Tomb Attack Stokes Sectarian Conflicts

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Political Crack Getting Bigger in Bagdat

Political Crack Getting Bigger in Bagdat
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Friday, March 03, 2006
zaman.com


An emerging political crisis in Iraq is that the country is on the edge of a civil war due to conflict between Shiites and Sunnis.

Iraqi Kurdish, Shiite and Sunni parties announced their opposition to Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a second time candidate to the office nominated by The Shiite United Iraqi Alliance.

Kurdish Deputy Mahmoud Osman does not believe al-Jaafari is neutral; "Kurdish and Sunni groups think al-Jaafari is not the right person, they cannot establish a government with him."

Osman said they will ask the Shiite Alliance to change their candidate. "The Prime minister should be someone who is accepted by everyone. Kurd and Sunni parties have decided to meet with Shiites once more in a few days time."

An Islamic Party member Ala Maki said they are not against al-Jaafari, but his performance falls short of expectations. As he cannot manage the security issue successfully he should leave his position to someone else.

Al-Jaafari cancelled a meeting with top level political leaders to negotiate ways to suppress the sectarian violence spreading across Iraq.

The reason for the cancellation was not explained, though the prime minister is reportedly fed up with Kurdish and Sunni politicians, who urge him to renounce his position.

Al-Jaafari was elected to the candidacy of prime minister by just a one vote lead in internal elections of the Shiite Alliance.

The cancelled meeting nevertheless took place late that night, in which the decision to continue trials to establish a National Unity government was taken.

The crack in the Iraqi administration was revealed following al-Jaafari's Ankara visit which Iraqi President Jalal Talabani claimed goes against the Iraqi constitution, defending al-Jaafari has no right to negotiate with foreign countries.

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Al-Jaafari: Turkey's Persuasion Calmed Conflicts

Al-Jaafari: Turkey's Persuasion Calmed Conflicts
By Suleyman Kurt, Erdal Sen, Ankara
Published: Thursday, March 02, 2006
zaman.com


Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari completed his two-day visit to Turkish capital Ankara that drew heat from Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and returned home Wednesday.

Before leaving al-Jaafari offered his assessment on President Jalal Talabani's strong reaction to the official visit, calling his Turkey visit "legal". "It does not interest me what the other side thinks," he added. Observers say Talabani showed such a response in order to exhaust the prime minister and increase restricted authorizations of the presidency.

Details of al-Jaafari's meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are starting to be disclosed. Reportedly, the Iraqi prime minister mentioned the importance of the active effort made by Ankara for Sunnis to participate in the latest general elections. "If you had not convinced the Sunnis, the extent of the conflict recently started would have been much greater." The Iraqi PM added the violence in Iraq did not turn into a sectarian clash thanks to Sunni participation to the elections, and he is appreciative of Turkey’s efforts in this direction. The significance of this initiative is better understood these days now that Turkey's efforts are proving fruitful.

To Talabani's criticism that "Al-Jaafari cannot conduct his visit to Turkey without informing the administration; any agreements he may sign will not bind Iraq” the Iraqi Prime Minister responded, "Relationships between these two countries are made stronger by this visit. This is a legal, a legitimate visit. We are happy with the results of the visit. What the other side thinks does not interest me as I do not find my actions wrong, but I respect his view."

Talabani's harsh retort to al-Jaafari's visit was deemed “an unimportant reaction” by officials in Ankara. Observers think that Talabani's response stems from his concern over domestic policies. Al-Jaafari is an elected prime minister who was victorious in elections, said monitors, taking a careless attitude towards Talabani's statement that the contracts would be void. The Iraqi President actually intends his moves to hinder al-Jaafari, as Talabani shares an almost identical path in the past with a party that came second in the elections. The Kurds are lending their support to Adil Abdelmahdi with the intent to damage al-Jaafari's reputation; however, Abdelmahdi fell short of expectations when he was designated as prime minister instead of al-Jaafari. The Kurds are trying to portray Moqtada al-Sadr as a terrorist, a Shiite leader that is scheduled to visit Turkey soon; however, there is the possibility of al-Sadr competing against the prime minister in the parliamentary vote of confidence. "The Kurds demand that the president, currently a symbolic senior state official, should have more power or the presidential system ought to be adopted. In doing so, they preferred to resort to damaging the reputation of the Prime Minister," monitors say.


