Iraqi Sunni Muslims marked a somber Eid al-Fitr holiday, with many staying home, apparently out of fear of rampant insurgent and sectarian violence.
Normally crowded Sunni mosques reported a major decline in worshipers on Monday on the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
At least eight people were killed in several bombing attacks today in Baghdad. The U.S. military says it is investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy who was killed by gunfire during a coalition raid in Mosul today. The military says a suspected terrorist was detained during the raid.
Iraqi authorities also imposed a curfew in the tense southern city of Amara following clashes between Shi'ite militias and security forces last week.
In a written statement, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that the army has been ordered to confront any transgression against the law. His warning appeared aimed at the Mahdi militia loyal to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, which was involved in the Amara clashes.
Iraqi Shi'ites are to mark Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The U.S. military announced today that another Marine has died in combat, bringing the death toll of American forces in Iraq this month to 86, the highest monthly total this year.
Normally crowded Sunni mosques reported a major decline in worshipers on Monday on the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
At least eight people were killed in several bombing attacks today in Baghdad. The U.S. military says it is investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy who was killed by gunfire during a coalition raid in Mosul today. The military says a suspected terrorist was detained during the raid.
Iraqi authorities also imposed a curfew in the tense southern city of Amara following clashes between Shi'ite militias and security forces last week.
In a written statement, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that the army has been ordered to confront any transgression against the law. His warning appeared aimed at the Mahdi militia loyal to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, which was involved in the Amara clashes.
Iraqi Shi'ites are to mark Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The U.S. military announced today that another Marine has died in combat, bringing the death toll of American forces in Iraq this month to 86, the highest monthly total this year.