BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber attacked a meeting of pro-government Sunni sheiks west of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 23 people, including three U.S. Marines. At least 18 more people died in a bombing in Mosul.
Both attacks happened in areas where al-Qaida has been active. They appeared to be part of a campaign to undermine U.S. efforts to shore up local administrations.
The target of the Mosul blast appeared to be the provincial governor, who escaped injury.
The U.S. military announced that al-Qaida’s top leader in Mosul, known by his nickname Abu Khalaf, was killed in a raid two days earlier. U.S. officials say Mosul is the last major Iraqi city where al-Qaida has a significant presence.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