The Iraqi Prime Minister garnered such support because he tended to share a similar approach to the resolution of certain problems with Ankara, aside from the fact that he was the likeliest prime minister designate. The Kurds regard the proximity of Turkey to Sunnis, a religious faction in Iraq that the Turkish government persuaded to turn out in the elections, as a cause for concern; however, the Turkish government stressed that every faction in Iraq is equal to Ankara.


The al-Jaafari led cabinet of ministers had talks with their counterparts in Ankara over future projects such as Iraq’s new infrastructure, a new web of highways, a number of new airports, and restoring old damaged buildings. The talks also included the implied guarantee that Turkish builders will get priority over contractors from other nations.

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As Sectarian Conflict Neglected, Solutions Fade in Iraq

As Sectarian Conflict Neglected, Solutions Fade in Iraq
By Cumali Onal, Cairo
Published: Sunday, March 05, 2006
zaman.com


Iraq, at the brink of a sectarian and ethnic civil war, has surpassed the Palestinian issue, making it the most important matter of the Islamic World.

As Arab Leaders organize frequent meetings, Arab experts are evaluating the situation. Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS), the leading think-tank foundation in Egypt, is one of the foundations which focuses on the Iraqi issue. Abdel Monem Said Ali, the director of the center, said the problems in Iraq can only be solved once they are defined properly. Said Ali said the claim that Sunnis and Shiites are brothers is not a reflection of real life and added no one should run away from the sectarian problem in Iraq, the main crisis of the country. The Egyptian director said: “Everybody in Iraq says ‘We –Sunnis and Shiites- are brothers.’ But neglecting the problem toughens the possibility of finding a solution. In reality Sunnis and Shiites kill each other.” Said Ali noted the ultimate way to provide Iraq with unity is providing justice among all religion, sect and ethnic groups in Iraq and melting them in a pot of Democracy.


Said Ali stated that the US, Iraq’s neighbors, and the Iraqi groups have made great mistakes on the present situation in Iraq: “The US made serious planning mistakes, both before and after the war, and could not manage the crisis. Today, it is still making significant political mistakes. Iraq’s neighbors did not help to reconstruct Iraq. They stood away from Iraq. The Iraqi groups served their own interests. Kurds always kept their idea of independence fresh. Shiites acted heedlessly since they are the largest group. Sunnites, excluded from the political process since the beginning, were driven into an anti-regime clash, and terrorist organizations gained strength among Sunnites.”

Stressing that using religion in politics is one of the main causes of today’s civil war, which is overlooked by the US, Said Ali said that a sectarian clash has become evident and a resolution must be made accordingly: “Some marginal Sunni groups say Shiites should be killed. They showed this with their attack on the tomb in Samarra. There are also some among Shiites who say Abu Hanifa Mosque should be blown up. There is intense tension and hatred between the two communities. Firstly, we should forget the statement “Sunnite or Shiite, we are Muslims; we have no disagreement.” We should accept that such a problem exists; because this the reality.”

Said, expressing there is no need to fear discussing the existence of the problem, illustrates Great Britain as an example and says: “Great Britain is formed by four nations: English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish. However, these people came together accepting the fact that they are four different nations and each was granted their own rights. Belgium, France, Indonesia and Canada formed similar unities, then why can Iraq not? Why can Iraq not achieve to unite when Europe did despite a bloody history of religious wars?”

Said Ali underlines Iran has a key role in Iraq now and the US cannot analyze Iran very well, similar to its other mistaken accounts in the past. According to Said Ali, Iran is entirely involved in the developments in Iraq, putting the relations in Iraq into a mess. Said Ali highlights that US domestic policy hinders the handling of the developments in Iraq and the decision for a new policy.

The Egyptian expert states Iran under the rule of Ahmedinajad may want to be dominant in the region but it is very difficult to achieve this with an authoritarian and totalitarian regime and he defends Iran is very weak in its internal affairs. Said defended Iran’s isolated economy that is entirely dependent on oil is not powerful. He mentions Iran’s using terror or religious fanaticism as a weapon will have reversed repercussions and stresses the Islamic world is formed by a majority of Sunnis.

