Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Shiite leader in visit to Al Anbar
Politics
(Gulf News) - In a major reconciliatory gesture, a leader from Iraq's largest Shiite party has paid a rare visit to the Sunni Anbar province, delivering a message of unity to tribal shaikhs who have staged a US-backed revolt against Al Qaida militants. The leader of parliament's largest Sunni Arab bloc, Adnan Al Dulaimi, welcomed Ammar Al Hakim's visit to Anbar on Sunday as a "good initiative", saying Shiite-Sunni reconciliation was a goal cherished by his once-dominant Sunni Arab minority.
"This is what we hope, and we pray to Allah for," Al Dulaimi, whose three-party alliance has 44 of parliament's 275 seats, said yesterday. "We pray to God to make our Shiite brothers ... give us our due rights and not monopolise power." Al Hakim's visit to Anbar was the latest sign that key Iraqi politicians may be working toward reconciliation independently of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government, which has faced criticism for doing little to bring together Iraq's Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis.
Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq Al Hashemi visited Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, last month at Najaf south of Baghdad. The visit amounted to an unprecedented Sunni Arab endorsement of Al Sistani's role as the nation's guardian. Al Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party also has been distancing itself from militant Sunni Arab groups and has in recent months forged closer ties with Al Hakim's Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the country's largest Shiite party, and the two major Kurdish parties.
Al Hakim, son and heir apparent of Iraq's top Shiite politician, struck a note of national unity in Anbar. "Iraq does not belong to the Sunnis or the Shiites alone; nor does it belong to the Arabs or the Kurds and Turkomen," Al Hakim told his hosts in the provincial capital Ramadi, about 115km west of Baghdad. "Today, we must stand up and declare that Iraq is for all Iraqis." He stood next to the leader of the Anbar movement, Ahmad Abu Risha.
"This is what we hope, and we pray to Allah for," Al Dulaimi, whose three-party alliance has 44 of parliament's 275 seats, said yesterday. "We pray to God to make our Shiite brothers ... give us our due rights and not monopolise power." Al Hakim's visit to Anbar was the latest sign that key Iraqi politicians may be working toward reconciliation independently of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government, which has faced criticism for doing little to bring together Iraq's Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis.
Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq Al Hashemi visited Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, last month at Najaf south of Baghdad. The visit amounted to an unprecedented Sunni Arab endorsement of Al Sistani's role as the nation's guardian. Al Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party also has been distancing itself from militant Sunni Arab groups and has in recent months forged closer ties with Al Hakim's Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the country's largest Shiite party, and the two major Kurdish parties.
Al Hakim, son and heir apparent of Iraq's top Shiite politician, struck a note of national unity in Anbar. "Iraq does not belong to the Sunnis or the Shiites alone; nor does it belong to the Arabs or the Kurds and Turkomen," Al Hakim told his hosts in the provincial capital Ramadi, about 115km west of Baghdad. "Today, we must stand up and declare that Iraq is for all Iraqis." He stood next to the leader of the Anbar movement, Ahmad Abu Risha.
Labels: Adnan al-Dulaimi, Ahmad Abu Risha, Al Anbar, Ammar al-Hakim, Iraqi Islamic Party, tribal leaders
Friday, September 14, 2007
Anbar tribes vow to avenge killing of Abu Risha as new leader elected
Security
(Al Jazeera) - Sunni Arab tribes in Anbar, the western Iraqi province, have vowed to avenge the killing of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, their leader. He died in a roadside-bomb attack near his home in Ramadi, the provincial capital, on Thursday. Abdul Sattar Abu Risha was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, an alliance of clans that supported the Iraqi government and US forces in fighting al-Qaeda in the province. Thousands of people gathered in Ramadi to attend Friday's funeral.
"We blame al-Qaeda and we are going to continue our fight and avenge his death," Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha, brother of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, said on Friday. Ahmed Abu Risha was elected the new leader of the Anbar Salvation Conference just hours after his brother's killing. Pallbearers carried Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's body from Ramadi to the cemetery 10km outside the city, while the funeral procession shouted "revenge, revenge on al-Qaeda." Others mourners chanted "there is no God but Allah and al-Qaeda is the enemy of Allah" and "Abdul Sattar is the pride of Ramadi".
Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, was represented by Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, his national security adviser, who condemned the killing. "It is a national Iraqi disaster. What Abu Risha did for Iraq, no single man has done in the country's history," al-Rubaie told the mourners gathered in the sheikh's house. "We will support Anbar much more than before. Abu Risha is a national hero."
"This is a man who has had a controversial past, but in recent months he has become a very prominent figure, even meeting George Bush [the US president]," Al Jazeera's James Bays said. Abdul Sattar Abu Risha had urged the tribal leaders in other Iraqi provinces to follow Anbar's lead in co-operating with the central government against al-Qaeda
"He was returning home when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb planted by insurgents," Colonel Tareq al-Dulaimi, Anbar security chief, said. "His car was hit directly." No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. Sheikh Jubeir Rashid, a senior member of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's group, told the Associated Press: "It is a major blow to the council, but we are determined to strike back and continue our work. "Such an attack was expected, but it will not deter us." Two of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's bodyguards were also killed by the roadside bomb, Colonel Tareq Youssef, supervisor of Anbar police, said. Police announced a state of emergency in Ramadi after the bombing and set up additional checkpoints throughout the city, Rashid said. Anbar success
General David Petraeus, the senior US commander in Iraq, repeatedly pointed to successes in tackling a-Qaeda in Anbar during his testimony before the US congress. Omar Abdul Sattar from the Islamic Party of Iraq told Al Jazeera that Abdul Sattar Abu Rishar had become a national symbol of the "national war against al-Qaeda". "His programme now against al-Qaeda has become a national programme. Diyala province, Salahuddin province, Baghdad province are following now his programme," he said. The White House condemned Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's "assassination".
"His death also reminds us that the struggle will require continued perseverance, and the Iraqis are increasingly turning away from al-Qaeda, as a result of such extreme acts of violence," Kate Starr, White House national security council spokeswoman, said. Bush mentioned the killing in a speech on Thursday in which he announced that he may pull some 30,000 US troops out of Iraq by mid-2008 effectively ending the so-called surge.
Hoda Abdel Hamid, Al Jazeera's Iraq correspondent, said Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's death could derail some of the US successes. "Anbar province was really the capital of al-Qaeda in Iraq ... he managed to convince the tribes to give up their young people to make up the police and armed forces in the province," she said. Within hours of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's death, some Islamist websites posted messages praising his killing, the Associated Press news agency reported. One called him "one of the biggest pigs of the Crusaders", while another said he would spend Ramadan "in the pits of hell".
"We blame al-Qaeda and we are going to continue our fight and avenge his death," Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha, brother of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, said on Friday. Ahmed Abu Risha was elected the new leader of the Anbar Salvation Conference just hours after his brother's killing. Pallbearers carried Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's body from Ramadi to the cemetery 10km outside the city, while the funeral procession shouted "revenge, revenge on al-Qaeda." Others mourners chanted "there is no God but Allah and al-Qaeda is the enemy of Allah" and "Abdul Sattar is the pride of Ramadi".
Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, was represented by Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, his national security adviser, who condemned the killing. "It is a national Iraqi disaster. What Abu Risha did for Iraq, no single man has done in the country's history," al-Rubaie told the mourners gathered in the sheikh's house. "We will support Anbar much more than before. Abu Risha is a national hero."
"This is a man who has had a controversial past, but in recent months he has become a very prominent figure, even meeting George Bush [the US president]," Al Jazeera's James Bays said. Abdul Sattar Abu Risha had urged the tribal leaders in other Iraqi provinces to follow Anbar's lead in co-operating with the central government against al-Qaeda
"He was returning home when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb planted by insurgents," Colonel Tareq al-Dulaimi, Anbar security chief, said. "His car was hit directly." No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. Sheikh Jubeir Rashid, a senior member of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's group, told the Associated Press: "It is a major blow to the council, but we are determined to strike back and continue our work. "Such an attack was expected, but it will not deter us." Two of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's bodyguards were also killed by the roadside bomb, Colonel Tareq Youssef, supervisor of Anbar police, said. Police announced a state of emergency in Ramadi after the bombing and set up additional checkpoints throughout the city, Rashid said. Anbar success
General David Petraeus, the senior US commander in Iraq, repeatedly pointed to successes in tackling a-Qaeda in Anbar during his testimony before the US congress. Omar Abdul Sattar from the Islamic Party of Iraq told Al Jazeera that Abdul Sattar Abu Rishar had become a national symbol of the "national war against al-Qaeda". "His programme now against al-Qaeda has become a national programme. Diyala province, Salahuddin province, Baghdad province are following now his programme," he said. The White House condemned Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's "assassination".
"His death also reminds us that the struggle will require continued perseverance, and the Iraqis are increasingly turning away from al-Qaeda, as a result of such extreme acts of violence," Kate Starr, White House national security council spokeswoman, said. Bush mentioned the killing in a speech on Thursday in which he announced that he may pull some 30,000 US troops out of Iraq by mid-2008 effectively ending the so-called surge.
Hoda Abdel Hamid, Al Jazeera's Iraq correspondent, said Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's death could derail some of the US successes. "Anbar province was really the capital of al-Qaeda in Iraq ... he managed to convince the tribes to give up their young people to make up the police and armed forces in the province," she said. Within hours of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha's death, some Islamist websites posted messages praising his killing, the Associated Press news agency reported. One called him "one of the biggest pigs of the Crusaders", while another said he would spend Ramadan "in the pits of hell".
Labels: Al Anbar, Al Qaeda, Anbar Salvation Council, assassination, Ramadi, Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha
Friday, September 07, 2007
$50 mn. compensation for Al Anbar
(Voices of Iraq) - A total of 50 million USD has been allocated to compensate those harmed in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, in addition to another 70 million USD for reconstructing the city, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Burham Saleh said on Thursday morning.
Speaking at the first session of the second forum on the reconstruction of the province, the deputy premier said that 50 million USD had been allocated for owners of houses and stores that were partially or totally destroyed in the violent acts in the province, while another USD 70 million had been allocated to reconstruct the province.
Saleh was delivered Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis' address at the event. The second forum on reconstructing the province kicked off this morning with the participation of the two vice presidents, Tareq al-Hashemi and Adel Abdul Mahdi, in addition to Burham Saleh and the Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili. The province's infrastructure was destroyed in armed attacks in 2005.
Speaking at the first session of the second forum on the reconstruction of the province, the deputy premier said that 50 million USD had been allocated for owners of houses and stores that were partially or totally destroyed in the violent acts in the province, while another USD 70 million had been allocated to reconstruct the province.
Saleh was delivered Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis' address at the event. The second forum on reconstructing the province kicked off this morning with the participation of the two vice presidents, Tareq al-Hashemi and Adel Abdul Mahdi, in addition to Burham Saleh and the Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili. The province's infrastructure was destroyed in armed attacks in 2005.
Labels: Al Anbar, compensation, Dr. Burham Saleh
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Tribal leaders, U.S. and Iraqi officials meet in Al Anbar
Politics
(AFP) - Tribal leaders joined Iraqi and US officials on Thursday in talks focused on economic development of Anbar province, three days after US President George W. Bush dropped in to endorse peace initiatives in the restive region. US officials said the one-day Anbar Forum in the provincial capital Ramadi is aimed at giving an economic boost to the western province, where former Sunni insurgents have joined with US forces to fight Al-Qaeda.
Some 3,000 US and Iraqi troops were deployed to secure the governate in the centre of the city where the forum was being held, officials said. Among US officials attending are Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, a 2008 White House contender, who arrived in Iraq earlier in the day, US Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, second in command of US forces in Iraq.
The delegation from Iraq's central government is headed by vice presidents Tareq al-Hashemi and Adel Abdel Mahdi and included deputy prime minister Barham Saleh. Members of the provincial government, including Governor Maamun Sami Rashid, were also among the two dozen or so officials at the meeting, as was Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha and 11 other tribal leaders from the so-called Anbar Awakening Conference.
The group, which comprises Sunni tribes who formed an alliance with American troops to claw back their neighbourhoods from Al-Qaeda's fighters, complains that it is not getting enough backing from Baghdad and that its volunteers are ill-equipped to take on the well-trained extremists. "All we are doing today is very important," Biden said in an address to the gathering.
"You have taken a bold decision in Anbar to fight the forces of destruction and terror ... Unity of Iraq is an Iraqi problem. America wants you to succeed and we will do whatever we can to enable you to succeed," he said. "Iraq's future is in your hands. Only you can determine the future. It's encouraging to see central government assisting you in Anbar. In America we are waiting to see how extensive that cooperation will be," Biden said. "If it is (extensive) you can count on America to stay, if it is not, we can say goodbye now."
Some 3,000 US and Iraqi troops were deployed to secure the governate in the centre of the city where the forum was being held, officials said. Among US officials attending are Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, a 2008 White House contender, who arrived in Iraq earlier in the day, US Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, second in command of US forces in Iraq.
The delegation from Iraq's central government is headed by vice presidents Tareq al-Hashemi and Adel Abdel Mahdi and included deputy prime minister Barham Saleh. Members of the provincial government, including Governor Maamun Sami Rashid, were also among the two dozen or so officials at the meeting, as was Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha and 11 other tribal leaders from the so-called Anbar Awakening Conference.
The group, which comprises Sunni tribes who formed an alliance with American troops to claw back their neighbourhoods from Al-Qaeda's fighters, complains that it is not getting enough backing from Baghdad and that its volunteers are ill-equipped to take on the well-trained extremists. "All we are doing today is very important," Biden said in an address to the gathering.
"You have taken a bold decision in Anbar to fight the forces of destruction and terror ... Unity of Iraq is an Iraqi problem. America wants you to succeed and we will do whatever we can to enable you to succeed," he said. "Iraq's future is in your hands. Only you can determine the future. It's encouraging to see central government assisting you in Anbar. In America we are waiting to see how extensive that cooperation will be," Biden said. "If it is (extensive) you can count on America to stay, if it is not, we can say goodbye now."
