Security Summary: February 17, 2007

Iraqi troops raid a house in Basra today, where a joint British-Iraqi anti-insurgent push is underway.

KIRKUK - A double car bombing killed at least 10 people and wounded 83 in a crowded market in a predominantly Kurdish area of the northern city of Kirkuk, police said. Hospital officials said the injuries of many victims were life-threatening.

HIT - Iraqi police arrested up to 50 insurgents in the town of Hit, about 140 km (85 miles) west of Baghdad, after a fierce firefight, Colonel Tariq Yusif and Brigadier Hamid al-Nimrawi said. Two policemen were killed and five wounded. Most of the militants were believed to be members of the radical groups al Qaeda and Ansar al-Sunna.

HILLA - Militants stabbed a policewoman and her young daughter to death when they stormed their home in the city of Hilla, 100 km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, police said, adding that they had captured the attackers.

SUWAYRA - Police said they found the headless bodies of two men dressed in civilian clothes in the Tigris River near the town of Suwayra, just south of Baghdad.

KUT - Gunmen shot dead a policeman as he returned from work in the Jihad district of the Shi'ite city of Kut, 170 km (105 miles) southeast of Baghdad, police said.

ANBAR PROVINCE - Insurgents killed a U.S. marine in the rebellious desert province of Anbar on Friday, the U.S. military said.

KERBALA - A suicide bomber wounded two policemen when he blew up his vehicle at a checkpoint just north of the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala, police said.

From Reuters/Alternet