*IRAQ: latest news and developments

[infobomb]

Originally posted by stevendurrant
consumer135 mentions the supreme council for the islamic revolution.

I heard one of their guys on radio 4 this morning.

I cant help thinking they'll want a piece of any post Saddam Iraq pie if they assist in his downfall.

They are backed by Iran, an "axis of evil" country that already has militias moved into northen Iraq.

Are the US really counting on assistance from the kind of person who labels them "the great satan"?

This isnt to mention the complications of the Turks and the Kurds or the distinct possibility of a Shia / Sunni civil war.

What a sorry fucking mess, as predicted by just about everyone with a passing knowledge of the region.

Still, george and tony must know best.

Firstly - the Iranians would be very happy to see the back of Saddam Hussein - the man who said that Persians and Jews were a lower form of life than flies.

Secondly - the Iranian militia activity in Northern Iraq is fairly difficult to confirm. Rumsfeld spent rather a lot of time a couple of weeks ago saying that there were Al-Qaeda cells operating in Northern Iraq, and couldn't make up his mind whether Iran or Iraq should be accused of supporting them.

Thirdly - the couple of missiles that the Yanks have launched into Iranian territory are an obvious shot across Iranian bows, and it is unlikely that the Iranians will insert regular troops into the region.

And finally - the SCIRI is not the biggest Shi'i party in Iraq. The Da'wa party is a lot more substantial, and a lot less wedded to the mujtahids in Iran.

 

[grubby local]

just been mailed this. very intersting read. sorry if been posted before.

Live From Iraq, an Un-Embedded Journalist: Robert Fisk on Washington’s ‘Quagmire’ in Iraq, Civilian Deaths and the Fallacy of Bush’s ‘War of Liberation’ (Tuesday, March 25)

http://www.democracynow.org/fisk.htm

gx

 

[Kaka Tim]

BBC Website s flashing up -

'three huge explosions have rocked central baghdad'

no other details yet.

 

[Jingo Daigoji]

Iraqi Ambassador to UN in an open session of the SC has informed the council of thousands of Iraqis killed, as well as many thousands more injured. Further he went onto clarify the situation in Basra water, and power supplies which have been destroyed by bombings, and have brought about water shortages, and sanitation problems due to lack of sewerage. He also added that the current colonial expansionism of US supported by UK is in fact destroying the international community.

 

[the scouser]

: Iraqis launch rocket attack against US marines south of Nasiriya, injuring 20.


Thought nasiriya had 'fallen', hmmm, bullshit detector alert

 

[Jingo Daigoji]

Keep an eye on the Iraqi money in UN!!!!

The most accurate and up to date sums involved, is $129,000 million, which has been the proceeds of the sales of Iraqi oil, and the money then is spent under the directions of the sanctions committee, on the products that could be imported by Iraq. Currently the 40 thieves en route to Baghdad, are trying their damnedest hardest to relieve the burgeoning account from its money, however French and Russians are not playing ball!

So in coming days the idea of getting humanitarian aid into Iraq is going to be played out for the morons, who have no idea about the great account robbery, getting all hetup about the inhumanity of the Froggies, and Roosskies.

It is worth noting that humanitarian aid does not mean spending the victims money, who is under attack for his/her other worldly goods, and resources!


Also just reported is the US paratroopers landing and seizing an airfield in the Kurdish held territories! This could turn out to be a significant departure form the current softly softly approach to Kurdish sensibilities so far!

 

[Griff]

Originally posted by Lock&Light
70 to 120 Iraqi military vehicles have left Basra and are heading south. The allies are reporting "successfully" attacking them. No-one is sure what the Iraqi intentions are.

Edit: Just on BBC News

Saw that on the news and the British commanders' reactions were that it was suicidal.

Now didn't the Iraqis make a similar mistake in '91 on the Bazra Road? Why leave Baghdad?

This sounds ominous or stupid to me. At the moment I don't suspect the Iraqis of being stupid.

 

[the scouser]

Aid given out to Iraqis, Red Cross got off sharply and left the crowd to help itself, a Brit Officer* said 'its a bit tense' after the gratefull Iraqis chant 'Saddam good, Bush No!' and took the food and water for themselves.

