The Iraqi Civil War continues: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declares a state of emergency, in Basra, the nation’s second largest city, because of continued sectarian violence between Shi`ite (partisans of Ali) and Sunni (legacy of Mohammed) Moslem bands.

       [added 2/17/2024]

Subsequent Events:

References:

Gassim Abdul-Zahra, “State of Emergency Declared In Iraqi City,” Orange County (California) Register, 1 June 2006, News:7.

Current U.s. National Debt:

$36,167,124,467,492

Source