Series of deadly bombings marked run-up to 30 June U.S. pullout of combat troops from cities, formal handover of urban security to Iraqi control. Over 30 killed 10 June by car bomb in al-Bathaa, near Nasiriya; truck bomb killed at least 75 in Turkmen town near Kirkuk, 20 June; at least 78 dead in 24 June Sadr City bombing; bomb killed at least 34 in Kirkuk, 30 June. Tens killed in smaller attacks, including 15 in Shiite districts of Baghdad, 3, 8 June; at least 24 in 7 separate attacks, Baghdad, 22 June; 7 in Mosul fighting 22 June; around 20 in 24 June Baghdad bombing. Cabinet 4 June agreed to delay referendum on U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, scheduled end July, until Jan 2010; delay needs parliament approval. Harith al-Obaidi, leader of Sunni Consensus Front parliamentary bloc, killed 12 June; alleged al-Qaeda member arrested for murder 17 June. U.S. forces 8 June released Sadr ally Laith alKhazaali. Campaigning began 24 June for Kurdistan regional parliament elections. Oil contracts auction 30 June ended with only one deal.

Bomb attacks hit Baghdad and northern cities during month. 2 bombs killed 17 in Baghdad 6 May; at least 37 killed in Baghdad’s Shula area by 20 May car bomb; bombings in Baghdad, Kirkuk 21 May killed over 20, including U.S. troops, police, Awakening members. Smaller attacks targeted police, Awakenings, U.S. forces in Mosul, Kirkuk, Baghdad area. 10 May deal between Kurdistan regional govt and oil ministry allowed Kurdish region to export oil via Turkey starting June; revenues to go to federally-managed fund. Security forces reported killing 30 Islamist militants in Diyala operation 5 May. Sunni Awakening militia leaders arrested on charges of attacking civilians 3, 18 May. PM Maliki 23 May criticised amnesty law as enabling release of “terrorists”. Kurdish troops 8 May prevented recently-elected Arab governor of Ninawa province from entering disputed area, blocked access of provincial police chief 13 May. Anti-corruption commission 27 May said preparing almost 1,000 arrest warrants for govt officials following investigation into Trade Ministry. Supreme Court 18 May set 30 Jan 2010 date for legislative elections. In rare public appearance, Shiite Mehdi Army leader Muqtada al-Sadr 1 May met Turkish leaders in Ankara.

Several bombings in April among deadliest in recent months. 6 car bombs in Shiite districts of Baghdad 6 Apr killed at least 40; 7, 8 Apr bombings in Kadhimiya district killed 16. At least 150 killed in 3 suicide bombings 23, 24 Apr: around 30, including several policemen, killed in attack on Baghdad food distribution 23 Apr; 57 dead, mainly Iranian pilgrims, in restaurant bombing, Diyala province, 23 Apr; 71 Shiite pilgrims killed in Kadhimiya shrine 24 Apr. 2 car bombs killed at least 50 in Sadr City 29 Apr. Other attacks targeted Iraqi security forces, Awakening militias, killing 12 militia members in Baghdad 11 Apr; 10 police in Kirkuk 15 Apr; 15 soldiers at base in Anbar 16  Apr.  Authorities  announced  arrest  of  al-Qaeda  (AQ) leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi 23 Apr; U.S. military said 7 AQ members killed north of Baghdad 25 Apr. 2 killed in U.S. raid on Shiite militia in Kut 26 Apr. Maliki said raid unauthorised, violation of U.S.-Iraq security agreement; 2 senior Iraqi officers arrested for approving operation. Parliament 20 Apr elected Islamic Party member al-Samarrai as speaker after months of deadlock.

Scores killed in series of deadly bomb attacks during month. At least 12 killed 5 March by car bomb, Hilla. Suicide bombings killed 28 police officers and recruits, Baghdad, 8 March; 33 in gathering of tribal leaders, Abu Ghraib, 10 March; 25 in Kurdish funeral, Jalawla, Diyala province, 23 March. Car bomb in Baghdad bus station 26 March killed at least 20. Several dead in numerous smaller attacks across country, many targeting police in Mosul area; suicide bomber hit Mosul police station 31 March, killing 8. Iraqi-U.S. joint operation 28 March arrested Awakening militia leader in Fadil district, Baghdad, sparking armed clashes; at least 3 reported killed. President Jalal Talabani 14 March announced would not seek second term early 2010. During Turkish president’s visit 23 March Talabani called on PKK rebels to lay down arms or leave Iraq. UK troops handed over command of Basra region to U.S. 31 March.

31 Jan provincial elections saw major gains for PM Nouri al-Maliki’s coalition in Basra, Baghdad. Shiite Supreme Islamic Council, Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) lost ground, while Sunni Arab nationalist Hadba party defeated Kurdish rivals in northern Ninewa province. President Obama 27 Feb set out plan to withdraw bulk of U.S. combat troops by Aug 2010; up to 50,000 troops to remain for limited missions until end 2011. Attacks targeted Shiite pilgrims heading to Karbala for Arbain ceremonies – at least 35 killed in 13 Feb suicide bombing; over 20 pilgrims killed in preceding, following days. Numerous attacks during month around Mosul killing police, civilians, U.S. troops. Suicide bombing in Khanaqin 5 Feb killed 15. Iraqi and U.S. military 20 Feb launched joint operation against al- Qaeda in Mosul area, arresting at least 80. Deadlock between Sunni parties over election of parliament speaker continued after IIP candidate failed to win vote by narrow margin. Turkish military 6 Feb reported air raids on PKK bases in north; Kurdistan region president Barzani met Turkish envoy 19 Feb as relations improved.

