IRAQ | Developments

The latest developments in Iraq:

The U.S. military reported the deaths of nine soldiers Monday. In western Baghdad, seven U.S. soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident that also claimed the lives of two detainees, the military said. Eleven soldiers from Multinational Division-Baghdad and one detainee were also injured in the west Baghdad accident, the military said without giving further details. The U.S. statement made no mention of hostile fire and did not specify the neighborhood. Since the start of the war, 3,772 Americans have died.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the nation’s armed forces were not ready to fight without American help. “We still need more efforts and time in order for our armed forces to be able to take over security in all Iraqi provinces from the multinational forces that helped us a great deal in fighting terrorism and outlaws,” al-Maliki said.

A suicide car bomber killed eight people and injured 20 others in an attack near an Iraqi army headquarters near Tall Afar, 260 miles northwest of Baghdad, Mayor Nam Abdullah said.

Source: Associated Press