Security Incidents In Iraq January 19th 2007 Reported By Aswat Al Iraq Translated And Summarised From Arabic
There’s no doubt what today’s most alarming development is the detention of Abdul-Hadi al-Darraji. This represents a major escalation. The report in today’s Guardian headlined:
that al-Sadr has sent his family into hiding accords with other reports from Iraq. I have chosen to headline tonight’s posting with it rather than the Arabic language reports from Aswat Al Iraq.
I dread the coming bloodbath. So do the Iraqis - they know what’s coming next. It’s why the Iraqi contingent who post here evacuated their families once they’d confirmed the reports that American forces were sealing off Sadr city. Thank God they were on time to do that.
markfromireland
Detention of Sheikh Abdul-Hadi al-Darraji
The fall out from the American detention of Sheikh Abdul-Hadi al-Darraji continues. This report is the second update. Aswat al Iraq have published an English translation of this report. There are no significant diffences between the English and Arabic versions. The text below is from the English version a previous English language update can be found here:
U.S.-Sadr-Update 2
Sadr aide detained without Iraqi government knowledge - MP
(Adds comments by Shanshal)
Baghdad, Jan 19, (VOI) - The Iraqi government had no prior knowledge of the arrest of Sheikh Abdul-Hadi al-Darraji, a top aide of Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr by U.S. forces on Friday, a prominent Sadrist politician said.
U.S.-Sadr-Update 2
Sadr aide detained without Iraqi government knowledge - MP
(Adds comments by Shanshal)
Baghdad, Jan 19, (VOI) - The Iraqi government had no prior knowledge of the arrest of Sheikh Abdul-Hadi al-Darraji, a top aide of Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr by U.S. forces on Friday, a prominent Sadrist politician said.
“I called the minister of defense Abdul-Qader al-Abeidi, national security advisor Mowafaq al-Rubaii and Vice-premiere Barham Saleh but they all stressed that the government had no knowledge of the operation, legislator Falah Shanshal told the independent news agency voices of Iraq (VOI).
Earlier on Friday, the U.S. army said Iraqi forces detained the leader of an armed group, indirectly referring to Darraji.
Shanshal also said the U.S. forces killed a companion of Darraji in the raid.
He said the officials promised to make every effort to release Darraji.
“The arrest aims at dragging the Sadrist movement into a confrontation and may have been a result of its decision to return to meetings of parliament and the government on Monday,” he added.
“The Sadrist movement has previously stressed to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that it supported the new security plan as long as it is being carried out under an Iraqi command which the prime minister confirmed,” he said.
The U.S. army said in a statement: “In an Iraqi-led operation, Special Iraqi Army Forces captured a high-level, illegal armed group leader during operations with Coalition advisers Friday in eastern Baghdad.”
“Iraqi forces detained him based on credible intelligence that he is the leader of illegal armed group punishment committee activity, involving the organized kidnapping, torture and murder of Iraqi civilians,” read the statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
“The suspect is also reportedly involved in the assassination of numerous Iraqi Security Forces members and government officials. The suspect allegedly leads various illegal armed group operations and is affiliated with illegal armed group cells targeting Iraqi civilians for sectarian attacks and violence,” it added
The U.S. army said the suspect was “believed to be affiliated with Abu Dura and other Baghdad death squad commanders.”
The operation occurred in the Baladiyat area of Baghdad.
Two additional suspects were detained by Iraqi forces for further questioning, said the statement.
The original report of the Sheikh’s arrest is here a fuller report upon which all subsequent updates and translations are based is here.
Intergovernorate Security Plan to protect Ashurra pilgrims
The Maysan component of the intergovernorate security plan to protect pilgrims during the forthcoming ceremonies was announced in Maysan in a statement by the head of Public Security Committee for Maysan Governorate today.
The plan includes securing highways and the usual search and crowd control measures within towns and cities.
Other reports from Aswat Al Iraq
Maysan governorate has started a campaign to clamp down on all fuel sales other than from officlally recognised sources. [Maysan is badly affected by the fuel shortage in general and of parafin (Kerosene) used for cooking in particular - markfromireland]
The American Army of occupation in Iraq issued a statement saying that the two members of Wasit governorate council detained by them in an armed raid were suspected of being involved in weapons smuggling. They also deny that American “advisers” carried out the detention themselves. The American statement said that the two council members were:
“under arrest pending the outcome of the investigation.”
This almost identical report to the one linked to immediately previously and filed slightly later concludes by reporting on the fourth day of demonstrations in Kut protesting the American action. The report points out that the demonstrators cut off the highway to Baghdad for four hours permitting only humanitarian vehicles such as Ambulances to pass through and quotes Yusuf Hassan Faris a saying that the demonstrations would continue.
