Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Armed groups set oil tankers on fire
Security, Oil
(Voices of Iraq) - Armed groups set a number of oil tankers ablaze on the Falluja-Samarra road, a police source said on Tuesday. “An armed group burned more than 20 oil tankers on the Falluja-Samarra road between Anbar and Salah el-Din province and kidnapped a number of drivers on Tuesday morning,” the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) on condition of anonymity.
“Most of the trucks’ drivers, from Anbar and Salah el-Din provinces, are carrying crude oil from Baiji refinery to export it to Jordan and Syria through Anbar,” he added. “A number of the kidnapped drivers managed to escape,” the source also said. The Falluja-Samarra road is 100 km north of Baghdad. It links Baghdad to Anbar and Salah el-Din.
“Most of the trucks’ drivers, from Anbar and Salah el-Din provinces, are carrying crude oil from Baiji refinery to export it to Jordan and Syria through Anbar,” he added. “A number of the kidnapped drivers managed to escape,” the source also said. The Falluja-Samarra road is 100 km north of Baghdad. It links Baghdad to Anbar and Salah el-Din.
Labels: abduction, armed groups, oil tankers
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
U.N. to hold talks with armed groups
U.N.
(Azzaman) - The United Nations intends to include all parties and factions in the talks it is going to hold to bring about national reconciliation in the country, Iraq U.N. spokesman said. Saaeed Arikat said the talks will involve armed groups currently fighting U.S. troops and the Iraqi government.
He did not reveal whether U.N.’s desire to conduct comprehensive talks with the political factions represented in parliament and those opposing the government would include groups with links to al-Qaeda organization. Iraq-linked Qaeda is better organized and equipped than any other group fighting U.S. occupation troops in Iraq. U.S. tactics to mobilize tribes to oust it from their areas have so far failed in containing its influence. Al Qaeda is responsible for most suicide bombings and attacks targeting U.S. invaders and Iraqi troops and security forces.
The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on August 10 expanding the U.N.’s role in Iraq in a move aimed at reconciling the country’s rival groups, winning support from neighboring countries and tackling Iraq’s humanitarian crisis. The resolution authorizes the U.N. at the request of the Iraqi government to promote political talks among the country’s ethnic and religious groups and a regional dialogue on issues including border security, energy and refugees.
Arikat said the world body would seek to reach out to all the forces which could play a role in reconciling and rebuilding the country. “The U.N. is not concerned with what America wants from the resolution. We as an international organization will work to fulfill Iraqi ambitions and cooperate with the government,” he said.
Asked whether the U.N. will negotiate with the country’s armed groups, he said: “The U.N. will get in touch with political formations in the hope of reaching joint political agreements bringing the country’s disparate groups together.” The U.N., like the U.S. and Iraqi government, currently operates from the heavily fortified Green Zone but has two other offices in the country one in Arbil in the north and the other in Basra in the south.
Arikat said the U.N. had not forgotten Iraq despite the difficulties involved in operating there. “The U.N. has offered big sacrifices to help the Iraqi people,” he said. Former Secretary General Kofi Annan pull all U.N. international staff out of Iraq after the top U.N. envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 other people died in a huge explosion at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad in 2003.
The new resolution points out the importance of armed protection by mainly U.S. forces for an enhanced U.N. team on the ground but analysts warn the presence of U.S. troops may complicate U.N. operations and make the staff an easy target for anti-U.S. rebels.
He did not reveal whether U.N.’s desire to conduct comprehensive talks with the political factions represented in parliament and those opposing the government would include groups with links to al-Qaeda organization. Iraq-linked Qaeda is better organized and equipped than any other group fighting U.S. occupation troops in Iraq. U.S. tactics to mobilize tribes to oust it from their areas have so far failed in containing its influence. Al Qaeda is responsible for most suicide bombings and attacks targeting U.S. invaders and Iraqi troops and security forces.
The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on August 10 expanding the U.N.’s role in Iraq in a move aimed at reconciling the country’s rival groups, winning support from neighboring countries and tackling Iraq’s humanitarian crisis. The resolution authorizes the U.N. at the request of the Iraqi government to promote political talks among the country’s ethnic and religious groups and a regional dialogue on issues including border security, energy and refugees.
