Main Security Incidents In Iraq January 29th 2007 Translated And Summarised From Arabic
Najaf/Karbala Aftermath
Mine clearing operations are now underway to remove mines planted by the Mahdist group who were followers of Ahmed al-Hassan believing him to be the hidden Imam. This report in Arabic on the detention of 50 gunmen said to be members of the Mahdist group, the detention of 200 women and children, and an eyewitness report of casualties of “up to a 1000 dead” can also be found in English here. [Zu al-Fukkar in the English report is a different spelling of Zulfiqar it was the sword of Ali and was used by Imam Hussein at the battle of Karbala - saba] The original report of the storming of his camp and his death is here. The green zone government has said that Karbala is being protected by 10,000 police and that “MNF forces” are providing air cover to help protect the Ashura cermemonies. The first official toll has been released an English version of the report is here.
This earlier report details some of the measures being taken to protect pilgrims as they make their way from Baghdad to Karbala, including:
- Check points on the main Baghad - Karala Highway.
- Increased patrolling on the route to Karbala.
- The closure of some main streets to allow processions to take place before the pilgrims leave for Karbala.
- The closure of some bridges*.
- Reinforced concrete barriers.
- Providing ambulances to accomany large groups of pilgrims both to assist the infirm and also as a precaution in case of attacks.
[* A painful lesson from last year - saba. So far there have been no verified reports of attacks on pilgrims from Baghdad on the Baghdad - Karbala highway.]
Main Security reports follow;
Baghdad:
4 people have been killed and 10 wounded by a suicide bomber in al-Hurriyah. It’s unclear whether his target was civilians queuing for gas cookling fuel or a passing patrol of soldiers. A mortar attack on al-Zafanariyah killed 11 and wounded 28 also in al-Zafanariyah an Ashura religious procession was bombed this afternoon there are known to be casualties but not yet their number. The Arab league is recalling its ambassador and may move it’s mission to Iraq to another country because of the “seriousness of the [security] situation there.” 12 people suspected of being fighters against the occupation and green zone government troops have been detained intwo separate “sweeps” according to a statement issued from the “multi-national” hadquarters. Six people were killed in separate bombings earlier in the day a car bomb in al-Baladiyat killed two and wounded six people, a bomb near al-Mustansiriya University killed two people and wounded four others, two died and three wounded in the Beirut square bombing, all were civilians. 42 bodies were recovered from various parts of Baghdad and brought to the morgue, some had been gagged, blindfolded and bound, some had been tortured, all had been shot. This report deals with thekidnapping of three university law professors and the son of one of them, there is an English translation here. The Accord Front are to present evidence of human rights abuses during the recent assault on Haifa street, their cooperation with the security plan for Baghdad is dependant on the results from this. 12 people including 3 from one family in Khadimiya have been injured inmortar attackss.
Kirkuk
A village administrator and his bodyguard were injured in a roadside bomb ambush. The police station in Al-Huwayjah was mortared, one person died and one was wounded in a bomb attack 5 km north of Kirkuk. A coordinated bomb and mortar attack in Qadisiyah 5km north of Kirkuk targeting the pk office killed 8 people and wounded 15. Eight people were arrested trying to cross the border ilegally near Zakho.
Fallujah
Fighting took place between American invader troops and gunmen in the city no word of casualties as yet.
Diyala
2 civilians were killed and 3 injured in a mortar attack in al-Khalis.
Salah Ad Din
A policeman was killed in Baiji, a kidnap victim kidnapped yesterday body with multiple gunshot wounds was found near Tikrit, a civilian was killed in a roadside bombing. Also in the Tikriti a suicide bomber detonated his payload during evening prayers inside a mosque at Tuz Khormatu so far it is known that two worshippers were killed and 4 wounded.
Indexed under: Al Anbar (Governorate), Aswat Al Iraq - News, Baghdad, Basrah, Disputed Areas, Diyala, Fallujah, Khalis, Kirkuk, Najaf