Two From Baghdad

Via Haider Ajina:

Greetings,

The following are two articles from the Iraqi independent news agency Aswat Al-Iraq (voices of Iraq VOI) of February 6 2007.

Baghdad-Siege
Iraqi-U.S. forces besiege areas in eastern Baghdad
By Adel Fakher

Baghdad, Feb 6, (VOI) – Joint Iraqi-U.S. forces besieged on Tuesday morning the areas of al-Qahira and al-Suleikh in eastern Baghdad, according to eyewitnesses.

"The siege took place with armored vehicles and tanks while all main roads leading to these areas were sealed off," an eyewitness told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

These troops set up checkpoints on the entrances of both areas and inspected entering vehicles, the source added.

Iraqi forces from both army and police are resuming deployment in towns in the capital Baghdad while military patrols spread on the main roads in preparation to carry out the Baghdad security plan, codenamed (Rule of Law).

Maliki meets Iraqi military leaders on new plan

Baghdad, Feb 6, (VOI)- Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met on Tuesday with Iraqi army and police leaders to discuss the proper implementation of Baghdad's new security plan to secure the Iraqi capital.

Al-Maliki said in an address to leaders who gathered at his office whenever you were within a military operation, you should only serve Iraq and its people.

The Premier also said during the meeting aired by the official al-Iraqiya TV "the Baghdad security plan will show how great it is the role of the army, police and citizens altogether."

"We all should unify our stands so that no one would be seemingly represent a certain sect or party," al-Maliki added.

The Iraqi capital Baghdad suffers a great deal of violence that claims scores lives on daily basis.

Al-Maliki's government plans to send Iraqi troops for more noticeable presence in the capital to regain order under a plan codenamed "Rule of Law."

The new plan for securing Baghdad with extra U.S. & Iraqi troops and security forces seems to be in its early hours. Maliki has said in many speeches and interviews that the outlaws (all who carry weapons against the state no matter who they are) have no place to hide. They cannot hide in homes, libraries, Mosques, hospitals, schools etc..Moreover, all who aid the outlaws will be dealt with. No one in Iraq is above the law. Maliki also said that the neighboring countries and other Arab states who meddle in Iraq’s internal affairs do this to destabilize Iraq. He adds, they do this because they fear that freedom and democracy will spread to their countries, these leaders are but a copy of Iraq’s former dictatorship. Operation ‘Rule of Law’ has the support of many political and religious groups some who have their own militia. Already the Iraqi Army’s Tenth Brigade has moved from southern Iraq (were it is relatively stable) to Baghdad to participate in operation ‘Rule of Law’.

Regards
Haider Ajina
McKinleyville CA