Police:Weapon cache seized in Khanaqin District
PUKmedia 13:00:04 2010-02-10
A weapon cache of 300 magnetic bombs was seized on February 9thin Naft khana area, Khanaqin District, the Border Guards spokesman Abdul Karim told PUKmedia.
Naft khana is a vast area and mostly populated by Arab villagers.
The latest seizure came after a series of anti-terrorist raids in the area and the bombs would be destroyed in the next few days, Karim added.
Nepotism Rampant In Offices Of Senior Iraqi Officials
The children of senior officials in the Iraqi government of Iraq are given various privileges, both inside and outside the government. In some cases, ministries have become "family" institutions. According to a report in the Iraqi daily al-Mada, no sooner do senior officials take up their posts than they fire or transfer employees to make room for their own family members of members of their political party.
The children receive privileges of two kinds: first is the appointment to senior positions close to the parent allegedly to ensure security and confidence in handling the affairs of the ministry or agency. Second are diplomatic and material privileges extended to children, normally residing overseas where they live a life of luxury.
As a result of these acts, and of widespread corruption, Facebook activists have launched a campaign called "The Green Iraqi Uprising" which calls on Iraqis to support demands for social services and for improving the living standards of Iraq after eight years of injustice, despotism and corruption.
Iraqi poet Hamid Qassim said that the situation calls "for peaceful demonstrations in the streets every day against security forces that do not protect us from murderers and violate our freedoms and rights; against officials who are thieves and corrupt; against unemployment; and against the failure to provide electricity and services. We must raise our voices so that they tremble. Do not be afraid. Thieves are usually cowards."
Source: Al-Mada, Iraq, February 9, 2011, February 8, and al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, February 8, 2011
Iraq's Rapid Deployment Force arrests defendant charged with planning to kill reporters:
2/9/2011 3:06 PM
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Interior Ministry's Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) on Wednesday arrested a defendant, charged with planning to assassinate workers in the mass media field, the semi-official al-Iraqiya TV Satellilte Channel reported.
"The Interior Ministry's Rapid Deployment Force, in cooperation with the office of the Commander-in-Chief have arrested a man, called Ali Mohammed Ja'auby, charged with planning to assassinate media reporters," the Channel said.
It added that "defendent Ali Mohammed Ja'auby is also charged with having blown up the car of Ala'a Muhsin, the Director of the Iraqi Republic's Radio Station, who escaped death when an Improvised Explosive Charge (IED), stuck to his car, blew up, destroying his car in Baghdad's Saidiya district on 27/9/2010, causing him some injuries.
Diyala: 37 wanted arrested
Tuesday, February 8th 2011 8:16 AM
Diyala, Feb.8 (AKnews)- The spokesman for Diyala police said in different part of the province 37 wanted were arrested, while he dismissed the reports about a mortar attack on a police station in Diyala.
Ghalib ‘Atiya told AKnews Monday in a joint venture of Diyala police and security forces the wanted under “terrorism law” were arrested. They are accused of bombing, kidnapping and murdering civilians.
The spokesman declined to reveal further information about the detainees.
“Atiya added the reports about a mortar attack on a police station in the province and the serious injury of two soldiers in the wake of the attack are not but“falsehood.”
Diyala, centered in Baquba city, is 55 km east of Baghdad. The multiethnic province has witnessed rising insurgency since 2003 when the war to topple dawn Saddam Hussein regime broke out.
Reported by Bry
High-ranking Iraqi officer killed in Baghdad:
2/8/2011 12:05 PM
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-iraq: An Iraqi officer, with a Brigadier rank has been assassinated in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast close to his house in northwestern Baghdad on Tuesday, a security source said.
"An IED blew off close to the house of an Iraqi Army officer, with a Brigadier rank, in northwestern Baghdad's Ghazaliya district, killing him on the spot, while he was on his way for his work," the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
The security source also said that another IED blew off in the same venue of the attack, after the arrival of Army and police forces to the area, wounding two soldiers, a policeman and a civilian.