Arikat said the world body would seek to reach out to all the forces which could play a role in reconciling and rebuilding the country. “The U.N. is not concerned with what America wants from the resolution. We as an international organization will work to fulfill Iraqi ambitions and cooperate with the government,” he said.
Asked whether the U.N. will negotiate with the country’s armed groups, he said: “The U.N. will get in touch with political formations in the hope of reaching joint political agreements bringing the country’s disparate groups together.” The U.N., like the U.S. and Iraqi government, currently operates from the heavily fortified Green Zone but has two other offices in the country one in Arbil in the north and the other in Basra in the south.
Arikat said the U.N. had not forgotten Iraq despite the difficulties involved in operating there. “The U.N. has offered big sacrifices to help the Iraqi people,” he said. Former Secretary General Kofi Annan pull all U.N. international staff out of Iraq after the top U.N. envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 other people died in a huge explosion at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad in 2003.
The new resolution points out the importance of armed protection by mainly U.S. forces for an enhanced U.N. team on the ground but analysts warn the presence of U.S. troops may complicate U.N. operations and make the staff an easy target for anti-U.S. rebels.
Labels: armed groups, Iraq, Saaeed Arikat, U.N.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
General amnesty to be considered ahead of national reconciliation project
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - A general amnesty will be considered ahead of the national reconciliation project set up by the Iraqi government, MP Hassan al-Saneed from the Shiite United Iraqi Coalition (UIC), who is also Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's advisor, said on Monday.
"A general amnesty is expected to be announced by the Iraqi government as part of its plans for national reconciliation and in a way that guarantees that pardoned prisoners do not return to crime," al-Saneed told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
According to al-Saneed, the Iraqi government has developed a new strategy that aims to stimulate greater political participation and open dialogue with armed groups that have expressed interest in joining the political process.
The new strategy will also propose a cabinet reshuffle involving ministries that have direct contact with the public and amendments to Baghdad's security plan, and will discuss Iraq's relations with its neighbors, national security and the issue of borders, al-Saneed added.
"A general amnesty is expected to be announced by the Iraqi government as part of its plans for national reconciliation and in a way that guarantees that pardoned prisoners do not return to crime," al-Saneed told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
According to al-Saneed, the Iraqi government has developed a new strategy that aims to stimulate greater political participation and open dialogue with armed groups that have expressed interest in joining the political process.
The new strategy will also propose a cabinet reshuffle involving ministries that have direct contact with the public and amendments to Baghdad's security plan, and will discuss Iraq's relations with its neighbors, national security and the issue of borders, al-Saneed added.
Labels: armed groups, cabinet reshuffle, general amnesty, Hassan al-Saneed, national reconciliation
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
British General Negotiated With Armed Iraqi Groups
(Azzaman Newspaper) - 28 MAY - Yesterday, the Sunday Telegraph Newspaper revealed that a British General is leading negotiations with armed groups in order to reach an agreement that the armed groups will put down their weapons in exchange for senior positions in the Iraqi security forces. The newspaper also said, “General “Graham Lamb” met with armed group leaders in the Green Zone in Baghdad to encourage these groups fight the extremist foreign fighters of Al Qaida, who use bloody tactics against Iraqis.
General Lamb is a former British Special Forces officer and represents the Iraqi government and MNF during these negotiations. He is also conducting negotiations with moderate militia which created death squads in response to the sectarian attacks of Al Qaida. A successful agreement will be very important in order for the US security plan to succeed in Baghdad. US General Davis Petraeus, the MNF Commander in Iraq, selected General Lamb himself to negotiate with the armed groups and moderate militia because General Lamb is more neutral than other US officers and also because the British forces do not have a large presence in Baghdad.”
An American forces senior advisor involved in the new security plan said, “These negotiations are unofficial and they are being held in the Green Zone in Baghdad. General Lamb, armed Sunni groups, and Iraqi tribal sheikhs who support the current resistance are attending these negotiations. The British General as a mediator between Iraqi officials and the leaders of Sunni armed groups, who are starting to believe in the reality of Shiites controlling the government.”
The newspaper added, “During the negotiations the armed groups, the armed groups have offered that in exchange for senior security forces positions they will declare a cease fire. They are also demanding amnesty for their members already in prison except for those involved in beheadings or killing large groups of civilians, canceling the DeBaathification Law, and pensions for those have been forced out of governmental, military, and security positions.”
