Progress for Baghdad Security Plan:
A Coalition spokesman told reporters in Baghdad April 6 that over the past month in the Iraqi capital, Iraqi security and Coalition Forces (CF) seized more than 300 weapons caches, found and cleared more than 300 improvised explosive devices and detained more than 1,400 suspects. In addition, more than 5,000 tips from Iraqi citizens last month contributed to Iraq security and Coalition forces ability to conduct these operations, said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, Communications Division Chief for Strategic Effects, Multi-National Force-Iraq.
Despite the signs of progress, Fox stressed the importance of maintaining a realistic view of Baghdad security, adding that the current levels of violence are unacceptable.
Improvised Explosive Device Factory Found:
Iraqi Army (IA) and CF conducted a joint operation April 5 that resulted in the capture of 27 suspected insurgents and bomb-making materials. Troops also found and secured several explosively-formed projectiles in different stages of production and four that were fully assembled. Three insurgents were killed and six wounded during the operation. Two IA troops and one Coalition soldier were wounded.
Iraqi Prime Minister Rejects Timetable for U.S. Withdrawal:
On April 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki rejected demands by the U.S. Congress for a timetable to pull out American troops, saying that withdrawal should be based on the reality on the ground. Maliki also said his government was working to improve security in order to make it possible for U.S. and other foreign troops to leave.
Malikis comments came during a news conference in Tokyo, where the Prime Minister was visiting. He said that We see no need for a withdrawal timetable because we are working as fast as we can, adding that, We feel what will govern the departure of the multinational forces are the achievements and victories we manage to obtain on the ground and not a timetable.
Perhaps Pelosi could go over there and help him do it faster?
Taking a lesson from their Sunni brothers from three years ago -
Sadr Ministers Threaten Withdrawal:
On April 11, Iraqi cabinet ministers allied to Muqtada al-Sadr threatened to quit the government to protest the Prime Ministers lack of support for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal. The threat comes two months into a U.S. effort to pacify Baghdad in order to give Malikis government room to function. Sadrs political committee issued the statement a day after Maliki rejected an immediate U.S. troop withdrawal.
Iraq Rally Calls for U.S. Withdrawal:
Tens of thousands of demonstrators responded to a call from Muqtada al-Sadr to commemorate the martyrdom of Ayatollah al-Sadr and to call for the end of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The protest was centered in the Shia holy city of Najaf and was peaceful. However, Sadr was not in attendance.
He's hiding in the well, waiting for Aminadjhad's call.
Relocation of Arabs from Kirkuk Could Trigger Violence:
Sounds like an AP headline
The Iraqi government will soon begin relocating Arabs who were moved to Kirkuk under an edict by Saddam Hussein to force Kurds out of the disputed northern city. Those who choose to move will receive about $15,000 and a plot of land in their home towns. Kurdish officials will soon accept applications to determine eligibility.
Turkey Threatens Sanctions in Iraq:
Turkish leaders raised the threat of political and economic sanctions against Iraq April 10 unless that country curbs ethnic Kurd separatists staging attacks across the border. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Iraqi Kurds against interfering in southeastern Turkey April 9, where the Kurdish majority is fighting Turkish security forces, saying the price for them will be very high.
Erdogan was responding to Massud Barzani, leader of the Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq, who said Iraqi Kurds would retaliate for any Turkish interference in northern Iraq by stirring up trouble in southeastern Turkey.
CCCI Convicts 41:
The Central Court of Iraq (CCCI) convicted 41 individuals March 18-21 for violations of the Iraqi Terrorist Law, Penal Code and Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Orders enforced by the Iraqi judiciary.
The trial court sentenced one individual to death March 27 after being found guilty of violation of Iraqs Terrorist Law. After receiving information that the Iraqi man was the leader of an al-Qaida linked cell, Multi-National Forces (MNF) searched the individuals home and found a decapitated head and Improvised Explosive Device components.
CCCI sentenced two individuals to life imprisonment March 28 after being found guilty of violation of Article 194 of the Iraqi Penal Code. The individuals were apprehended in Mosul September 3, 2004 after MNF spotted them firing mortars towards Camp Freedom.
Since its establishment under an amendment to CPA Order 13, in April 2004, the Central Criminal Court has held 1,993 trials for suspected criminals apprehended by Coalition forces. The Iraqi Court proceedings have resulted in the conviction of 1,747 individuals with sentences ranging from imprisonment to death.
Japan Lends $850 Million to Restore Iraqs Oil Sector:
Japan has agreed to lend $850 million to Iraq in order to help increase oil output, as well as build an oil facility connecting pipelines in Basrah, fund fertilizer and oil refinery plants, and help improve electricity distribution.
UK Will Continue Operations in the Persian Gulf:
A senior British government official said April 9 that his country would resume boarding cargo vessels in the Persian Gulf to check for smuggled goods, despite the recent standoff with Iran that saw a Royal Navy team held captive for 13 days.
Egypt Plans Regional Conference on Iraq:
The Iraqi government has agreed that Egypt, not Turkey, will host an expanded Iraq Neighbors Ministerial meeting in Sharm el-Shaikh May 4. The Neighbors meeting will follow a May 3 Compact launching ceremony, also in Sharm el-Shaikh. The core Neighbors forum includes Iraqs six neighbors Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, and Bahrain and Egypt. The expanded forum includes representatives from the UN, Arab League, P5, Organization of Islamic Conference, and G8.
Iraqi Prime Minister Visits South Korea:
Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki began a visit to South Korea April 11 and said he wants to learn from the countrys fast rise as an economic power. Maliki is scheduled to hold a summit with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun April 12. Their meeting is expected to center on expanding cooperation in various sectors, including natural resources, electricity and construction.
Sadr Makes Statement Calling on Iraqis to End Cooperation with the U.S.:
Muqtada al-Sadr released a statement April 8, urging the Iraqi army and police to stop cooperating with the U.S. and telling his fighters to concentrate on pushing American forces out of Iraq. The statement, which was stamped with his official seal, was distributed in Najaf where along with Baghdad hundreds of thousands of protestors demonstrated the following day to mark the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad.
Tens of thousands of protestors, according to the earlier item, above. This report does draw from numerous sources.
The demonstration in Najaf was ordered by Sadr, who was not present and is believed to currently be residing in Iran; though his followers still maintain he is inside Iraq.
Wanted Member of Saddam Regime Appears on Television:
A wanted member of Saddam Husseins regime, Republican Guards chief Saif al-Din Fulayh Hassan Taha al-Rawi, was shown on al-Jazeera television in a video recording broadcast April 8. He was shown accusing U.S. forces of using neutron and phosphorous bombs during their assault on Baghdad airport ahead of the capture of the Iraqi capital.
How else could we infidels have captured the airport so quickly? On the other hand, if we were using neutron bombs, why bother with phosphorous?
Rawi, who was number 14 on the U.S. most wanted list, carries a one million dollar U.S. bounty on his head.
Iraqi Journalist Killed:
A senior Iraqi journalist was killed April 5 when a suicide truck bomb exploded outside the Baghdad TV headquarters. Deputy Bureau Chief Thair Ahmad Jabr was killed, while another 12 employees were wounded.
|
AMMAN - Jordans King Abdullah II conferred Sunday with the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammad Al Saqr, and voiced support for a move by Arab lawmakers to bring about reconciliation between the feuding Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah, according to an official statement.
Those arrested were suspected of involvement in an attack on members of a multinational peacekeeping force on 15 August, the correspondent said on Friday. Egyptian security forces have remained active in north-eastern Sinai and