Major attacks in Iraq since Jan. 1 when new US-Iraqi security pact took effect

September 9th, 2009 Iraqi troops raid Baghdad house, killing 2 menBAGHDAD — U.S.-backed Iraqi soldiers raided a home in southeastern Baghdad before dawn on Wednesday, killing two men inside and arresting an Iraqi soldier from an intelligence unit, police and a witness said. The raid took place in a predominantly Shiite district of the capital called Zafaraniyah, a police officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

August 19th, 2009 White House condemns wave of Iraqi violenceWASHINGTON — The White House is condemning the latest series of deadly attacks in Iraq. Spokesman Robert Gibbs says the attacks on Wednesday, which left nearly 100 people dead, show "how far extremists will always go to wreak havoc." Despite the violence, Gibbs says the overall number of attacks in Iraq is "at or near an all-time low".

August 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US strongly condemned the wave of bombings that took place in Baghdad Wednesday and killed at least 90 people, while expressing confidence that Iraqi forces are capable of providing security. "These terrorist attacks are an attempt to undermine the progress that Iraqi institutions and security forces have worked hard to achieve," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

July 27th, 2009 2 people killed in Iraq bombings targeting policeBAGHDAD — Two people were killed Monday in bombings across Iraq targeting police officers, considered the weakest link among the Iraqi security forces that have taken the lead from withdrawing American forces. The bombings primarily targeted police vehicles in Baghdad, western Fallujah and northern Mosul, areas that have experienced an increase in attacks on Iraqi forces since U.S.

July 15th, 2009 Obama, Iraqi prime minister to meet next weekWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will meet at the White House next week with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. A statement announcing next Wednesday's visit says the countries are "close partners" in building a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.

July 9th, 2009 US worried that freed Iranians could pose threatWASHINGTON — The State Department is worried that release of five Iranian officials suspected of aiding Shiite insurgents in Iraq could present a security threat to American troops there. Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters that the U.S.

June 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The top US military commander in Iraq said Tuesday that Iran continues to back militants responsible for attacks even as the level of support has declined. General Ray Odierno said the training of militants in Iran has continued as has the flow of weapons and ammunition across the border into Iraq.

June 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US military believes there will be an upsurge in violence in Iraq ahead of the planned withdrawal of its forces from major Iraqi cities at the end of this month. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters Wednesday that violence in Iraq had typically spiked ahead of key dates such as elections and predicted the same for the June 30 pullout.

June 20th, 2009 Major bombings in Iraq since Jan. 1Deadliest bombings in Iraq since Jan.

June 20th, 2009 Truck bomb kills at least 5 in northern IraqBAGHDAD — Police say at least five people have been killed and 30 wounded in a truck bombing near a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq. Brig. Gen. Sarhat Qader says Saturday's explosion occurred following noon prayers south of the disputed city of Kirkuk.

June 20th, 2009 Iraq calls US pullback from cities 'big victory'BAGHDAD — Iraq's prime minister says the withdrawal of U.S. troops from urban areas by the end of this month will be a "big victory" for the nation.

April 27th, 2009 Iraq wants US forces out of Mosul on timeBAGHDAD — Iraq wants American troops to withdraw from urban areas and only return with government approval, a defense ministry spokesman said Monday, casting doubt about whether the U.S. can maintain troops in certain trouble spots even as they withdraw elsewhere.

April 26th, 2009 Raid involving US forces kills woman in IraqBAGHDAD — A deadly pre-dawn raid by U.S. forces that killed a woman in southern Iraq on Sunday drew sharp fallout from Iraqi authorities who demanded an investigation and ordered the arrest of two high-ranking Iraqi military officers for allegedly allowing the operation without Baghdad's approval.

April 26th, 2009 Iraqi PM: US raid is 'violation' of security pactBAGHDAD — An Iraqi official says the prime minister has called a deadly pre-dawn raid by U.S. forces a "violation of the security pact." The fallout over Sunday's raid that killed a woman in southern Iraq is one of the most serious challenges to the agreement that requires American commanders to coordinate raids and other planned strikes with the Iraqi government and military.

April 26th, 2009 US raid kills women in south Iraq, angers govtBAGHDAD — A pre-dawn raid by U.S. forces that killed a woman in southern Iraq on Sunday drew sharp fallout from Iraqi authorities who demanded an investigation and ordered the arrest of two high-ranking Iraqi military officers for allegedly allowing the operation to happen.