Alan E. McPeek, 20, Tucson, Ariz.; small-arms fire Feb. 2; Ramadi.

- Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Minjares Jr., 31, El Paso, Texas; helicopter crash Wednesday; Anbar province.

- Cpl. Jennifer M. Parcell, 20, Bel Air, Md.; Wednesday; Anbar province.

- Marine Cpl. Richard O. Quill III, 22, Roswell, Ga.; noncombat Feb. 1; Iraq.

- Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Manuel A. Ruiz, 21, Federalsburg, Md.; helicopter crash Wednesday; Anbar province.

- Army Staff Sgt. Ronnie L. Sanders, 26, Thibodaux, La.; explosion Feb. 3; Baghdad.

- Army Spc. Eric R. Sieger, 18, Layton, Utah; vehicle overturned Feb. 1; Buritz.

- Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Van Parys, 20, New Tripoli, Pa.; Monday; Anbar province.

- Army Chief Warrant Officer Keith Yoakum, 41, Hemet, Calif.; helicopter crash Feb. 2; Taji.

- Army Pvt. Matthew T. Zeimer, 18, Glendive, Mont.; small-arms fire Feb. 2; Ramadi.

[Last modified February 11, 2007, 01:41:47]