Another Decapitated Body Found in Iraq

Toronto Star (AP) – Another decapitated body found in Iraq

Police discovered a decapitated body in an orange jumpsuit and a head in a bag on the banks of the Tigris River, authorities said today, leading to fears a second Bulgarian hostage had been killed.

The deepening hostage crises across Iraq prompted Kenya to call its citizens home today and further complicated Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s efforts to persuade reluctant nations to join the coalition and send troops here.

In new violence today, insurgents fought a running gun battle with U.S. soldiers on Haifa Street in central Baghdad during a sweep of suspected militants, officials said. Six Iraqis were wounded, Health Ministry official Saad al-Amili said. Iraqi forces arrested 270 people, including several “non-Iraqi Arabs,” and discovered a huge cache of weapons, Interior Ministry official Sabah Khadum said. U.S. officials said only 48 suspected criminals and insurgents were arrested. Also today, U.S. marines said they had killed 25 insurgents, injured 17 and captured 25 others during a large gun battle in the western city of Ramadi on Wednesday. Fourteen marines sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and 10 returned to their duties, the marines said.

For background, see: Bulgarian Hostage Murdered on Video (July 13)

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.