An American forces senior advisor involved in the new security plan said, “These negotiations are unofficial and they are being held in the Green Zone in Baghdad. General Lamb, armed Sunni groups, and Iraqi tribal sheikhs who support the current resistance are attending these negotiations. The British General as a mediator between Iraqi officials and the leaders of Sunni armed groups, who are starting to believe in the reality of Shiites controlling the government.”
The newspaper added, “During the negotiations the armed groups, the armed groups have offered that in exchange for senior security forces positions they will declare a cease fire. They are also demanding amnesty for their members already in prison except for those involved in beheadings or killing large groups of civilians, canceling the DeBaathification Law, and pensions for those have been forced out of governmental, military, and security positions.”
Labels: amnesty, armed groups, cease-fire, debaathification, General Graham Lamb, militias, negotiations, tribal sheiks
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Al-Askari - Kurds agree to postpone referendum on Kirkuk
Politics
(Azzaman) - The government has hinted at ongoing talks with armed groups fighting U.S. occupation troops. An adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he saw such meetings as important. Sami al-Askari did not deny that Maliki had himself taken part in the meetings but said, “In principle we will be please in case such meetings have taken place.”
Askari also confirmed that progress was made in efforts to revise a law that made it impossible for former members of the Baath party to assume government jobs. With regard to constitutional amendments, he said Iraqi deputies and personalities charged with the task have also reported ‘good progress.’
But more important for the government has been, according to Askari, Kurds’ consent to postpone a referendum on the future of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. The ethnically mixed city, where some of Iraq’s largest oil fields are situated, is contested by Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen. Its destiny was to be decided by the end of this year but the United Nations charged of organizing the referendum says security conditions would discourage the stationing of independent monitors there.
Askari also confirmed that progress was made in efforts to revise a law that made it impossible for former members of the Baath party to assume government jobs. With regard to constitutional amendments, he said Iraqi deputies and personalities charged with the task have also reported ‘good progress.’
But more important for the government has been, according to Askari, Kurds’ consent to postpone a referendum on the future of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. The ethnically mixed city, where some of Iraq’s largest oil fields are situated, is contested by Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen. Its destiny was to be decided by the end of this year but the United Nations charged of organizing the referendum says security conditions would discourage the stationing of independent monitors there.
Labels: armed groups, Baathists, Kirkuk referendum, meetings, Sami al-Askari
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Worse security conditions despite 'surge'
Security
(Azzaman) - Baghdad inhabitants say the presence of armed groups has intensified since the start of U.S. military operations to pacify the city more than two months ago. More and more armed groups are springing up in Baghdad, they say, and restive quarters like Doura and Ghazaliya have turned into major insurgent strongholds.
The Ministry of Interior which plays a big hand in the current operations targeting armed and rebel groups in the city would not comment on reports on the escalation of the number of armed in the city. But a ministry source, refusing to be named, said, “The security forces are striking with a fist of iron all the hatcheries of armed groups in various areas (of Baghdad) and the provinces by capturing many of them every week.”
But Baghdad residents have different stories to tell. Kadhem Abedsada who has been forced to flee al-Ghazaliya district, said security conditions have aggravated since the government began its security plan. “I have never seen such a wide presence of armed groups before. Their hideouts dot al-Ghazaliya and they are breeding like mushrooms. They call themselves resistance but they kill and kidnap on identity cards and ask for massive ransoms,” Abedsada said.
A woman, refusing to be named, said her husband was abducted by armed men who forced their way into their house in the violent neighborhood of Saydiya. “My husband was kidnapped from our home in Saydiya by an unidentified armed group. They entered our house, handcuffed my husband and took away our money and jewelry. “Then they asked for $30,000 as a ransom but later reduced it to $20,000 when I told them they had already taken almost all what we had. “After paying the ransom, they released my husband on condition that we immediately evacuate the neighborhood and so did we,” said the woman, who only spoke on condition of anonymity.
Abu Ahmad from al-Jamia neighborhood said their areas had turned into hideouts for armed groups. “Armed groups operate and act with impunity. They can do whatever they want as there are no Iraqi security forces in most of our neighborhood. “Occasionally, U.S. troops storm certain areas and arrest some people most of whom are innocent,” Abu Ahmad said.