Ambassador Crocker and US commander General David Petraeus believed that "if the kind of success we are now seeing (in Anbar) continues, it is possible to maintain the same level of security with fewer American forces," Bush said. Ramadi had until recently been a symbol of the failure of the US military and the Iraqi government to assert their will among the fiercely-independent Sunni tribes living in the deserts west of Baghdad. But since the Anbar Awakening group was formed earlier this year, the tide has turned and a semblance of normality has returned to the streets and market places of Ramadi.
Labels: Al Anbar, Anbar Salvation Council, tribal leaders
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Bush in attempt to highlight Al Anbar 'success' story
Security
(Al Jazeera) - US military tactics in Iraq's al-Anbar province are working and troop levels could be cut if similar "successes" are repeated across the country, the US president has insisted. George Bush spoke during a surprise Iraq visit on Monday before a key military report is presented to the US congress on the increase in American troop levels.
Amid a rising death toll among US soldiers, currently estimated at 3,700, and growing calls from the Democratic party and some fellow Republicans for a troop withdrawal, Bush is under increasing pressure to withdraw American troops from Iraq. The US president told marines at al-Asad air base: "Anbar is a huge province. It was once written off as lost. It is now one of the safest places in Iraq."
However, David Isenberg, a national security expert based in Washington, said: "Any place can be saved temporarily if you pump enough troops into it. "Anbar province has had a reduction in violence but that has very little to do with the 'surge'." Bush said any troop reduction would be based on "a calm assessment by our military commanders on the conditions on the ground" and "made from a position of strength".
At the air base, Bush also held what he called "good, frank" talks with leaders of Iraq's Shia Muslim, Sunni Arab and Kurdish communities, including Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister, and Jalal Talabani, the president. Bush's trip to Iraq coincided with the withdrawal of British troops from their last base in the southern city of Basra amid tensions between Washington and its main ally over their policy in Iraq.
Isenberg said: "Factions still run the city [Basra] - there is no rule of law. "People feel compelled to join factions for their own safety. The region is still essentially a Wild West." The US president departed from Iraq shortly before 20:00 GMT on Monday, Cynthia Bergman, a White House spokeswoman, said.
Bush made the trip primarily to hold a "war council" with senior US and Iraqi officials before a report by General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, on the effect of the "surge" in US troop levels. "You are denying al-Qaeda a safe haven from which to plot and plan and carry out attacks against the United States of America," he told US soldiers who roared their approval.
He landed in al-Anbar province, once a Sunni Arab fighter stronghold now seen by the US military as a success story. The drop in violence in al-Anbar has been attributed to Sunni Arab leaders joining forces with the US military to combat al-Qaeda fighters. But security officials said that shortly before Bush's arrival, two car bombs went off in Ramadi, the provincial capital, killing four people and wounding 10. In Baghdad, police found 15 corpses of men shot dead.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, said it would be political suicide for Bush to begin a real troop withdrawal in Iraq. "The US cannot withdraw from the Iraq because it will be humiliating for the American empire."
Amid a rising death toll among US soldiers, currently estimated at 3,700, and growing calls from the Democratic party and some fellow Republicans for a troop withdrawal, Bush is under increasing pressure to withdraw American troops from Iraq. The US president told marines at al-Asad air base: "Anbar is a huge province. It was once written off as lost. It is now one of the safest places in Iraq."
However, David Isenberg, a national security expert based in Washington, said: "Any place can be saved temporarily if you pump enough troops into it. "Anbar province has had a reduction in violence but that has very little to do with the 'surge'." Bush said any troop reduction would be based on "a calm assessment by our military commanders on the conditions on the ground" and "made from a position of strength".
At the air base, Bush also held what he called "good, frank" talks with leaders of Iraq's Shia Muslim, Sunni Arab and Kurdish communities, including Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister, and Jalal Talabani, the president. Bush's trip to Iraq coincided with the withdrawal of British troops from their last base in the southern city of Basra amid tensions between Washington and its main ally over their policy in Iraq.
Isenberg said: "Factions still run the city [Basra] - there is no rule of law. "People feel compelled to join factions for their own safety. The region is still essentially a Wild West." The US president departed from Iraq shortly before 20:00 GMT on Monday, Cynthia Bergman, a White House spokeswoman, said.
Bush made the trip primarily to hold a "war council" with senior US and Iraqi officials before a report by General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, on the effect of the "surge" in US troop levels. "You are denying al-Qaeda a safe haven from which to plot and plan and carry out attacks against the United States of America," he told US soldiers who roared their approval.
He landed in al-Anbar province, once a Sunni Arab fighter stronghold now seen by the US military as a success story. The drop in violence in al-Anbar has been attributed to Sunni Arab leaders joining forces with the US military to combat al-Qaeda fighters. But security officials said that shortly before Bush's arrival, two car bombs went off in Ramadi, the provincial capital, killing four people and wounding 10. In Baghdad, police found 15 corpses of men shot dead.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, said it would be political suicide for Bush to begin a real troop withdrawal in Iraq. "The US cannot withdraw from the Iraq because it will be humiliating for the American empire."
Bush was accompanied by Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, and Stephen Hadley, his national security adviser. Waiting for them at the air base were Robert Gates, the defence secretary, and General Peter Pace, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesman, said: "This is the last big gathering of the president's military advisers and the Iraqi leadership before the president decides on the way forward."
Next week, Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador in Baghdad, are to testify before congress. They will focus on the impact of Bush's decision to send an additional 30,000 US soldiers to Iraq, a so-called "surge" that increased force numbers to 160,000.Their assessment of the conflict, along with a progress report the White House must hand legislators by September 15, is expected to determine the next phase of US military involvement in Iraq.
Next week, Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador in Baghdad, are to testify before congress. They will focus on the impact of Bush's decision to send an additional 30,000 US soldiers to Iraq, a so-called "surge" that increased force numbers to 160,000.Their assessment of the conflict, along with a progress report the White House must hand legislators by September 15, is expected to determine the next phase of US military involvement in Iraq.
Labels: Al Anbar, car bombs, General David Petraeus, George Bush, Jalal Talabani, Nouri Al-Maliki, Ryan Crocker
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Al Dulaimi Wants To Learn Ramadi Resident’s Opinions About Returning To The Government
Politics
(Azzaman Newspaper) - 7 AUG - Accord Front Chief – Adnan Al Dulaimi has called for Anbar’s residents to submit their “conditions and suggestions” for returning to the government. Yesterday, Al Dulaimi visited Ramadi City and met with a number of citizens, in order to learn their opinions about the Accord Front’s decision to withdraw from the government.
During this meeting, Al Dulaimi said, “The Accord Front calls for you to submit: your suggestions regarding the subject of (the Front’s) returning to the government and your ‘conditions’ which you want the Front to attach to this return. The Prime Minister is working to remove the Accord Front (isolate the front, or remove it from Iraq’s political process). This is what led to the Accord Front’s decision to withdraw from the government. The Front refuses to return to the government, unless we receive our full rights which they (the Al Maliki government) should guarantee.”
This is the first time Al Dulaimi has visited Ramadi since he accepted the position as Chief of the Accord Front. This visit came about due to the Accord Front’s desire to ‘return its people to the Front’ (bring its ‘base’ supporters back into the Accord Front). Ramadi citizens said, “Accord Front has lost many supporters due to the Front joining the political process which resulted in: poor levels of security and public services, increased sectarian problems, and increased displacements.”
