Blast Kills Four Near U.S. Embassy in Kabul

Suicide bomber hits as people enter compound for Thanksgiving celebration

Afghan firefighters wash the road at the site of a suicide attack outside the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. (Photo credit: Shah Marai / AFP — Getty Images)

Nov. 27, 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide car bomber targeting an American convoy exploded about 200 yards outside the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least four Afghan bystanders as people entered the compound for a Thanksgiving Day race.

Four Afghans were killed and at least 18 more wounded in the 8:30 a.m. attack, said Abdullah Fahim, a health ministry spokesman. …

No U.S. Embassy personnel were killed or injured in the blast, an Embassy statement said. …

Insurgents attacks in Kabul have been rare this year, although they have launched a few spectacular assaults, including one targeting the Indian Embassy on July 7 that killed 60 people and left over 140 others wounded.

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Iraqi Parliament Approves U.S. Security Pact

Paves way for American forces to withdraw by 2012

Seen on television, Iraqi members of parliament raise their hands as they vote on Nov. 27, 2008, in Baghdad. Iraq’s parliament today endorsed by a large margin a wide-ranging military pact that will govern some 150,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in 400 bases across the country. (Photo credit: Ali Al-Saadi / AFP — Getty Images)

Nov. 27, 2008

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s parliament approved Thursday a security pact with the United States that lets American troops stay in the country for three more years.

The vote in favor of the pact was backed by the ruling coalition’s Shiite and Kurdish blocs as well as the largest Sunni Arab bloc, which had demanded concessions for supporting the deal. …

A bloc of 30 lawmakers loyal to anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who opposed the pact, chanted protests and hoisted banners that said “No, no to the agreement” during the 25-minute session.

The deal must now be ratified by the Presidential Council, which is expected to approve it.

Under the agreement, U.S. forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30 and the entire country by Jan. 1, 2012. Iraq will have strict oversight over U.S. forces.

The security pact meets an Iraqi goal of a clear timetable for the departure of American forces …

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Analysis

Iraq agreement leaves U.S. troops powerless

Iraq-U.S. pact leaves Prime Minister Maliki stronger than ever

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Security Developments in Iraq

Following are security developments in Iraq on Nov. 26, 2008, as reported by Reuters.

BAGHDAD – A roadside bomb killed two civilians and wounded ten others when it struck near Firdos Square in central Baghdad, targeting members of Baghdad’s provincial council, police said.

BAGHDAD – A roadside bomb wounded five policemen when it struck their patrol in eastern Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD – A roadside bomb wounded four policemen when it struck a patrol in central Baghdad, police said. The patrol specializes in guarding Iraq’s oil industry.