Saturday, February 17, 2007
Al-Hashimi wants unauthorised weapons surrendered
Politics, Security
(RFE/RL) Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi praised the Baghdad security operation in a February 15 interview with Al-Arabiyah television, saying the plan is "based on neutrality and professionalism." He added that if the plan's principles, outlined by the prime minister earlier this week, are implemented, then it "will proceed well."
Al-Hashimi noted his disappointment, however, that details of the plan were leaked ahead of time, which gave insurgents, both Sunni and Shi'ite, the opportunity to flee or hide. "These criminals should have been targeted, arrested, and brought to justice," al-Hashimi said. "I regret to say these groups have now fled and disappeared." He also called on Prime Minister al-Maliki to develop a comprehensive plan to get all unauthorized weapons off the streets. "I think the government is in dire need of an integrated plan to tempt people to surrender their weapons to the government," he said. "I wish this step would have been taken before the implementation of the Baghdad security plan, but this did not happen."
Labels: insurgents, security operation, Tariq al-Hashemi
Friday, February 16, 2007
Security operation launched in Basra
Security
(Voices of Iraq) The spokeswoman for the British forces in southern Iraq said on Thursday a large-scale security operation was launched in the southern Iraqi city of Basra to "curb" the armed groups active in the city. Captain Katie said "the operation aims at curbing the criminals and militias and closing the borders through a series of security operations to be carried out by the Multi-National forces along with Iraqi troops."
Captain Brown added "the operation will continue for 72 hours in preparation to impose a buffer zone around Basra. It is a first step for a possible transfer of the security responsibility in Basra to the Iraqi forces," she said. The operation includes, Captain Brown pointed out, "positioning combined checkpoints on the highway to Basra, carrying out naval patrols in the Iraqi territorial waters and closing the borders. A large-scale search and arrest campaign will also be implemented by British and Iraqi forces in various parts of Basra," the spokeswoman added.
Captain Brown added "the operation will continue for 72 hours in preparation to impose a buffer zone around Basra. It is a first step for a possible transfer of the security responsibility in Basra to the Iraqi forces," she said. The operation includes, Captain Brown pointed out, "positioning combined checkpoints on the highway to Basra, carrying out naval patrols in the Iraqi territorial waters and closing the borders. A large-scale search and arrest campaign will also be implemented by British and Iraqi forces in various parts of Basra," the spokeswoman added.
Labels: Basra, British forces, security operation