Ali said that there are four sides to the American policies in the region – namely, the Turkish, Egyptian, Saudi Arabian and Israeli sides. The United States would not offer permanent strategic cooperation to any one of those four countries because the strategies can easily change, Said Ali reckoned. The Egyptian expert abstained from regarding it likely that the United States will launch a military operation against Iran in the near future: “It [the United States administration] can instead use such devices as trade embargo, political isolation and psychological war against the country in question. I do not think that the administration in the United States will ever wage a war against Iran in the five years. It is not, of course, certain what will happen in the medium or long term.”


Said Ali is head of the Al-Ahram Strategic Research Center. He does not think it is likely that a war will ever break out in the short and long term between Israel and the Arab countries. He also thinks that the Palestinian question has acquired an international dimension now. There is not a war between Syria and Israel on the horizon, Said Ali added. If a peaceful solution is not brought up, new instances of such movements as the Intifada are likely occur in the near future, he told, and added that it should take Egypt another 10 years to have a full democratization process.

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Iraqi Interior Ministry Commandos Attack Sunni Mosques, 3 Killed

Iraqi Interior Ministry Commandos Attack Sunni Mosques, 3 Killed
By Cihan News Agency, Bagdat (Baghdad)
Published: Sunday, March 05, 2006
zaman.com


Reportedly, the commanders of the Iraq Interior Ministry, attacked a Sunni mosque in Iraqi capital Bagdat (Baghdad). Three people including one imam were killed and seven others were injured in the 25 minute long attack.

The Police official Maytham Abderrezak announced the imam and his son were killed during the unknown attacks. Abderrezak noting the commandos attacked Al Nur Mosque in Bagdat’s (Baghdad) Jihad street, and fought with mosque securities, stated the area was cordoned by the US forces.


Eyewitnesses said US helicopters flew over mosques, and later US forces entered the mosque to carry the dead and wounded out.

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Death Toll in Iraq Attacks Today Reaches 13

Death Toll in Iraq Attacks Today Reaches 13
By Cihan News Agency, Bagdat (Baghdad)
Published: Monday, March 06, 2006
zaman.com


Sixty-five kilometers north of the Iraqi capital Bagdat (Baghdad), a car bomb attack conducted in a market today killed six people, including two children, and injured 20 others.

Police were targeted in the attack it has been told.

Most of the wounded were women and children, and five police officers were also reported to be among the injured.

Three people in Bakuba lost their lives in another attack earlier today.

Bomb attacks in the capital killed at least four people today.

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'US-British Troops to Withdraw from Iraq in 2007'

'US-British Troops to Withdraw from Iraq in 2007'
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Monday, March 06, 2006
zaman.com


British newspapers reported yesterday (on Sunday) that the US military might end its three-year occupation of Iraq in 2007.

The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Mirror quoted British Defense Ministry officials informing that the US administration and its biggest ally in the occupation, Britain, agreed the presence of foreign forces in Iraq presents a major drawback to the efforts to guarantee peace in the country.


As there is a deterrent lack of international support for the war on Iraq, all 24 coalition countries would be pleased with a decision to withdraw their military forces from Iraq, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

The possible outbreak of a civil war in Iraq would, however, lead to the suspension of a withdrawal, the newspaper acknowledged.


Such news reports were strongly denied by Lieutenant Col. Barry Johnson, an American military official, who said a possible pullout was not yet scheduled.


"We were assured that the US military would maintain its presence here as long as we want it to," said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.


American troops in Iraq number 135,000 and British forces around 8,500.

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Sniper kills Iraqi army general

Sniper kills Iraqi army general

A senior Iraqi army general has been shot dead in western Baghdad, police sources have said.
Major General Mibdir Hatim al-Dulaimi was killed by a sniper while driving through the Gazaliya area of the city at about 1700 (1400 GMT).

Maj Gen Dulaimi is thought to have been responsible for security for part of the Iraqi capital.

He is also believed to be the most senior Iraqi officer to be killed since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Parliament session

It comes amid increased sectarian strife, triggered by a bomb attack on an important Shia shrine in Samarra on 22 February.

More than 400 people have died in violence since then, including several people in a wave of car bomb attacks in and around Baghdad on Monday.

The Iraqi government has imposed curfews and appealed to religious leaders to call for calm in sermons.