Conditions in Amiriya neighborhood have also worsened since U.S. and Iraqi forces launched their security plan. Hadi Mahmoud said many residents in Amiriya now fear leaving their homes and a trip outside the neighborhood is for many ‘a journey to certain death.’ “We cannot leave our areas and our homes. Our neighborhood looks almost deserted apart from the sight of armed groups brandishing their weapons and wandering freely in the streets,” said Mahmoud.
The Ministry of Interior which plays a big hand in the current operations targeting armed and rebel groups in the city would not comment on reports on the escalation of the number of armed in the city. But a ministry source, refusing to be named, said, “The security forces are striking with a fist of iron all the hatcheries of armed groups in various areas (of Baghdad) and the provinces by capturing many of them every week.”
But Baghdad residents have different stories to tell. Kadhem Abedsada who has been forced to flee al-Ghazaliya district, said security conditions have aggravated since the government began its security plan. “I have never seen such a wide presence of armed groups before. Their hideouts dot al-Ghazaliya and they are breeding like mushrooms. They call themselves resistance but they kill and kidnap on identity cards and ask for massive ransoms,” Abedsada said.
A woman, refusing to be named, said her husband was abducted by armed men who forced their way into their house in the violent neighborhood of Saydiya. “My husband was kidnapped from our home in Saydiya by an unidentified armed group. They entered our house, handcuffed my husband and took away our money and jewelry. “Then they asked for $30,000 as a ransom but later reduced it to $20,000 when I told them they had already taken almost all what we had. “After paying the ransom, they released my husband on condition that we immediately evacuate the neighborhood and so did we,” said the woman, who only spoke on condition of anonymity.
Abu Ahmad from al-Jamia neighborhood said their areas had turned into hideouts for armed groups. “Armed groups operate and act with impunity. They can do whatever they want as there are no Iraqi security forces in most of our neighborhood. “Occasionally, U.S. troops storm certain areas and arrest some people most of whom are innocent,” Abu Ahmad said.
Conditions in Amiriya neighborhood have also worsened since U.S. and Iraqi forces launched their security plan. Hadi Mahmoud said many residents in Amiriya now fear leaving their homes and a trip outside the neighborhood is for many ‘a journey to certain death.’ “We cannot leave our areas and our homes. Our neighborhood looks almost deserted apart from the sight of armed groups brandishing their weapons and wandering freely in the streets,” said Mahmoud.
COMMENT: The Azzaman Arabic Daily is a self declared “independent” newspaper printed in Great Britain and distributed throughout the Arab community. The Editor-in-Chief, Sadi Al Bazzaz is a former employee of the Iraqi Ministry of Information, who fled Iraq in the early 1990’s to Great Britain. Azzaman is widely read throughout Baghdad as a valuable source of information. Azzaman continues to be the most popular printed news source in Baghdad. Azzaman takes more of a center approach in its reporting and editorials, rather than being pro-Coalition. The paper does run anti-Coalition pieces that label the US presence in Iraq as an occupying force. Azzaman Arabic Daily resembles a liberal, non-religious based, western paper; providing local and international news, sports, fashion, arts, a cyber section called “@.” This paper and those like it were not available in Baghdad during the Saddam regime.COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: al-Jamia, Ameriyah, armed groups, Baghdad, Doura, Ghazaliyah, insurgents, Ministry of Interior, Operation Fardh al-Qanoon, Saydiya, security
Saturday, May 05, 2007
51 fuel tankers set on fire
Security
(Azzaman) -Unidentified armed groups attacked a convoy of 51 fuel tankers and set them on fire on the highway between Baiji and Samarra. The tankers were loaded with oil products from the country’s main refinery complex in Baiji and were reported to be on their way to the rebel city of Ramadi west of Baghdad.
Both Baiji and Samarra are rebel hideouts and armed groups have conspicuous presence in the area. The two cities control the highway leading to the refineries and the Turkish borders. The whole area stretching from Baghdad to Mosul, 400 kilometers to the north of the capital, is extremely dangerous.
Rebels frequently attack fuel convoys as well as pipelines and oil installations. Their attacks have almost put out of order the twin pipeline which used to carry nearly 1 million barrels of oil to Turkish Mediterranean terminals under former leader Saddam Hussein. Baiji is also the site of major power generation plants and but rebel attacks on pylons and supply lines as well as the plants themselves have reduced out to minimal.