US envoy says Iraq can handle own security; TV update 2 Feb
Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic, in its 0900 newscasts on 2 February, reports on statements by US Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey on US-Iraqi relations after the US withdrawal from Iraq and celebrations of Prophet Muhammad's death anniversary.
- "US Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey has said before the US Congress that there is a historic opportunity to form a strategic alliance with Baghdad following the US withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year. Jeffrey told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the US State Department is ready to carry on its mission in Iraq following the withdrawal. He stressed that the Iraqi army is capable of shouldering its responsibilities and maintaining security and stability."
- "There was a massive influx of visitors from all Iraqi governorates as well as Arab and Muslim countries to Al-Najaf Governorate to visit the shrine of Imam Ali Bin-Abi-Talib, peace be upon him, to commemorate the death anniversary of the master of all creation Prophet Muhammad, may God's prayers be upon him and his household. The governorate officials stressed that army detachments and medical teams were deployed to maintain security and provide services to the visitors."
Source: Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 0900 gmt 2 Feb 11
BBC Mon ME1 MEPol sgn
Security kills suspected Islamic State of Iraq leader in Al-Anbar - TV update
Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic, in its morning newscasts on 27 January, reports on a meeting between Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Parliament Speaker Usamah al-Nujayfi, the Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations, UN representative for Iraq Ad Melkert's visit to Kirkuk, Iraqi security services killing a leader of the Islamic State in Iraq, ISI, the assassination of a foreign ministry high-ranking employee, and other political developments.
Political Developments
Within its 0500 gmt newscast, the channel reports the following:
- "Iraqi President Jalal Talabani discussed with Parliament Speaker Usamah al-Nujayfi the federal court's ruling on the independent commissions' subordination to the cabinet. The two figures also discussed the political and security situations, as well as the issue of political agreements."
- "Iraq and Kuwait have pledged to work together in order to settle the problem of the border and the pending Iraqi debts to Kuwait. During the celebration of Kuwait's 50th independence anniversary, as well as the fifth anniversary of the Kuwaiti Amir's assumption of power, Kuwaiti Ambassador Ali al-Mu'min said that both countries have the desire to develop bilateral relations, stressing that Kuwait is determined to solve all unsettled issues."
- "Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who was also present at the Kuwaiti Embassy's celebration, emphasized that a strong political will is needed to solve the unsettled issues, expressing his optimism and faith that such an objective can be achieved."
- "Ad Melkert, special representative of the UN secretary general for Iraq, has reached Kirkuk and met with the city's official figures to discuss the latest political developments. Melkert stressed that the UN plays an unbiased role and supports all sides, adding that the UN mission is to listen to everybody's concerns and suggest solutions."
Security Developments
Within its 0500 gmt newscast, the channel reports the following:
- "An anti-terrorism and organized crime force was able to kill terrorist Khalid Ibrahim Ali al-Dulaymi, the so-called military amir of the Al-Anbar province [Governorate] in the Islamic State in Iraq [ISI]. A source from the anti-terrorism force told Al-Iraqiyah TV that a local unit in the district clashed with the terrorist in Al-Niba'i, Baghdad, then killed him, noting that Al-Dulaymi is behind many terrorist attacks targeting the govenrorate, including the failed attempt to assassinate the Al-Anbar governor."
- "Abd-al-Jabbar Abdallah, head of the foreign ministry office, was assassinated while driving his car across the Al-Kazimiyah area. Unidentified gunmen with silencers assassinated Abdallah as he was in his car crossing the Salah-al-Din intersection, Al-Kazimiyah area. Furthermore, another foreign ministry employee was assassinated when a group of terrorists using gun silencers shot him near Al-Nusur square, central Baghdad."
- "For the purpose of developing the troops' combat skills, the 5th Division of the Iraqi Army conducted military training using live ammunition in the Base Normandy, Diyala Governorate. The field commanders stressed that the training and military strategies were successful despite the harsh conditions."