During this visit, Al Dulaimi met with: Anbar’s Governor Mahmoun Rashid, (Anbar’s) Police Chief, District Council Members, Tribal Sheikhs, and Anbar Salvation Council Members who are supporting the security forces in the fight against Al Qaeda members in the city (Ramadi). Al Dulaimi visited the cities of Fallujah and Khalidya. He met with a number of former Iraqi Army (Saddam’s Regime) officers. Their meeting included discussions regarding the DeBaathification Law and, how this government has abused/misused this law in order to isolate (Sunni) groups.
During this meeting, Al Dulaimi said, “The Accord Front calls for you to submit: your suggestions regarding the subject of (the Front’s) returning to the government and your ‘conditions’ which you want the Front to attach to this return. The Prime Minister is working to remove the Accord Front (isolate the front, or remove it from Iraq’s political process). This is what led to the Accord Front’s decision to withdraw from the government. The Front refuses to return to the government, unless we receive our full rights which they (the Al Maliki government) should guarantee.”
This is the first time Al Dulaimi has visited Ramadi since he accepted the position as Chief of the Accord Front. This visit came about due to the Accord Front’s desire to ‘return its people to the Front’ (bring its ‘base’ supporters back into the Accord Front). Ramadi citizens said, “Accord Front has lost many supporters due to the Front joining the political process which resulted in: poor levels of security and public services, increased sectarian problems, and increased displacements.”
During this visit, Al Dulaimi met with: Anbar’s Governor Mahmoun Rashid, (Anbar’s) Police Chief, District Council Members, Tribal Sheikhs, and Anbar Salvation Council Members who are supporting the security forces in the fight against Al Qaeda members in the city (Ramadi). Al Dulaimi visited the cities of Fallujah and Khalidya. He met with a number of former Iraqi Army (Saddam’s Regime) officers. Their meeting included discussions regarding the DeBaathification Law and, how this government has abused/misused this law in order to isolate (Sunni) groups.
Labels: Adnan Dulaimi, Al Anbar, Anbar Salvation Council, debaathification, Iraqi Accord Front, Mahmoun Rashid, Ramadi, tribal leaders
Monday, July 30, 2007
Gold found in Al Anbar, red mercury in Maysan
(Voices of Iraq) - An economic expert said that the lack of interest by Iraqi government in exploration of other minerals other than oil refers to weak economic policies. Ali Al-Manii, from the Center of Economic Studies, added, reliance on oil and gas as basis of the natural wealth is not a correct perspective in economic terms, because the State must seek to adopt plans for exploration of other minerals in Iraq, especially in southern and central regions, and abandon the unilateral economic strategy."
He added, "Field economic studies showed that gold is found in Anbar province and red mercury, which is the most expensive among minerals, is found in south-eastern of Maysan province."
Al-Manii explained, "The western region of Iraq, being of vast desert nature, comprises ethylene phosphate and sulpfur, while copper is found in Karbala and Najaf." He continued, "The results of these studies require the provision of means of research and exploration of non-oil minerals, which are expected to be found in larger proportions than the rough estimates, for not conducting exploration and production for many years."
Al-Manii called relevant authorities and specialists to achieve strategic plans to prospect for minerals other than oil.
He added, "Field economic studies showed that gold is found in Anbar province and red mercury, which is the most expensive among minerals, is found in south-eastern of Maysan province."
Al-Manii explained, "The western region of Iraq, being of vast desert nature, comprises ethylene phosphate and sulpfur, while copper is found in Karbala and Najaf." He continued, "The results of these studies require the provision of means of research and exploration of non-oil minerals, which are expected to be found in larger proportions than the rough estimates, for not conducting exploration and production for many years."
Al-Manii called relevant authorities and specialists to achieve strategic plans to prospect for minerals other than oil.
Labels: Al Anbar, Ali Al-Manii, copper, gold, Karbala, Maysan, Najaf, red mercury, sulphur
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Karbala, Anbar provinces form security committee
Security
(Voices of Iraq) - The provinces of Karbala and Anbar agreed to form a joint security committee to better achieve security cooperation and to coordinate information, the Karbala governor on Wednesday. "The two provinces agreed in the meeting, which took place Tuesday in Hilla city, to form a joint security committee from the two provinces, their councils, and the security forces in coordination with the coalition forces to study the present situation and means of better developing it to preserve the administrational boundaries between them", Aqeel al-Khazaali, the governor of Karbala, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"We agreed on securing the international highway to ensure safety of the passengers including pilgrims and visitors of holy shrines in the province, determining boundaries of security responsibility and areas of joint patrols, and securing the area of Kilometer 160 which lies on the highway between Iraq and Jordan ", continued the governor.
"We also agreed on the necessity of securing the area near Razazah Lake (150 km west of Karbala), exchange intelligence tips, establishing a hotline between the two sides in both operation rooms, reporting any operations within the borders between the two provinces to take the necessary measures, and assist in evacuating bodies of the killed within the geographical boundaries of Anbar province" he added.
"The meeting resulted in a form of cooperation between the two provinces to find joint investment projects that meet the needs of the population in the two provinces" said al-Khazaali. "The two provinces share administrational boundaries, tribal relations, and Islamic and national brotherhood that are considered the cornerstone of preserving the unity of Iraq ", explained al-Khazaali.
He pointed out that the two provinces demanded the central government to support this approach between them and to provide the necessary requirements to render the work of the joint committee a success. Karbala, which is 108 km south of Baghdad, shares administrational boundaries with Anbar, 45 km west of Baghdad.
"We agreed on securing the international highway to ensure safety of the passengers including pilgrims and visitors of holy shrines in the province, determining boundaries of security responsibility and areas of joint patrols, and securing the area of Kilometer 160 which lies on the highway between Iraq and Jordan ", continued the governor.
"We also agreed on the necessity of securing the area near Razazah Lake (150 km west of Karbala), exchange intelligence tips, establishing a hotline between the two sides in both operation rooms, reporting any operations within the borders between the two provinces to take the necessary measures, and assist in evacuating bodies of the killed within the geographical boundaries of Anbar province" he added.
"The meeting resulted in a form of cooperation between the two provinces to find joint investment projects that meet the needs of the population in the two provinces" said al-Khazaali. "The two provinces share administrational boundaries, tribal relations, and Islamic and national brotherhood that are considered the cornerstone of preserving the unity of Iraq ", explained al-Khazaali.
He pointed out that the two provinces demanded the central government to support this approach between them and to provide the necessary requirements to render the work of the joint committee a success. Karbala, which is 108 km south of Baghdad, shares administrational boundaries with Anbar, 45 km west of Baghdad.
Labels: Al Anbar, Aqeel al-Khazaali, Hilla, Karbala, Kilometer 160, Razazah Lake, security
Friday, June 29, 2007
Iraqi govt allocates $168 mn. for Al Anbar reconstruction
Reconstruction
(Iraq Directory) - Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih reports the government has allocated 210,000,000,000 (US$ 168 million) IQD to support reconstruction in the province of Al-Anbar, after its extensive destruction by terrorist and military operations.