Both Baiji and Samarra are rebel hideouts and armed groups have conspicuous presence in the area. The two cities control the highway leading to the refineries and the Turkish borders. The whole area stretching from Baghdad to Mosul, 400 kilometers to the north of the capital, is extremely dangerous.
Rebels frequently attack fuel convoys as well as pipelines and oil installations. Their attacks have almost put out of order the twin pipeline which used to carry nearly 1 million barrels of oil to Turkish Mediterranean terminals under former leader Saddam Hussein. Baiji is also the site of major power generation plants and but rebel attacks on pylons and supply lines as well as the plants themselves have reduced out to minimal.
Labels: armed groups, Baiji, fuel tankers, Samarra
Monday, April 30, 2007
Iraq to proceed with security reconstruction with or without U.S.
Security
(Azzaman) - Iraq will go ahead with its plans to build its own armed forces and reinstate security despite U.S. warnings of timetables and benchmarks, National Security Adviser said. Mowafaq al-Rubai said Iraq’s battle against Qaeda-related groups in Iraq will continue whether the Americans stayed or left.
“The Americans have their timetables and are governed by schedules but these things do not concern us,” he said in an interview. “We will proceed with the building of the armed forces and the institutions of a modern state and revise the constitution. “What others say is not a matter of concern for us. America addresses its own people and we address our own. “They (Americans) say this is the last battle to beat Qaeda and we say to them it is the first battle. We have our schedules and they have theirs,” Rubai said.
He said the government was involved in ‘serious negotiations’ with ‘certain influential armed groups’ and was trying its best to engage them in the political process. Rubai did not say which groups were involved but reiterated there would be no compromise with terrorist groups like Qaeda. He said the security plan now in its third month has ‘achieved a great deal’ despite the surge in car bomb attacks.
Prior to the start of the plan more than 100 bodies were dumped on the streets of Baghdad. “Now the figure has dropped by nearly 90 percent,” he said. “Killing on identity has almost disappeared in Baghdad and this is a victory by itself,” he said. He said the building of concrete walls to isolate and separate certain quarters of Baghdad on sectarian grounds was ‘to protect the people’ and that more such walls will be constructed in the future.
“The Americans have their timetables and are governed by schedules but these things do not concern us,” he said in an interview. “We will proceed with the building of the armed forces and the institutions of a modern state and revise the constitution. “What others say is not a matter of concern for us. America addresses its own people and we address our own. “They (Americans) say this is the last battle to beat Qaeda and we say to them it is the first battle. We have our schedules and they have theirs,” Rubai said.
He said the government was involved in ‘serious negotiations’ with ‘certain influential armed groups’ and was trying its best to engage them in the political process. Rubai did not say which groups were involved but reiterated there would be no compromise with terrorist groups like Qaeda. He said the security plan now in its third month has ‘achieved a great deal’ despite the surge in car bomb attacks.
Prior to the start of the plan more than 100 bodies were dumped on the streets of Baghdad. “Now the figure has dropped by nearly 90 percent,” he said. “Killing on identity has almost disappeared in Baghdad and this is a victory by itself,” he said. He said the building of concrete walls to isolate and separate certain quarters of Baghdad on sectarian grounds was ‘to protect the people’ and that more such walls will be constructed in the future.
Labels: Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, armed groups, Iraq, Iraqi security forces, negotiations, U.S.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Talabani in final negotiations with five armed groups
Politics, Insurgency
(Al-Iraqiyah ) - President Jalal Talabani announced on April 11 that negotiations with five armed groups are entering the final stages, and that they will abandon violence and join the political process, state-run Al-Iraqiyah television reported the same day. He declined to name the groups, fearing they may be singled out and targeted by groups connected to Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Talabani also stressed that a dialogue should be opened with all groups that reject terrorism. "We should be ready to deal with the groups that have distinguished themselves from terrorists," he said. "There are two trenches: the trench of Iraqi people and the trench of terrorism. We cannot be in the two trenches." Talabani singled out the Iraqi Islamic Party as being one of the groups that has rejected terrorism and as a result should be given the full support of the government and people.
Labels: armed groups, Iraqi Islamic Party, Jalal Talabani, negotiations
