Security Summary: December 15, 2006

An Iraqi youth kicks a soccer ball on the street today in Baghdad during the regular Friday afternoon curfew against vehicle traffic, meant to deter car bombs during worship services.

TIKRIT - A U.S. soldier was killed on Tuesday while conducting security operations in the northern province of Ninewa, the U.S. military said on Friday. Two other soldiers were also wounded, it said.

BAGHDAD - Two U.S. Marines have been killed in Iraq's volatile Anbar province, heartland of the Sunni insurgency, the U.S. military said on Friday. It said the two died from wounds sustained in combat on Thursday.

BASRA - Gunmen killed Muhsin al-Kanani, a Shi'ite sheikh, and two of his guards while they were driving in a car on Friday in the southern city of Basra, police said. The gunmen opened fire from another vehicle, police said.

MOSUL - Hospital sources said 13 people were killed in violence in different areas of Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

DIWANIYA - Gunmen killed a member of the Iraqi intelligence agency in Diwaniya, south of Baghdad. A guard for an oil company was also killed in the attack, police said.

From Reuters/Alternet