During a meeting held in the Cabinet on Wednesday attended by a number of ministers and the Governor of Al-Anbar, as well as the United States ambassador, that "77,000,000,000 IQD of the total is allocated for economic investment projects, and the remaining 135,000,000,000 IQD is budgeted for developing the regions."
Labels: Al Anbar, Barham Salih, reconstruction
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Anbar tribes and politicians blame al-Maliki's govt for death of tribal leaders
Tribal, Security
(Azzaman) - There is fury and anger in the rebellious Province of Anbar where tribes and politicians blame the government of Nouri al-Maliki for the killing of five of the province’s most senior tribal chiefs. Five sheiks were among 12 people killed when an explosion ripped through the conference hall where they were to meet to explore ways of reinstating stability in the violent province.
The government blamed a suicide bomber but the power of the explosion and the collapse of the ceiling as well as tight security at one of Baghdad’s most fortified and guarded hotels gives the government’s version little credence. The Sunni sheiks had traveled to Baghdad to attend a conference at the hotel Mansour Melia to meet with Shiite counterparts on ways to stem al-Qaeda influence in Iraq.
The early afternoon attack was of a force which experts say was impossible to have been caused by a suicide bomber. Maliki had publicly criticized attempts to arm the tribes in their struggle against al-Qaeda elements in their areas. Anbar is an al-Qaeda hotbed where the group is almost in total control of large swathes of the country’s largest province.
Repeated U.S. military offensives have failed to dislodge the group whose fighters have inflicted heavy losses on U.S. troops and armor. Maliki’s government and U.S. officials have blamed al-Qaeda but the group which usually brags about its operations has yet to issue a statement on the explosion. The bombing is a severe blow to U.S. efforts and its emerging alliance between Sunni tribal leaders and the country’s Shiite majority.
The government blamed a suicide bomber but the power of the explosion and the collapse of the ceiling as well as tight security at one of Baghdad’s most fortified and guarded hotels gives the government’s version little credence. The Sunni sheiks had traveled to Baghdad to attend a conference at the hotel Mansour Melia to meet with Shiite counterparts on ways to stem al-Qaeda influence in Iraq.
The early afternoon attack was of a force which experts say was impossible to have been caused by a suicide bomber. Maliki had publicly criticized attempts to arm the tribes in their struggle against al-Qaeda elements in their areas. Anbar is an al-Qaeda hotbed where the group is almost in total control of large swathes of the country’s largest province.
Repeated U.S. military offensives have failed to dislodge the group whose fighters have inflicted heavy losses on U.S. troops and armor. Maliki’s government and U.S. officials have blamed al-Qaeda but the group which usually brags about its operations has yet to issue a statement on the explosion. The bombing is a severe blow to U.S. efforts and its emerging alliance between Sunni tribal leaders and the country’s Shiite majority.
Labels: Al Anbar, Mansour Hotel, Nouri Al-Maliki, tribal leaders
Monday, May 28, 2007
Round-up of violence across Iraq
Security
Roundup of violence in Iraq - 5/27/2007 05:33 PM EDT
By Jenan Hussein, McClatchy Newspapers
The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. All times are Iraq local times.
(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1030 GMT on Monday:
* denotes new or updated item.
* BAGHDAD - A car bomb killed two people and wounded five others near al-Khilani square in central Baghdad, police said.
* BAGHDAD - Gunmen ambushed a police patrol and killed three policemen and wounded seven in the Fadhil district of central Baghdad, police said.
BAQUBA - The U.S. military said U.S. and Iraqi troops had raided a suspected al Qaeda prison camp near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, on Sunday and freed 41 men, some of whom had been held for four months.
* NEAR BAIJI - Hamad al-Jouburi, the head of a regional "salvation council" set up to fight al-Qaeda, said that gunmen attacked his brother's two houses and abducted four of his sons and set the houses on fire in a village near Baiji, 180 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad. Earlier, local officials said gunmen killed the four sons of Jouburi's sister.
BAGHDAD - A security detainee died on Saturday in Camp Cropper, a U.S. detention facility in southern Baghdad, the U.S. military said. It said the likely cause of death was complications from diabetes.
ANBAR - U.S. forces detained nine suspected insurgents in raids against suspected al Qaeda insurgents in northern Mosul and western Anbar province, the U.S. military said.
RAMADI - A car bomb in a busy market killed seven people and wounded 12 on Sunday in the western outskirts of Ramadi, 110 km (70 miles) west of Baghdad, a hospital source said. Police said a suicide car bomber rammed his car into their checkpoint, wounding three policemen and a child.
BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb killed one person and wounded nine others in eastern Baghdad on Sunday, police said.
NAHRAWAN - Two people were killed and one other was wounded in a mortar attack on Sunday in Nahrawan, 30 km (20 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
Labels: Al Anbar, al-Khilani square, Anbar Salvation Council, Baiji, Baquba, car bomb, Fadhil, Hamad al-Jouburi, mortar attacks, Nahrawan, Ramadi, roadside bombs
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Round-up of violence across Iraq
Security
(McClatchy Newspapers) - The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It’s posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy’s Washington Bureau.
(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1000 GMT on Thursday:
* denotes new or updated item.
* FALLUJA - A suicide car bomb targeting mourners at a funeral killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 30 others in Falluja, 50 km (35 miles) west of Baghdad, hospital and police officials said.
* BAGHDAD - At least two people were killed and 15 wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a group of day labourers in Baghdad's Shi'ite Sadr city district, police said.
* SULAIMAN BEK - Six policemen were killed and six wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near their patrol in the town of Sulaiman Bek, 250 km north of Baghdad, police said.
ANBAR - Two U.S. soldiers were killed in combat on Wednesday in Anbar Province, the U.S. military said.
NEAR KIRKUK - Saboteurs set an oil well on fire in a town near Kirkuk in northern Iraq, police said.
* denotes new or updated item.
* FALLUJA - A suicide car bomb targeting mourners at a funeral killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 30 others in Falluja, 50 km (35 miles) west of Baghdad, hospital and police officials said.
* BAGHDAD - At least two people were killed and 15 wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a group of day labourers in Baghdad's Shi'ite Sadr city district, police said.
* SULAIMAN BEK - Six policemen were killed and six wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near their patrol in the town of Sulaiman Bek, 250 km north of Baghdad, police said.
ANBAR - Two U.S. soldiers were killed in combat on Wednesday in Anbar Province, the U.S. military said.
NEAR KIRKUK - Saboteurs set an oil well on fire in a town near Kirkuk in northern Iraq, police said.
Labels: Al Anbar, Fallujah, Kirkuk, oil well, policemen, roadside bombs, Sadr City, suicide car bomber, Sulaimen Bek
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Search continues for missing American soldiers
Security
(AP) -- U.S. soldiers raided suspected safehouses near the Euphrates River south of Baghdad on Monday in their search for three captured comrades but found them empty after the militants apparently were tipped off and fled, a military spokesman said. It was the latest in a series of frustrations for exhausted U.S. troops hunting for any sign of the trio missing since a May 12 assault on an outpost by insurgents linked to al-Qaida. Four other Americans and an Iraqi soldier died in the attack.