Source: Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 0500 gmt 27 Jan 11
BBC Mon ME1 MEPol vp
Interior ministry: Karbala bombings were planned in five provinces
Wednesday, January 26th 2011 3:22 PM
Baghdad, Jan. 26 (AKnews) - An official source at the Iraqi Interior Ministry, stated on Wednesday, that the explosions that targeted the visitors heading to Karbala were planned in five different Iraqi provinces.
Chief of Rapid Reaction Brigade, Numan Dakhil, told AKnews that intelligence information were received from the American side, on the Iraqi intelligence and national security about the terrorist attacks that targeted the visitors heading to Karbala.
Several explosions targeted the pilgrims heading on foot to Karbala city, 108 south west of Baghdad. The explosions killed and injured about 300 persons.
The Rapid Reaction Forces carried out after the bombings 17 security operations in different areas, and found out through investigation, that targeting the visitors were planned in the provinces of Missan, Wasit, Babil, Salahaddin, and Diyala.
The interior forces detained a number of persons suspected of targeting the visitors and they are under investigation.
High-ranking Iraq's Interior Ministry officer killed in Baghdad:
1/25/2011 9:33 AM
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A high-ranking officer in Iraqi Interior Ministry's Embassies Protection Directorate was shot dead in southwestern Baghdad's Al-Amil District on Monday evening, a security source said on Tuesday.
"Lt.
Brigadier, Raad Fakhri, from the Interior Ministry's Embassies Protection Directorate, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in southwest Baghdad's Al-Amil District, while driving his personal car on Monday night," the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
Iraq Security Forces infiltrated
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 11:28 GMT
Iraqi security forces have been infiltrated and intelligence has been leaked, Baghdad Operations Command told Alsumaria.
Baghdad Operations Command affirmed however the arrest of the cell responsible for assassinations in Baghdad.
Six leaders of the Islamic Army were arrested and large quantities of ammunition, weapons and explosives were seized, Baghdad Operations Command official spokesman Qassem Ata said.
Iraq to buy $26 billion worth of armaments from U.S.
Iraq will buy armaments worth $13 billion from the United States by 2013 and will spend another $13 billion on weapons later, a Baghdad newspaper reported citing an Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman.
Al Ittihad quoted Major General Mohammed Al Askari as saying that Iraq has already concluded a contract worth more than $13 bn with the United States.
The money will be used to buy aircraft, helicopters, tanks, other armored vehicles, warships and missiles, to enter service with the Iraqi defense and interior ministries.
4-year Iraqi-American military contractsigned
Tuesday, January 11th 2011 4:04 PM
Baghdad, Jan. 11 (AKnews) – An official source in the Iraqi government said on Tuesday that it has signed a 4-year $13.5bn contract with the U.S. military to equip and train the Iraqi army for the next four years.
The source who asked to remain unnamed told AKnews that under the terms of the contract, the U.S. will supply Iraq with military aircraft and high spec. tanks as well as a range of arms and equipment similar to those of the American army.
According to the source, the contract includes training for the majority of Iraq’s military units in modern strategic methods, particularly concerning border protection and the management of street violence.
“The Iraqi government has already started preparations for the conclusion of the contract with the U.S. Army, which will be within 60 days.”
The Iraqi Air Force has 115 aircraft, including C13 jets and MI17 planes as well as T-6 training craft and ISR reconnaissance planes supplied by the U.S. forces.
The contract for purchasing the American-made F16 fighter aircraft has reached advanced stages and the first aircraft is hoped to arrive in Iraq in spring 2013.
According to Ministry of Defense figures, the Iraqi army has 115,000 ground force infantry, considered to be the cornerstone of Iraq’s military strength.
The first units of the Iraqi armed forces were formed in 1921 during the British Mandate, followed by the formation of the Iraqi Air Force in 1931 and the Iraqi navy in 1937.
The Iraqi military was at it strongest at the end of the Iraqi-Iranian war when it comprised of over a million troops.
After 2003, the civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer issued a decision to disband the Iraqi army before being re-formed and re-armed.