President Jalal Talabani has announced that parliament will sit for the first time on Sunday, starting the process for selecting new leaders.

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23 bodies found in Baghdad

23 bodies found in Baghdad

Staff and agencies
Wednesday March 8, 2006


At least 23 bodies showing signs of having been hanged or shot were today found dumped in parts of Baghdad, Iraqi police said.
Eighteen of the bodies were found in an abandoned minibus in western Baghdad by a US military patrol, the Associated Press agency quoted Iraqi police as saying.

The victims, all men, had been handcuffed and blindfolded and then hanged or shot, Lieutenant Maitham Abdul-Razzaq said. At least two of the bodies appeared to be of foreign Arabs, he said.

The bus containing the bodies was found on the road between Amariya and Khadra, two mostly Sunni Muslim districts in one of Baghdad's most dangerous sections, the police lieutenant said.

The find follows a surge of sectarian violence unleashed by the February 22 bombing of a Shia shrine in the central city of Samarra, which prompted reprisal attacks against Sunni mosques and clerics.

The Iraqi defence ministry said today sectarian killing had diminished in recent days but other attacks had increased.

The bodies found today in the bus were taken to the city's Yarmouk hospital, where Dr Mohanad Jawad confirmed that two of the victims had been fatally shot and the rest hanged. The deaths appeared recent, he said.

Iraqi police said they were investigating the deaths.

Police found the bodies of four more men in an open field in Baladiyat, a mixed Sunni-Shia neighbourhood in east Baghdad.

The victims had been handcuffed and hanged, police Captain Mahir Hamad Moussa said, noting the rope marks on their necks.

Another body, shot in the head, was found near a shop in the eastern suburb of Kamaliya, which has also suffered repeated attacks.

Sixteen people were killed in attacks yesterday, and the US ambassador to Baghdad conceded in an interview that the Iraq invasion had opened a "Pandora's box" of sectarian conflicts that could lead to a regional war.

Zalmay Khalilzad told the Los Angeles Times the rise of extremists in Iraq could "make Taliban Afghanistan look like child's play".

Meanwhile, an opinion poll published by the Washington Post and ABC News yesterday suggested that most Americans agree with Mr Khalilzad, with 80% saying civil war in Iraq was likely and more than a third that it was very likely.

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Bagdat Bomb Explosions Kill 9

Bagdat Bomb Explosions Kill 9
By Cihan News Agency, Bagdat (Baghdad)
Published: Thursday, March 09, 2006
zaman.com


In a series of two different bomb attacks against a military check point in Iraq at least nine civilians died and nine others were wounded.

Police officials announced the bomb detonated along a roadside in the Sunni district of Amariya in west of Bagdat (Baghdad), targeted Iraqi soldiers.

Nine pedestrians died and six were left wounded.

In the other attack carried out in the Sunni region Jihad Street, three people were wounded.

An additional three large explosions were reported in Baghdad, yet no official statement has been announced so far.

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Iraq hangs 13 for insurgency role

Iraq hangs 13 for insurgency role

The Iraqi authorities have hanged 13 people accused of taking part in the insurgency, the first execution of militants since the US-led invasion.
"The competent authorities have today carried out the death sentences of 13 terrorists," a cabinet statement said.

The name of only one of those executed was released. Shuqair Farid, a former policeman, allegedly confessed he had enlisted Iraqis to carry out attacks.

Three convicted murderers were hanged last September.

The US-led coalition abolished the death penalty in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, but it was re-instated during the handover to Iraqi control in June 2004.

The Iraqi government wanted to give itself the option of executing the former president, who is currently on trial with seven others for the killing of 148 Shias from the village of Dujail in 1982.

New law

In October, the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly passed a new law which extended the use of the death penalty to include "those who commit... terror acts" and for "those who provoke, plan, finance and all those who enable terrorists to commit these crimes".

The assembly also approved a sentence of life imprisonment to "whoever intentionally conceals terrorist activity or gives shelter to a terrorist for the purpose of hiding him".

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is opposed to capital punishment and refused to sign the death warrants of those executed in September, instead authorising his deputies to do so.

The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says that, with more than 14,000 people currently in US coalition detention, it raises the possibility that there could be many more executions.