Maj. Webster Wright, a spokesman for the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, said 27 airborne operations had been staged during the widespread search the last nine days, dropping off soldiers to gain the element of surprise and avoid bomb-studded roads. But he said the insurgents were catching on to U.S. tactics and had fled ahead of raids near the river Monday.
Maj. Webster Wright, a spokesman for the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, said 27 airborne operations had been staged during the widespread search the last nine days, dropping off soldiers to gain the element of surprise and avoid bomb-studded roads. But he said the insurgents were catching on to U.S. tactics and had fled ahead of raids near the river Monday.
He said planners were looking at targets to the west of the division's area of operations. He wasn't more specific, but that would likely include volatile Anbar province, a vast desert area that stretches to the borders of Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Anbar is considered a key smuggling route for insurgent groups including factions linked to al-Qaida.
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of U.S. troops south of Baghdad, said in a CNN interview that 4,000 American soldiers and 2,000 Iraqis were involved in the search. He expressed "cautious optimism" that the three missing men - Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif.; Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.; and Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich. - were still alive.
"We won't stop until we find our fallen comrades," he said, adding that the military was following up 249 intelligence reports, the majority of which said the three soldiers were still alive. "We're pursuing all leads with a passion, but right now we believe our soldiers are still alive," Lynch said. "Each day that passes when we don't see proof of life, it causes us concern." Lynch said more than 1,000 people had been detained for questioning, and two had confessed to taking part in the May 12 attack. "So they're giving us actual intelligence and we continue to follow through," he said.
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of U.S. troops south of Baghdad, said in a CNN interview that 4,000 American soldiers and 2,000 Iraqis were involved in the search. He expressed "cautious optimism" that the three missing men - Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif.; Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.; and Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich. - were still alive.
"We won't stop until we find our fallen comrades," he said, adding that the military was following up 249 intelligence reports, the majority of which said the three soldiers were still alive. "We're pursuing all leads with a passion, but right now we believe our soldiers are still alive," Lynch said. "Each day that passes when we don't see proof of life, it causes us concern." Lynch said more than 1,000 people had been detained for questioning, and two had confessed to taking part in the May 12 attack. "So they're giving us actual intelligence and we continue to follow through," he said.
Labels: Al Anbar, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, Missing U.S. troops, Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, Spc. Alex R. Jimenez
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Round-up of violence across Iraq
Security
(McClatchy Newspapers) - Roundup of violence in Iraq - 14 May 2007
The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Laith Hammoudi in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It’s posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy’s Washington Bureau.
The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Laith Hammoudi in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It’s posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy’s Washington Bureau.
(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1100 GMT on Tuesday:
* denotes new or updated item.
* BAGHDAD - Five people were killed and 15 wounded when two roadside bombs exploded in quick succession near al-Tayaran square in central Baghdad, police said.
* BAGHDAD - Iraqi soldiers killed 16 insurgents and arrested 109 others during the past 24 hours in different parts of Iraq, the Defence Ministry said.
BAGHDAD - U.S. forces detained 10 suspected insurgents during raids targeting the Ansar al-Sunna group and al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in Mosul, Falluja and Taji, the U.S. military said.
NEAR TIKRIT - A policeman and a civilian were killed and a woman was wounded when gunmen attacked a police checkpoint near Tikrit, 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
NEAR ISHAQI - Gunmen kidnapped three civilians on Monday night at a fake checkpoint near the town of Ishaqi, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
HAWIJA - One person was killed and two wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a police patrol in Hawija, 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Baghdad, police said.
MOSUL - Four Iraqi soldiers were wounded in an attack by a suicide car bomber on their checkpoint near Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, an Iraqi army spokesman said.
ISKANDARIYA - An Iraqi soldier was killed and four others, including two civilians, were wounded when gunmen attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint on Monday night in Iskandariya, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
ANBAR - A U.S. Marine was killed in combat on Monday in western Anbar province, the U.S. military said.
* denotes new or updated item.
* BAGHDAD - Five people were killed and 15 wounded when two roadside bombs exploded in quick succession near al-Tayaran square in central Baghdad, police said.
* BAGHDAD - Iraqi soldiers killed 16 insurgents and arrested 109 others during the past 24 hours in different parts of Iraq, the Defence Ministry said.
BAGHDAD - U.S. forces detained 10 suspected insurgents during raids targeting the Ansar al-Sunna group and al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in Mosul, Falluja and Taji, the U.S. military said.
NEAR TIKRIT - A policeman and a civilian were killed and a woman was wounded when gunmen attacked a police checkpoint near Tikrit, 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
NEAR ISHAQI - Gunmen kidnapped three civilians on Monday night at a fake checkpoint near the town of Ishaqi, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
HAWIJA - One person was killed and two wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a police patrol in Hawija, 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Baghdad, police said.
MOSUL - Four Iraqi soldiers were wounded in an attack by a suicide car bomber on their checkpoint near Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, an Iraqi army spokesman said.
ISKANDARIYA - An Iraqi soldier was killed and four others, including two civilians, were wounded when gunmen attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint on Monday night in Iskandariya, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
ANBAR - A U.S. Marine was killed in combat on Monday in western Anbar province, the U.S. military said.
Labels: Al Anbar, al-Tayaran square, Hawija, Iskandariyah, Mosul, roadside bombs, suicide car bomber
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Sunni armed groups flee from Anbar to Mosul
Insurgency
(Kurdish Globe) - As tribal leaders and Sheiks in Anbar Province declare war on Al-Qaeda and other Iraqi Sunni armed groups battle them, Al-Qaeda is heading to Mosul Province, as witnessed by the increasing level of violence in the northern Iraq region. A member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) headquarters in Mosul city stated that insurgents distributed threatening leaflets there on Saturday, May 5, stating that they will launch attacks on Kurdish political party offices in the city.
"They (insurgents) said they will attack the offices belonging to Kurdish political parties, assassinate Kurdish officials, and launch suicide attacks on Kurdish checkpoints in the city," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject. Massoud Barzani, the President of Kurdistan Region, leads the KDP. According to the source, the same day the threatening leaflets were distributed an unknown gunmen killed a Kurdish citizen in the Arbaji neighborhood in Mosul, and the body of a Kurdish citizen was found after unknown gunmen in Shangal district kidnapped him.
Ali Karim, a Kurd, who fled from Mosul city three months ago due to attacks and threats against Kurdish people in the city, accuses former members of Baath Party and Arabs from other countries of attacking Kurds in the city. "Former Members of Baath Party and Arabs from other countries are responsible for most of the majority horrific attacks; they don't have any faith for the city and Iraq," said Karim in an angry tone.
Last month, on April 26, double suicide car bombs and an insurgent wearing a suicide belt attacked two KDP offices in the Zumar area, 50 km northwest of Mosul city, killing 3 and wounding 13 Peshmergas (Kurdish fighters).
An official at the Joint Coordination Office in Mosul Province stated that, during the last week, a suicide car bomb exploded, 64 unidentified bodies were found, 29 roadside bombs exploded, 23 mortar shells reigned mostly on security centers in the city, and 23 clashes erupted between Iraqi forces and unknown gunmen. The source did not mention the number of statistical dead and wounded and assassination operations by acts of violence in the city during the current week and last week.
