Baghdad News from Haider Ajina

Via email...

Greetings,

The following is my translation of a news article from Iraq’s ‘Alsabah Aljadeed or New Sabah’ of Feb 26 2007

Al-Maliki said, hundreds killed and arrested in the new security operation

Iraqi PM Noori Al-Maliki said, ‘U.S. and Iraqi forces killed around 400 armed suspects since the beginning of the Baghdad security operation’. Al-Maliki visited the HQ for the security operations and prompted them not to fall under sectarian influence. Al-Maliki said in a press conference that 426-armed suspects have been arrested, and another similar number were killed since the beginning of the operation in mid February.

The Iraqi interior ministry reported that in northern Baghdad Iraqi forces with U.S. Air support have killed dozens of armed insurgents in an insurgent camp early Saturday morning. General Abdul Kareem Khalaf, spokesman for the ministry, said, ‘a large contingency of Iraqi forces clashed with armed men in a rural area at dawn and U.S. air strikes destroyed the insurgent base’.

Al-Maliki said, ‘Baghdad security plan will spread to other provinces as soon as it is successful in calming Baghdad. I am very optimistic about this plan, because of the support and cooperation between civilians and the security forces. There will be no peace for all the outlaws and all must know there will not be a country or security unless Laws rule. The government alone has the responsibility for the security of its citizen’s and national security’. He added, ‘the country will pursue all outlaws regardless of their affiliation. There will be no leniency for any outlaw and all security procedures will be implemented with out hesitation and completely devoid of political influence.

General Abud Qatier commander of operation ‘Enforce the Law’ (or Rule of Law) briefed the PM on the progress of operations and implementations achieved by the Iraqi forces daily. With its goal of defeating terrorism at its core and brining about security to Baghdad. The PM asserted the importance of respecting the rights of the individual by the security forces, and the manner in which they treat citizens especially as they search their homes, he added, ‘a soldier must not discriminate in his treatment of suspects and those who do will be dealt with accordingly. The soldiers are also responsible for spreading understanding, equality and brotherhood between all Iraqi sects’.

Al-Maliki said, ‘our battle with the outlaws is a battle of intelligence (as in uncovering secrets and information) and the security effort will help disassemble the foundation for the terrorist organizations. The average citizen has become the most effective and reliable intelligence source. The cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi security forces and the cooperation between the Iraqi security forces and the multi national forces will solidify our victory. The PM pointed out the positive outcomes of the operation over the last few days. Dismantling a number of terrorist cells, the foiling of many plots to kill civilians and the return of hundreds of families to their original homes. The country will provide returning families with security as well as financial rewards for damages. I promise that security officers will stay until security is achieved.

The PM was asked about attacks by terrorist groups against some of the returning families. He replied that these terrorists will be dealt with, with no leniency and will be arrested and sent to justice no matter what their affiliation. The PM was then asked about the meddling of some politicians with security operations and the statements they make (negative ones). The PM said, ‘I have instructed the commanders, of operation Enforce the Law, to not allow any political figure to interfere with security matters. These politicians have official governmental channels to use if they want information. As to their statements, it is a pity that some politicians have their own political agenda and some long for the old days. They must respect the national decision and the Iraqi people’s will, which the Iraqi people expressed at the ballet box. Mr. Abdul Kadir Mohamed Jasim the defense Minster and General Abud Qatier commander of operation ‘Enforce the Law’ accompanied PM.

Operation enforce the law is so far going better than expected and appears to continue this way. I spoke to my father in Baghdad, he said that the street is very impressed by the operation and receiving much cooperation from the people. They have done in four days what we thought would take them over a month. Shiites love the Americans and want them stay to help the Iraqi security stand on its feet he said. He also told me the street knows that Iran is no great friend of Iraq. Reading the PM, Al-Maliki, order the soldiers to respect the rights of the individual is still amazing to me. What large difference from just four short years ago. I am not worried about my family from the security forces; I am only worried about them from the terrorist. Before we liberated Iraq the security force were who worried me. This is the same sentiment my family has in Baghdad and Nejef. They now trust and look to the security forces for help. What a turn around, and all squarely due to our training of these new Iraqis and the Iraqi’s willingness to learn and serve. There have been problems with some of the security personnel and most of those are being and have been addressed, as is evident from the PM’s directive of nondiscrimination and no favoritism. The support of the average citizen in Baghdad for this operation is nothing short of remarkable. Of course, this only comes if the citizens feel safe tipping off the Iraqi security forces. This also shows that the terrorists are loosing much of their support base in Iraq.

Regards
Haider Ajina
McKinleyville