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Iraq

Anbar Antics

2016-03-25

Haditha on high alert due to anticipated ISIS attack (IraqiNews.com) Anbar – On Wednesday the Mayor of Haditha District Mabrouk Hameed announced, that the security forces and clans are on high alert after receiving information about ISIS intention to attack the district. Hameed said in a press statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “The security forces and tribal fighters are on high alert after receiving intelligence information about the intention of the so-called ISIS to launch a violent attack on Haditha District,” pointing out that, “The security forces took the needed precautions to repel the attack.” Hameed added, “The security situation is stable in Haditha,” indicating that, “The security forces and tribal fighters are ready to defend the district.” Anbar Operations forces arrest terrorist, dismantle 100 IEDs in Ramadi (IraqiNews.com) Anbar – The commander of Anbar Operations Major General Ismail al-Mahalawi announced on Thursday, that the security forces arrested a wanted terrorist north of Ramadi, while dismantled and detonated 100 improvised explosive devices. Mahalawi said in a press statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “One of the wanted terrorists known as Waleed Khaled Hamed was arrested in al-Garayshi area north of Ramadi,” pointing out that, “The terrorist was disguised among the civilians.” Mahalawi added, “The security forces dismantled 61 improvised explosive devices and found 2 Hell rockets, in addition to an explosive belt in al-Sijariya and Albu Risha areas,” indicating that, “A weapons cache was also found, containing IEDs, mortar shells and Hell rockets.” “The security forces also cleansed 10 houses and detonated 45 improvised explosive devices in Zankoura axes northwest of Ramadi,” Mahalawi added. Commander of Jazeera Operations survives assassination attempt west of Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Anbar – A source in Anbar Operations Command announced on Thursday, that the commander of al-Jazeera and al-Badiya Operations Maj. Gen. Ali Ibrahim Dabon survived an assassination attempt west of Anbar. The source reported for IraqiNews.com, “This morning, a bomb exploded targeting the convoy of al-Jazeera and al-Badiya Operations’ commander Ali Ibrahim Dabon, while passing in the road linking between Haditha District and al-Baghdadi vicinity, wounding five body guards.” The source, who requested anonymity, added, “Dabon wasn’t hurt in the explosion,” pointing out that, “The security force transferred the wounded to a nearby hospital for treatment.” Iraqi security forces liberate five villages south of Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Nineveh – A security source announced on Thursday, that the joint security forces liberated news five villages south of Mosul (405 km north of Baghdad). The source said in a statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “The joint security forces managed to free five new villages in Qayyara vicinity and raised the Iraqi flag on them.” The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added, “The joint forces also inflicted heavy losses on ISIS members,” noting that, “ISIS fighters fled from the villages and didn’t resist during the battles.” Noteworthy, official journalist with the Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday, that the security forces started the first phase of the liberation operation of Mosul, while pointed out to the liberation of a number of villages in the province. Security forces destroy 3 tunnels for ISIS in Kabisa, Anbar (IraqiNews.com) al-Anbar – Heet District Council announced on Thursday destroying three tunnels belonging to the ISIS in the area of Kabisa, noting that those tunnels were used by ISIS to move between the cement plant and the center of the district. The district council said in a statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “The security forces led by the commander of the army’s Seventh Division, Maj. Gen. Nouman al-Zubai, as well as al-Jazeera Operations Command are continuing the liberation operations in the district of Heet (70 km west of Ramadi).” The statement added, “The security forces had managed to find three tunnels belonging to ISIS between Kabisa Cement Plant and the center of the district,” pointing out that, “The length of the first tunnel is 1 kilometer and the length of the second tunnel is 500 meters, while the length of the third tunnel is 5 kilometer,” noting that, “The tunnels were used by ISIS to move between the cement plant and the center of the district.”

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Iraq-Jordan

U.S. confirms its troops killed Reuters journalist in Iraq

2005-09-02

Oh-no, now al-Rooters is really going to give bad press to the military The U.S. military confirmed on Thursday that its soldiers killed a Reuters journalist in Iraq but said their action was "appropriate." Describing Sunday's incident, when television soundman Waleed Khaled was killed by multiple shots, Major General Rick Lynch said: "That car approached at a high rate of speed and then conducted activity that in itself was suspicious. There were individuals hanging outside with what looked to be a weapon. It stopped and immediately put itself in reverse. Again suspicious activity. Our soldiers on the scene used established rules of engagement and all the training received ... decided that it was appropriate to engage that particular car. And as a result of that the driver was indeed killed and the passenger was hurt by shards of glass." Reuters cameraman Haider Kadhem, 24, like Waleed an Iraqi, was slightly wounded by flying fragments but survived in the passenger seat of the car, only to be detained for the next three days by U.S. troops. Kadhem was using a small video camera. Reuters Global Managing Editor David Schlesinger rejected any suggestion that the killing of Waleed was justified. Reject and be damned, sir. "The idea that the killing of a professional journalist doing his duty could be justified is repugnant to me," he said. The idea that a professional journalist wouldn't be bumped off just like anyone else engaging in similar activity is repugnant to me. Journalists have no exemption from the rules applying to the rest of us. Lynch, senior spokesman for all U.S.-led forces in Iraq, said the investigation into the incident, by an officer from the army division involved in the shooting, had been concluded. But a spokesman for the division said the report had not yet been formally completed and was not yet available. Schlesinger called on the military to release the results of their inquiry as soon as possible so that Reuters could respond fully. "To come to these conclusions without a full and independent investigation is rash and unwise," he added. Lynch said soldiers reacted when they saw the car traveling "forward at a high rate of speed. That particular car looked like cars that we have seen in the past used as suicide bombs. It wasn't a new car, it was an older model car ... And there were two local nationals inside the car. Our soldiers took appropriate measures. We mourn the loss of life of all humans ... But our soldiers are trained to respond in those situations. A pity journalists aren't... "Put yourself in the place of the soldiers, knowing that the insurgents, who have been known to use suicide bombs, suicide car bombs, suicide vests, to attack innocent civilians, will always have an attack and then respond to that attack when the first responders come forward. So our soldiers took appropriate action on that particular case."

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