Dateline Iraq: 9 American Soldiers, 90 Shiites Killed

Salahuddin and Diyala:

Six soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded near their vehicles during a combat operation Monday in Salahuddin province, the military said in a statement [...]

In another incident the same day, three more soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Diyala province, another statement said. One soldier was wounded.

Hilla:

At least 90 Shiite pilgrims were killed and 160 wounded when two suicide attackers set off their bombs in a crowd in the central Iraqi farming town of Hilla on Tuesday, an emergency medic said [...]

Thousands of pilgrims are heading by bus and on foot from across Iraq to attend the Arbaeen religious ceremony on Friday in Karbala, 100 kilometres (70 miles) south of Baghdad, despite threats from Sunni militants.

At least 28 had already been killed on Tuesday in various gun and bomb attacks in Iraq when the Hilla bombers struck.

And how does Bush describe the situation in Iraq now?

Meanwhile, Bush said a security crackdown in Baghdad is showing "encouraging signs." The White House sees stability in the Iraqi capital as the centerpiece of a political, military and diplomatic plan to winning the war.

"Iraqi and U.S. forces are making gradual but important progress almost every day," Bush said. "We will remain steadfast until our objectives are achieved."

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