Iraq Watch: April 27, 2006

Italian Convoy Attacked in Southern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three Italian soldiers and one Romania service member were killed Thursday when their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in the southern city of Nasiriyah, where the bulk of Italy's 2,600-strong military contingency is based. The IED blast also left one Italian soldier in serious condition. The critically injured serviceman was transferred to a U.S. military hospital for treatment.

The Imam Hussein Brigades, one of the few Shiite guerilla groups known to be operating in Iraq, claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack. Sunnis, who form approximately 20% of Iraq's total population, largely dominate Iraq's insurgency.

Meanwhile Thursday, Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki visited the southern holy city of Najaf to meet with the revered Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. While in Najaf, al-Maliki also met with the vehemently anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

In other violence, militants killed the relative of a top-ranking Iraqi official in southwestern Baghdad. Mayson al-Hashimi, sister of Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, was gunned down along with a bodyguard early Thursday morning as she left her home.

North of the capital city, Iraqi police and soldiers fended off a series of insurgent attacks against security checkpoints and police stations in and near the restive city of Baqouba.

At least seven Iraqi soldiers and 21 guerilla attackers were killed in Thursday's sporadic skirmishes.

Also, authorities discovered the bodies of 16 people – all bearing signs of torture – in various cities throughout the country.