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| Iraq |
| Weekly Report on Iraq |
| 2007-01-12 |
| Back to the .pdf format. Highlights: MNC-I Commander, LTG Odierno, Discusses Expectations for Iraq War: • Lieutenant General (LTG) Raymond Odierno, who assumed command of the Multi-National Corps – Iraq (MNC-I) last month, said January 7 that even with the likely deployment of additional US combat troops expected as part of the President’s revised Iraq strategy, it might take another two or three years for Coalition and Iraqi forces to gain the upper hand in the war. LTG Odierno also emphasized the critical role additional Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces troops would play in protecting and securing the population in Baghdad. IA Captures Four Murder And Kidnapping Cell Leaders in Sadr City Raid: • Iraqi Army (IA) Special Forces with Coalition advisors captured four suspects January 3 in Sadr City during operations targeting perpetrators of violence against innocent Iraqis. The four suspects are believed to be leaders of a kidnapping and murder cell responsible for the deaths of Iraqi civilians, kidnapping, and conducting illegal trials and executions. They are also suspected of organizing and directing sectarian-based mortar attacks on neighborhoods surrounding Sadr City. Eighty Percent of Iraq’s Army Divisions Are in the Lead: • MNF-I spokesman Major General Caldwell announced January 3rd that 80% of Iraq’s Army divisions are in the lead. This is compared to a year ago on January 1, 2006, when only one of Iraq’s ten army divisions that's, uh ... 10%, right? was responsible for its own battlespace, meaning it could plan, coordinate and conduct security operations independent of Coalition Forces (CF). 2nd and 3rd IA Divisions to Take Charge in Ninewa Province: • MNC-I Commander LTG Odierno announced January 7 that the 2nd Iraqi Army (IA) Division will take charge of security in Mosul and the 3rd IA Division will do the same in Tal Afar January 15. LTG Odierno stated that CF will then move to nearby cities and assume more of a combat support role. Maliki to Launch “Non-Sectarian” Security Plan: • Prime Minister Maliki aims to launch a new Baghdad security plan, which Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Askari said would start “very soon.” • Maliki warned rival political parties against interfering in his plan, and stated that “the Baghdad security plan will not offer a safe shelter for outlaws, regardless of their ethnic and political affiliations, and we will punish anyone who hesitates to implement orders because of his ethnic and political background.” • According to Maliki’s aides, the Prime Minister believes that if the additional troops can reduce violence over the next two months, then he can negotiate more effectively with Shia militia leaders in the city and improve his chances of disarming them. SCIRI’s Hakim Applauds Saddam Execution: • Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) leader Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim defended the carrying out of the sentence against Saddam Hussein for the extrajudicial killing of 148 Iraqis in Dujail in 1982 as a “bold step” by the government. Hakim also urged authorities to expedite the execution of two former Hussein-era officials who were sentenced to death together with Hussein in November. • Hakim also stated that his community was the victim of “sectarian genocide” under Hussein. Iraqi Politicians Divided on Khalilzad’s Upcoming Nomination to Become US Permanent Representative to the UN: • News of Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad’s upcoming nomination to become the US permanent representative to the UN split Iraqi politicians along sectarian lines, with members of the ruling Shia alliance voicing eagerness for him to leave and minority Sunnis expressing concern at the loss of him. • US Embassy officials have said that they do not favor one sect over the other and that reducing the violence requires difficult compromises for all parties. • Sunni lawmakers said Khalilzad's deep knowledge of Iraq's complex political landscape and his openness to Sunni concerns will be missed. Electricity: • Limited power imports from other regions and below-average production from local generating plants have limited Baghdad daily electricity service to six hours or less since December 29. • On January 10, a further reduction in power from both sources made it necessary to direct all available power to the city’s essential services, leaving none for other demand. Second Saddam Video Released: • On January 9, a new video of Saddam Hussein's corpse, with a gaping neck wound, was shown on an Iraqi news website known to support the Baath party. The video appeared to have been taken by a mobile phone and was apparently taken shortly after the sentence was carried out. • In a headline over a link to the video, the website said “A new film of the late immortal martyr, President Saddam Hussein.” So are they mocking him, or trying to immortalize him as a martyr? I'm confused. • This video marks the second leaked to the public. The first showed Saddam being taunted before his hanging. • Seven children are reported to have died worldwide after seeing video footage of the execution of Saddam, many in "play" hangings that ended in tragedy. The latest victim was a 12-year-old boy, who hanged himself in northeast Saudi Arabia January 7, the daily Al-Hayat reported January 8. AQI Releases Internet Statement: • Al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) released in Internet statement January 8, urging Sunni Arabs in Baghdad to prepare to face the government’s new security plan, calling the Prime Mnister’s new plan for Baghdad a cover for “annihilating” Sunnis. As long as you believe that since all Al-Qaida are Sunni, then all Sunni are Al-Qaida. |
| Posted by:Bobby |