Bombings Continue in Baghdad; 75 Killed in Iraq

Although the fighting has stalled in Fallujah, the
Iraqi military has transferred
a brigade to the front lines in Makhmour. Hadi al-Amiri, the head of the
Badr Organization criticized
the move, blaming it on U.S. pressure. The U.S. government had wanted Iraq to
tackle Mosul ahead of Fallujah, but recent attacks on Baghdad forced the
government to try to recover nearby Fallujah first.

The situation
for refugees fleeing the Fallujah area continues to be difficult. The
government has mostly kept journalists away from the camps, but a team from The
New York Times was able to reach one. There are few supplies in camps,
especially water. However, many of the Sunni refugees say even Shi’ite
militiamen are treating them well.

Militants accidentally exploded a bomb at their own factory
in Qayara. Ten
were killed and 12 were wounded. Several civilians nearby suffered from
some type of contamination possibly due to chemicals stored at the factory.