Additionally in April, said the source, 241 unidentified bodies were found in Mosul Province, 137 roadside bomb exploded, 123 armed accidents occurred, 93 clashes erupted between Iraqi forces and armed groups, 14 car bombs exploded, and 9 kidnapping cases were reported.
Brigadier Salim al Hajj, head of Mosul City Council, said that the level of violence in Mosul Province has risen because tribal leaders in Anbar Province have declared war against terrorist groups, particularly Al-Qaeda, causing most of the terrorists to flee Anbar Province and head to Mosul Province. Insurgents accuse the Kurds, particularly Kurdish political parties and Peshmerga forces, of being American allies.
"They (insurgents) said they will attack the offices belonging to Kurdish political parties, assassinate Kurdish officials, and launch suicide attacks on Kurdish checkpoints in the city," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject. Massoud Barzani, the President of Kurdistan Region, leads the KDP. According to the source, the same day the threatening leaflets were distributed an unknown gunmen killed a Kurdish citizen in the Arbaji neighborhood in Mosul, and the body of a Kurdish citizen was found after unknown gunmen in Shangal district kidnapped him.
Ali Karim, a Kurd, who fled from Mosul city three months ago due to attacks and threats against Kurdish people in the city, accuses former members of Baath Party and Arabs from other countries of attacking Kurds in the city. "Former Members of Baath Party and Arabs from other countries are responsible for most of the majority horrific attacks; they don't have any faith for the city and Iraq," said Karim in an angry tone.
Last month, on April 26, double suicide car bombs and an insurgent wearing a suicide belt attacked two KDP offices in the Zumar area, 50 km northwest of Mosul city, killing 3 and wounding 13 Peshmergas (Kurdish fighters).
An official at the Joint Coordination Office in Mosul Province stated that, during the last week, a suicide car bomb exploded, 64 unidentified bodies were found, 29 roadside bombs exploded, 23 mortar shells reigned mostly on security centers in the city, and 23 clashes erupted between Iraqi forces and unknown gunmen. The source did not mention the number of statistical dead and wounded and assassination operations by acts of violence in the city during the current week and last week.
Additionally in April, said the source, 241 unidentified bodies were found in Mosul Province, 137 roadside bomb exploded, 123 armed accidents occurred, 93 clashes erupted between Iraqi forces and armed groups, 14 car bombs exploded, and 9 kidnapping cases were reported.
Brigadier Salim al Hajj, head of Mosul City Council, said that the level of violence in Mosul Province has risen because tribal leaders in Anbar Province have declared war against terrorist groups, particularly Al-Qaeda, causing most of the terrorists to flee Anbar Province and head to Mosul Province. Insurgents accuse the Kurds, particularly Kurdish political parties and Peshmerga forces, of being American allies.
Labels: Al Anbar, Baathists, Brigadier Salim al Hajj, KDP, Mosul, Sunni militants
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
U.S. forces release 73 captives in Fallujah
Security, Tribal
(Voices of Iraq) - U.S. forces released a total of 73 captives, a tribal source in Falluja said on Monday. “The U.S. forces in Falluja released 73 captives on Monday,” Sheikh Saleh al-Bejari told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). “Tribal chiefs presented a request to the U.S. command in Falluja, during a meeting with the forces, in which they called for the captives the forces had been detaining to be freed,” the sheikh added. “They are residents from Falluja, Ramadi and Haditha cities,” he noted. No immediate comment was avaliable from a U.S. forces spokesperson on the matter. Falluja is the capital city of Anbar province. It is located 57 km west of Baghdad.
COMMENT: It is likely the captives are members of tribes who belong to the Anbar Salvation Council (ASC) - the coalition of tribes fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. The ASC has turned around the situation in Al Anbar and the U.S. forces may have little choice but to listen to them and heed their demands within reason. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Al Anbar, captives, Fallujah, Sheikh Saleh al-Bejari
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tribal union in Anbar showing signs of success
Tribal, Insurgency
(Reuters) - A year ago, Iraq's Anbar was the most dangerous province for U.S. troops. Al Qaeda had dug in across the vast desert region. Iraqis were afraid to leave their homes in the local capital Ramadi, where insurgents held sway. Then last summer Sunni tribal leader Sheikh Abdulsattar Abu Risha gathered his fellow tribal chiefs together and created a police force to try to restore security.
Under the umbrella of the Anbar Salvation Council, Abu Risha says his initiative is showing early signs of success, with recruitment putting some 20,000 police on the streets of the Sunni-dominated province. "The situation (in Anbar) was unbearable before, people were tortured, shot dead, bodies littered the streets. We couldn't even leave our homes to bury the dead," Abu Risha told Reuters from Ramadi by a crackly satellite phone.
Abu Risha's initiative -- partly in response to Sunni Islamist al Qaeda's indiscriminate killing of civilians in Anbar -- has revived 15 large police stations that now come under the control of the provincial police chief. Now, while car bombings still plague Anbar, and especially Ramadi, their number has fallen, U.S. military officials said.
And for the first time in three years, U.S. military deaths in the insurgent stronghold stretching across western Iraq number fewer than in Baghdad, where a new security crackdown began in February with additional troops. This week police arrested 30 insurgents, including members of al Qaeda, and seized three cars rigged with bombs near Ramadi, 110 km (68 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.
Under the umbrella of the Anbar Salvation Council, Abu Risha says his initiative is showing early signs of success, with recruitment putting some 20,000 police on the streets of the Sunni-dominated province. "The situation (in Anbar) was unbearable before, people were tortured, shot dead, bodies littered the streets. We couldn't even leave our homes to bury the dead," Abu Risha told Reuters from Ramadi by a crackly satellite phone.
Abu Risha's initiative -- partly in response to Sunni Islamist al Qaeda's indiscriminate killing of civilians in Anbar -- has revived 15 large police stations that now come under the control of the provincial police chief. Now, while car bombings still plague Anbar, and especially Ramadi, their number has fallen, U.S. military officials said.
And for the first time in three years, U.S. military deaths in the insurgent stronghold stretching across western Iraq number fewer than in Baghdad, where a new security crackdown began in February with additional troops. This week police arrested 30 insurgents, including members of al Qaeda, and seized three cars rigged with bombs near Ramadi, 110 km (68 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.
"The number of attacks and incidents across the entire province has dropped significantly," said Brigadier-General Mark Gurganus, the U.S. Marine commander in charge of ground operations in Anbar, without giving details. At a news conference in Washington on Thursday, the U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, hailed Abu Risha and other Sunni tribal leaders. He said the Sunni Arab tribes were "helping transform Anbar province and other areas from being assessed as lost as little as six months ago to being relatively heartening".
Labels: Al Anbar, Al Qaeda in Iraq, Anbar Salvation Council, Brigadier-General Mark Gurganus, Sheikh Abdulsattar Abu Risha
Friday, April 20, 2007
Anbar tribes to form political coalition
Politics, Tribal
(LA Times) - A group of Sunni tribal leaders in beleaguered Al Anbar province said Thursday that it intended to form a national party to oppose insurgents such as Al Qaeda in Iraq and reengage with Iraq's political process. The announcement came after 200 sheiks said to represent 50 tribes met and agreed to form a provincial sheiks council and hold the first convention in May of their new party, called Iraq Awakening. Sheiks from three other provinces will attend, organizers said.