Iraqis voted in provincial elections 31 Jan; few violent incidents reported amid tight security. Reported turnout lower than 2005 elections at 51% overall. No voting planned in semi- autonomous Kurdish region; postponed in disputed Kirkuk province. Several candidates and campaigners killed across country during run-up to elections. Bomb attacks throughout month targeting police, soldiers, politicians, killed several in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk areas. 8 members of Sunni family killed 22 Jan near Baquba. U.S. troops reportedly killed 3 in 24 Jan raid near Kirkuk, 2 policemen in Mosul 31 Jan. Sunni Iraqi National Consensus Front coalition failed to appoint new parliament speaker 11 Jan; smaller parties left coalition, alleging attempt by dominant Iraqi Islamic Party to impose candidate. Incoming U.S. President Obama discussed plans for troop withdrawal with senior military and security staff 21 Jan; several options reportedly under consideration including 16 month time-frame.

Presidency council 4 Dec approved U.S.-Iraq security pact, which replaces UN mandate for U.S. presence. Strategic framework agreement covering range of bilateral efforts also approved. Govt signed deal 31 Dec to allow remaining UK and Australia troops (some 5,000) to stay until July 2009. Iraq 1 Jan took control of security in Baghdad Green Zone. During 15 Dec surprise Baghdad visit by U.S. President Bush, Iraqi journalist Muntadar Zaidi insulted and threw shoes at Bush. Govt detained Zaidi for trial. Thousands turned out on Baghdad streets demanding his release; brother said Zaidi beaten in detention. Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr reportedly issued statement condemning Israeli assault on Gaza (see Israel/OPT), amid protests in Baghdad. 7 members of minority Yazidi family shot dead 15 Dec west of Mosul. Bombings continued, including suicide attacks at Kurdish restaurant in Kirkuk 11 Dec killing over 50, at tribal lunch south of Baghdad 2 Jan killing at least 23, and targeting Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad 4 Jan with over 30 dead. Turkey continued strikes targeting Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

Long-term security pact between U.S. and Iraq, providing for U.S. troop withdrawal by end of 2011, approved by Iraqi cabinet 16 Nov, parliament 28 Nov – presidency council must still sign off and public referendum required mid-2009. Terms include U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraqi towns and cities by end of June 2009, Iraqi jurisdiction over “major and international crimes” committed by U.S. troops when committed off-base and off-duty. Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who strongly opposes any U.S. troop presence, called for protests– thousands turned out in Baghdad 21 Nov. Iraqi govt mid- month began making payments to Sunni militia members (Awakening Councils), previously paid by U.S. Parliament 3 Nov voted to reserve 6 provincial council seats, out of over 400 total, for minorities – 3 for Christians, 1 each for Yazidi, Mandean and Shabak groups. Measure fell short of 12 seats proposed by UN. Provincial council vote now set for 31 Jan for the 14 governorates covered in law approved in Sept. Explosions still disrupting relative calm, including multiple morning rush hour bombs in Baghdad, 8 killed in Anbar 8 Nov, female suicide bomber killing 3 in Falluja 9 Nov, at least 15 killed at police checkpoint in Diyala 16 Nov.

Presidency council approved new provincial council elections law, clearing way for polls in 14 governorates (excluding Kirkuk) by 31 Jan 2009. UN 27 Oct proposed plan to parliament to reserve some council seats for minorities. Assassinations and threats against Christians in east Mosul mid-month triggered exodus of over 2,200 families to Christian towns in Ninewa plain. Local security forces, dominated by Kurdish parties, reportedly failed to intervene and accused al-Qaeda in Iraq, which uncharacteristically not only denied but denounced the attacks. U.S. and Iraqi forces commenced new offensive in Mosul. Security in Babil and Wasit provinces handed over to Iraqis. Govt 29 Oct demanded changes in draft long-term security deal with U.S. – UN MNF-I mandate to expire end Dec – including ban on using Iraqi territory to attack neighbours, following 26 Sept U.S. strike on Syria (see Syria), and clarity on Iraqi jurisdiction over crimes committed off-base by U.S. troops, contractors. Bombings continued, including at least 20 dead in Shiite mosque attack in Baghdad 2 Oct, some 10 in female suicide bombing in Baquba 8 Oct, but security incidents generally down. Turkish bombardments of PKK bases along Iraq border continued, after ambush killed 17 soldiers (see Turkey).

Parliament broke deadlock over provincial elections 24 Sept, passing new bill that would require polls by 31 Jan 2009. Kirkuk issue sidestepped – new committee to recommend power-sharing mechanism by 31 March; special electoral law to follow. Christians in Mosul 28 Sept protested elimination of quotas for religious minorities. Continued Iraqi army offensive in Diyala province led to standoff with Kurdish forces in mostly Kurdish Khanaqin subdistrict, ending in mutual stand-down. Arab-Kurd tensions further increased with shooting of Kurdish politician by police 27 Sept. Explosions continued, with at least 28 killed in suicide attack at Dujail police station 12 Sept, 22 in suicide blast in Diyala 13 Sept and 32 in blasts in Baghdad Shiite neighbourhoods 28 Sept. U.S. airstrike near Tikrit 19 Sept killed 7 including 3 civilians. Gunmen killed at least 35 in Diyala 25 Sept. PKK 26 Sept said Turkish planes bombed villages, killing 3. Iraq ranked third most corrupt country by Transparency International.