Iraq War Updates -- July 29, 2008

Kurdish protesters ran for cover on Monday in Kirkuk, Iraq, after a suicide bomber struck, killing at least 17 people in the crowd.

Security forces control virtually all Iraq: Petraeus

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi and U.S. forces now control virtually all of Iraq and Baghdad's troops might be able to take on security responsibility for the whole country by the end of 2009, the senior U.S. general in Iraq said on Monday.

General David Petraeus told Reuters in an interview that progress in Iraq in the past year had been "very dramatic" but he said suicide bombers would still slip through security nets.

Four suicide bombers including three women killed 50 people in Baghdad and the northern city of Kirkuk on Monday, Iraqi police said. Petraeus was speaking before the full extent of those attacks were known.

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More News On Iraq

US, Iraqi forces launch new operation in Diyala -- Yahoo News
Iraq begins crackdown in restive Diyala province -- Reuters
New Iraq offensive targets al-Qaida stronghold -- MSNBC
Thousands of Iraqi-US forces in offensive against Al-Qaeda stronghold -- Times Online
Iraqi forces launch Diyala operation -- CNN
Top U.S. general likely to recommend more troop cuts in Iraq -- China View
Bombers and Ethnic Clashes Kill 61 in Iraq -- New York Times
Trio arrested over Iraq suicide bombing -- ABC.net
Bomb attacks in Iraq kill at least 56 -- AFP
48 killed, 249 wounded in Iraq bombings -- UPI
Female bombers in day of bloodshed in Iraq -- Times Online
Death toll climbs in Iraq bombings -- The Guardian
Iraq Suicide Blasts Cause Carnage -- Time Magazine
Targeting Pilgrims and Protesters -- Newsweek
The Iraqi dustbowl: A once fertile land is threatened by severe drought -- Times Online
Water crisis in Iraq brings failed crops, sandstorms and scorched earth -- Times Online
Incident on Baghdad's Airport Road -- Time Magazine
Report: Empty prison in Iraq a $40M 'failure' -- Yahoo News
Petraeus won't join bandwagon on Iraq withdrawal timetable -- Yahoo News
Obama says conditions to dictate final Iraq force -- Reuters
US troop pullout to start in 2010 -- Iraq War Updates

My Comment: Mopping operations in Diyala Province, but terror bomb teams and individuals responsible for bomb making will be around Iraq for a very long time.