Monday, June 11, 2007
Thousands flee Baqouba
Security
(Azzaman) - Thousands of families are fleeing the violent-stricken city of Baaquoba ahead of reported military operations by U.S. and Iraqi troops. Baaquoba, the capital of Diyala Province, is among the most violent places in Iraq with insurgent groups fighting U.S. troops and at the same time occasionally battling each other.
Most families either head for relatively quieter areas in the country or leave for Syria. “Hundreds of passenger cars now leave Baaqouba every day,” said a shop owner who declined to give his name. He said the military operation, if started, will be in vain because “most of those wanted by Iraqi security organs have already left.”
Alaa Saadi, a travel agent in the city, said there has been a marked increase in the number of people wanting to travel abroad. “I think my company carried more people in the past month than the whole of last year,” Saadi said.
Most families either head for relatively quieter areas in the country or leave for Syria. “Hundreds of passenger cars now leave Baaqouba every day,” said a shop owner who declined to give his name. He said the military operation, if started, will be in vain because “most of those wanted by Iraqi security organs have already left.”
Alaa Saadi, a travel agent in the city, said there has been a marked increase in the number of people wanting to travel abroad. “I think my company carried more people in the past month than the whole of last year,” Saadi said.
A provincial official, refusing to be named, criticized U.S. and Iraqi-led operations, saying they have “instilled fear in the hearts of innocent people” since they rely on summary arrests. He said the Qaeda-linked groups have been terrorizing the population, committing “horrible crimes” but the way the operations were carried out in the province has alienated the population. Informed sources said most of Qaeda activists and other groups have already left the city to avoid direct contact with U.S. troops.
Labels: Al Qaeda, Baqouba, military operations