The driving force behind the new party, Sheik Abdul-Sattar abu Risha, said in an interview that the tribal leaders would be pushing a slate of candidates in Al Anbar provincial elections later this year, as well as in the next round of national parliamentary balloting, scheduled for 2009. One purpose of the party, Sattar said, is to promote a better image of American-led forces "to the Iraqis here." He added that the tribes also would participate in a U.S.-backed effort to reestablish a court system in Ramadi, the provincial capital.
The sheik is a leader of the Abu Risha tribe that is part of the larger Dulaimi tribal confederation in Al Anbar. His grab for power has been resented by some. His base of support remains around Ramadi, although he has been trying to reach out to other branches of the Dulaimi tribe around the province. Still, his history remains the subject of speculation, and others are wary of him, even though they may seek nominal affiliation with his movement as tribal leaders move to battle Al Qaeda in Iraq and its affiliates.
U.S. military leaders here said they were cheered by the announcement because cooperation from sheiks in Al Anbar in recent months had contributed to a rise in Iraqi police and army recruitment and a sharp reduction in insurgent attacks on U.S. troops and their Iraqi allies.
Al Anbar Gov. Mamoun Sami Rasheed said Thursday that the sheiks marginalized themselves by refusing to participate in Iraq's 2005 elections and, in some cases, supporting the Al Qaeda in Iraq organization. The sheiks in turn have mocked some of the provincial representatives for being absentee politicians with no local track record. Sattar said the sheiks council would offer "full accountability for anyone in his tribe. Also they will know of any strangers — man, woman or child — who try to mix in their neighborhoods."
Analysts who lauded the sheiks' announcement as well as U.S. efforts to work with them cautioned that the political situation remained fluid. "It's only now that the United States appears convinced of the need to build up local support against Al Qaeda," said Joost Hiltermann, a consultant with the International Crisis Group in Amman, the capital of Jordan. "What these people want is a restoration of Sunni power, or a preservation of certain privileges, or more simply, protection of their community from the Shiite majority and Iran."
Vali Nasr, a Middle East expert at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., said the "most important result may not be in the battlefield but in producing new Sunni voices that Shiites and Kurds can negotiate with." Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution in Washington said that improving U.S. relations with Sunni sheiks made "eminent sense" but that officials needed to be thinking about the "next step." "We need better contacts among Sunnis for the purposes of negotiating an end to the civil war," he said, "and this could create an opportunity to create partners in the larger project while also serving an immediate need."
Labels: Abu Risha tribe, Al Anbar, Al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraq Awakening, politics, provincial elections, Sheik Abdul-Sattar abu Risha, Sunni tribal leaders
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
U.S. troops lay siege to Anbar villages
Security
(Azzaman) - U.S. troops have laid siege to two villages in the restive Province of Anbar. The move to cordon off the villages came after a U.S. foot patrol was decimated by insurgents through the detonation of several explosive devices. Eyewitnesses say at least 11 U.S. soldiers were either killed or seriously wounded when the improvised explosive devices went off simultaneously.
Iraqi insurgents have increased their attacks in the three months since the so-called U.S. ‘surge’ to pacify Baghdad. U.S. casualties have increased and the rebels have intensified their presence in cities, towns and villages outlying Baghdad. Baghdad itself is not quiet despite the latest deployment of tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops. Sectarian killings have dropped, but observers say this is due to a decision by sectarian factions to stop reprisal attacks.
Witnesses said U.S. armored vehicles, tanks, and infantry have imposed ‘an iron corridor’ around the villages of Allous and al-Khafajiya. The villagers deny involvement in the attacks and fear the troops will eventually storm their villages, conduct house-house searches and carry out summary arrests.
Iraqi insurgents have increased their attacks in the three months since the so-called U.S. ‘surge’ to pacify Baghdad. U.S. casualties have increased and the rebels have intensified their presence in cities, towns and villages outlying Baghdad. Baghdad itself is not quiet despite the latest deployment of tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops. Sectarian killings have dropped, but observers say this is due to a decision by sectarian factions to stop reprisal attacks.
Witnesses said U.S. armored vehicles, tanks, and infantry have imposed ‘an iron corridor’ around the villages of Allous and al-Khafajiya. The villagers deny involvement in the attacks and fear the troops will eventually storm their villages, conduct house-house searches and carry out summary arrests.
In Haditha, a major town in Anbar, hundreds people took to the streets and marched close to U.S. barracks, raising placards and denouncing U.S. President George Bush. “Stop the campaign of executions and killings against the people of Haditha and its villages,” read one placard. Residents say U.S. troops killed an elderly man and two brothers and stormed their houses by destroying doors and furniture and stealing ‘precious items.’
Labels: Al Anbar, al-Khafajiya, Allous, U.S. troops
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Al-Maliki tells Bush officials are involved in terrorism
Politics, U.S., Security
(AP) — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told U.S. President George W. Bush in a recent videoconference that some Iraqi officials are involved in terrorism, government officials said Wednesday. The two leaders spoke Monday, a day after U.S. officials in Baghdad reported two suicide vests had been found near a trash bin in the "Green Zone," the highly guarded area of central Baghdad where the U.S. Embassy is located.
"The prime minister told him this is what we expect. Some politicians are involved in terrorism," said one Iraqi official. The official's comments were confirmed by two other officials. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. "Terrorists work in two ways, either as gunmen in the field or in politics," the official quoted al-Maliki as telling Bush.
The Iraqi official said terrorists wanted the new security plan in the capital to fail "so they entered the Green Zone." Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for Bush's National Security Council, said Wednesday that Bush and al-Maliki "talked about the importance of fighting terrorists, but I don't recall the suicide belts coming up."
The White House said on Monday that the two leaders had talked about the pace of the 7-week-old security crackdown. Extra troops from both countries are aiming to calm Baghdad and troubled Anbar Province, and some initial improvement has been reported. The discovery of the suicide vests was announced less than a week after a rocket attack on the Green Zone killed two Americans — a contractor and a soldier
"The prime minister told him this is what we expect. Some politicians are involved in terrorism," said one Iraqi official. The official's comments were confirmed by two other officials. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. "Terrorists work in two ways, either as gunmen in the field or in politics," the official quoted al-Maliki as telling Bush.
The Iraqi official said terrorists wanted the new security plan in the capital to fail "so they entered the Green Zone." Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for Bush's National Security Council, said Wednesday that Bush and al-Maliki "talked about the importance of fighting terrorists, but I don't recall the suicide belts coming up."
The White House said on Monday that the two leaders had talked about the pace of the 7-week-old security crackdown. Extra troops from both countries are aiming to calm Baghdad and troubled Anbar Province, and some initial improvement has been reported. The discovery of the suicide vests was announced less than a week after a rocket attack on the Green Zone killed two Americans — a contractor and a soldier
Labels: Al Anbar, Bush, Nouri Al-Maliki, security