An American army of occupation patrol in north Fallujah was attacked using a roadside bomb. There are believed to be casualties. The American occupiers have mounted a publicity campaign asking residents to join the police. American occupation troops patrolled with loudspeakers calling on residents to join the police who report to the green zone government. The Aswat al Iraq report lists some of the restrictions placed upon residents by the American occupation forces which it describes as a siege. Residents movements are subjected to restrictions andchecks, they may not enter or leave their city except at designated times and through designated checkpoints, getting through those checkpoints can take several hours. All residents must carry what Aswat Al Iraq describe as special identity cards and are permitted to have a residence only in the city. [The ID cards referred to are the Biometric ID cards - markfromireland]
In Baghdad the American army of occupation issued a statement on the killing of one of its soldiers and the wounding of three others in a bomb attack yesterday. Aswat al Iraq’s report points out that 25 American soldiers in the Army of occupation have died this month alone and repeats the list of months in which American casualties were particularly high. In Hit a series of raids spanning four districts has resulted in the detention of twenty civilians. Aswat al Iraq have published an English translation of this report. There are no significant diffences between the English and Arabic versions. The English version which describes the methods used to capture the detained civilians including inter alia stun bombs can be found here.
The visit by the new American Defense Minister [the American title is “Secretary of Defense” - markfromireland] to American troops occupying Iraq has been covered by Aswat Al Iraq in various updates the latest of which at the time I started is here. Aswat al Iraq have published an English translation of that report. The English version is here. There were several attacks on British occupation bases in Basrah today. Six British occupation troops were wounded during those attacks. Two previously detained suspects were released. Raids and searches uncovered a cache of weapons including RPGs and mortar shells.
Unknown attackers killed the two guards of the Shia shrine in 60th street Dora Baghdad today. They then blew up the shrine, a third guard was wounded. Munshid Khawwaf the head of the SSB responsible for developing the Iraqi tourist industry was murdered in Ghazaliya West Baghdad by gunmen as he left his home for work this morning. In Diyala five members of one family from Mutawakil were wounded by a Katyusha attack ón their home [From where the village is at a guess they’re very small farmers or agricultural labourers - markfromireland] tacked on to the report is the information that a green zone government sweep netted five suspects.
Western Agency Reports
Mclatchy’s daily roundup:
Roundup of violence in Iraq - 19 January 2007 - 1/19/2007 02:57 PM EST
By Mohammed al Awsy, McClatchy Newspapers
The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Mohammed al Awsy 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 (Alertnet first 10 only)
White House, Democrats in “sound-bite war” on Iraq
19 Jan 2007 22:40:17 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds Perino and Hagel comments, new resolution planned) By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Intensifying a war of words over a U.S. troop buildup in Iraq, House of Representatives … Full article
Australia joins US call for bigger UN role in Iraq
19 Jan 2007 22:22:29 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Michelle Nichols NEW YORK, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Australia asked the United Nations on Friday to take a bigger role in Iraq, particularly in helping to quell sectarian violence. Foreign Minister … Full article
White House, Democrats step up words war on Iraq
19 Jan 2007 21:01:36 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Intensifying a war of words over a U.S. troop buildup in Iraq, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused President George W. Bush on … Full article
Twenty hurt in Indian protest at Saddam execution
19 Jan 2007 18:35:12 GMT
Source: Reuters
BANGALORE, India, Jan 19 (Reuters) - At least 20 people were injured in Bangalore on Friday when police clashed with thousands of demonstrators protesting against the execution of former Iraqi leader … Full article
UK general: UK troops to stay in Iraq through 2007
19 Jan 2007 16:35:47 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds details, comments throughout) By Kristin Roberts WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Britain’s senior representative in Iraq on Friday said British forces will remain in Iraq through 2007 and … Full article
FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Jan 19
19 Jan 2007 16:24:04 GMT
Source: Reuters
Jan 19 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq as of 1600 GMT on Friday: * indicates new or updated item * FALLUJA - Two former policemen were shot dead in front of their homes in … Full article
Yemen denies harbouring wanted Saddam aide
19 Jan 2007 16:17:10 GMT
Source: Reuters
SANAA, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Yemen denied on Friday that it was harbouring one of Saddam Hussein’s top aides as alleged by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Talabani told Reuters in an interview … Full article
U.S. seizes Sadr aide as Gates visits Iraq
19 Jan 2007 16:05:17 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds reported Sadr quotes) By Alastair Macdonald and Mariam Karouny BAGHDAD, Jan 19 (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi troops seized a prominent spokesman for Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Friday, … Full article
UK general: UK troops to stay in Iraq through 2007
19 Jan 2007 15:00:07 GMT
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Britain’s senior representative in Iraq said British forces will remain in Iraq through 2007 and perhaps into 2008 if the Baghdad government asks for continued help. & … Full article
FACTBOX-Military and civilian deaths in Iraq
19 Jan 2007 14:02:56 GMT
Source: Reuters
Jan 19 (Reuters) - One U.S. soldier was killed and three wounded by a roadside bomb in northwest Baghdad on Thursday, the U.S. military said. Following are the latest figures for military deaths in … Full article
AFP
Top Sadr aide held as Gates visits Iraq
19/01/2007 18h43
Iraqi security forces arrested a top aide of fiery Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in a new crackdown on militias as US Defence Secretary Robert Gates paid a visit to the strife-torn country.
Indexed under: Al Anbar (Governorate), Aswat Al Iraq - News, Baghdad, Basrah, Disputed Areas, Diyala, Fallujah, Journalists Attacked, Khalis, Kirkuk, Maysan (Governorate)