The current Iraqi military comprises 130,000 members including 115,000 infantry, 700 in the Air Force, 1,100 in the Navy, 1,500 in the Special Forces, and 11,000 in various fighting units.
According to the ministry, the Iraqi army has 114 combat battalions, including an anti-terrorism regiment associated with the Office of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Nouri al-Maliki, in addition to the Thunder Regiment and eight regiments for strategic infrastructure.
Date Posted: 07-Jan-2011
Jane's Defence Weekly
Iraq receives Abrams tanks, patrol boat
Lauren Gelfand JDW Middle East/Africa Editor
Nairobi
Iraq received a steady stream of equipment purchased from the United States in the last weeks of December, some of which will be put into service immediately with the armed forces engaged in operations in the country's north as well as in the capital, Baghdad.
According to a statement from the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA), 12 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks arrived in the country on 22 December, bringing the total armour fleet to 63 for the Iraqi Army. Iraq has purchased 140 of the Abrams tanks under a Foreign Military Sales deal with Washington first negotiated in 2008 and has embarked on a training programme with assistance from the US Army.
The tanks are expected to be integrated into the Ninth Iraqi Army Mechanized Division deployed in centralIraq.
"The delivery of these tanks is a significant milestone which begins to establish Iraq's conventional defensive capabilities," US Forces-Iraq commander Lieutenant General Michael Barbero said in the DSCA statement.
Meanwhile, the second of a new class of US-built 115 ft (35 m) patrol boats was en route to Iraq after arriving in Bahrain. The vessel, which will be used to patrol coastal waters and provide security for oil platforms, is one of 15 to be delivered to Iraq, also negotiated as part of an FMS deal.
Also in December, three Bell T-407 training helicopters were delivered to Camp Taji to help train qualified Iraqi Army pilots, with the aim of accelerating the fielding and usage of armed Bell 407 Scout Helicopters before the end of 2011.
U.S. withdrawal from Iraq to take place in assigned date, Embassy spokesman says:
1/26/2011 12:08 PM
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The U.S.
withdrawal from Iraq shall take place on its scheduled time, at the end of 2011, according to the Strategic Agreement, signed between the two countries, to be followed by cooperation in the fields of defense and security, the official spokesman for the American Embassy in Baghdad said on Wednesday.
"The Strategic Agreement between Iraq and the United States, had reiterated that cooperation would continue after 2011 in the fields of defense and security, but such line would change from a military command into a civilian command after the withdrawal," the Saudi Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (Middle East) Newspaper quoted David Ranz as saying.
He said there "is another network of training programs, included in the Strategic Agreement between Iraq and the United States, including a program, to be led by the U.S State Department."
"The U.S.
forces shall leave Iraq, according to the Security Agreement, as the departure of those forces shall mean that the last soldier under the U.S.
Army shall leave Iraq," he said, adding: "naturally thee will be American officers, to work under the command of the U.S.
Ambassador in Iraq, the Military Attache or the Security Assistance Office and the Guards, who shall stay in Iraq."
Meanwhile, the U.S.
Embassy's official spokesman in Baghdad, has denied "the existence of any negotiations with Iran, regarding the situation in Iraq," adding that "Washington's talks with Iran is based on its talks with the Five-Plus-One States, about Iran's Nuclear Program."
As regards to the easing out of the U.S.
charges for Iraq's neighboring states towards the recent operations witnessed against Iraq recent, he said: "there is a good improvement and development in Iraq's relations with its neighbors."
"We have noticed a clear support for the new Iraqi government by its neighbors in the Region, and we have noticed that a number of Presidents, Ministers and high-ranking officials of the Region in Iraq, from Jordan, Turkey, the Arab League's Secretary General, Amru Moussa, as well as Iran," he added.
He said that the important development had been the historic visit by Kuwait's Prime Minister, which had been the first since Iraq's occupation of Kuwait, thing that had expressed Iraq's return to the regional and international community, followed by the great example, reflected in the decision to hold the Arab Summit in Baghdad.