Overall, at least 31 Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded today. Although much of the violence targeted security forces or politicians, attacks on demonstrators in Mosul and the harassment of worshippers in Baghdad underscore the increasing sectarian tensions.

Fridays are the communal prayer day for Muslims in Iraq. For the last several weeks, Friday has also been the day Sunnis gatherto protest the perceived excesses of the Shi’ite-led government. After police shot protestors in Mosul today, Iraqi Agriculture Minsiter Izzeddin al-Dolah, who is Sunni, resigned in protest. Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi, calledon more Sunni ministers to resign.