*(£204.17 a day wages after 1 yr commision for an officer in UK army, £207 a week for squaddy aged 17)

 

[Scaggs]

A US delegation arrived in Amman in its way to Baghdad for ceasefire negotiations



Abu Dhabi, Alittihad Daily, 3/26/2003 -- The UAE leading semi-official daily newspaper, Alittihad, reported today that a US government delegation has arrived in Amman, Jordan, yesterday in its way to Baghdad for negotiations with the Iraqi government about an immediate ceasefire.

A diplomatic source told Alittihad that the US government delegation included four leading members of Congress as well as Elizabeth Cheney, the daughter of the US Vice President Dick Cheney, representing the US Department of State, where she works as an Assistant to the Deputy of the Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News arc...r ceasefire negotiations aljazeerah.info.htm

Could this be true?

 

[Louloubelle]

depressing morning stuff via Sky News

unnamed US official - war could last for months
US General - Iraq has executed US POWs

 

[jaded_youth]

The details of the 'large armoured column' are now becoming muddy. In conflict to the initial report of 120 vehicles this morning the number quoted was significantly reduced. Only 4-5 vehicles actually destroyed ... the others scattered.

More mines have also been found in the dock of Umm Qasr further delaying humanitarian aid. Third or fourth time this port has been 'clear' thus far.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/world/2003/reporters_log/default.stm

 

[Griff]

Originally posted by Louloubelle

US General - Iraq has executed US POWs

Any decent links on that? Saw it on the front page of the Sun this morning on the tube.

 

[Idris2002]

Kuwaiti Red Crescent says first attempts at distribution have been a disaster:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2891069.stm

 

[jaded_youth]

Major friendly fire incident wounds 37 US marines. Essentailly 2 US military units were sent to intercept/engage hostile iraq troops but ended up shooting at each other. Rambo-rama killing me .... rambo-rama killing you.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2890523.stm

 

[Griff]

This has just been announced on the radio, but the only link I can find is the Evening Standard:

Standard

 

[Louloubelle]

Originally posted by Griff
Any decent links on that? Saw it on the front page of the Sun this morning on the tube.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,6195981%5E25777,00.html

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/3/19/224628.shtml

 

[Dr. Christmas]

Whilst the execution of disarmed and defenceless POWs is a sickening tragedy, the reality is that there is pitifully little evidence of Saddams WOMD to date.

All we have is a now discredited claim by an Israeli journalist that a 'factory' had been found and precious little else.

Has anyone else noticed that the issue of WOMD has quietly faded from the headlines since the start of the campaign? Talk of regime change now dominates all media briefings. There has been no uncovering of WOMD.

Chemical suits and gas drills in Kuwait are a nice camoflague to cover the pitifully thin tissuie of lies that have been used to 'justify' this criminal aggression. Servicemen have died for a basic untruth, and their blood is on the hands of the ignorant warmonger across the water, and his 'Christian, moral' patsy at westminster.

 

[TopCat]

Whilst I have sympathy for your view, can we keep this thread to reports please?

 

[Lock&Light]

Originally posted by TopCat
Whilst I have sympathy for your view, can we keep this thread to reports please?

I wish to add my please, to that. There are already enough threads and the ability to start new ones. Why not leave this one for those who want to hear LATEST news and LATEST developments?

 

[Dr. Christmas]

sorry, guys. I didnt realise this was a latest thread. I'll bugger off.

 

[Lock&Light]

Originally posted by Dr. Christmas
sorry, guys. I didnt realise this was a latest thread. I'll bugger off.

Don't bugger off. there are plenty of threads you can add your opinions to. Occasionally you might also have some news to pass on.

 

[Griff]

US General is now saying it was a 'stray' Iraqi missile which hit the market yesterday, as bombers were on a mission elsewhere.

 

[the scouser]

BBC, just reported up to '500 people massacred*' in a village by Iraqi Army, apparentely tribesmen.

Keep an eye on this one, i smell bullshit. Everyday has had its BIG story from allied forces, which 'fades' the next day when the next 'big' find is aired on CNN.

* spelling mistake, corrected.

 

[Lock&Light]

Originally posted by the scouser
BBC, just reported up to '500 people masscared' in a village by Iraqi Army, apparentely tribesmen.

Keep an eye on this one, i smell bullshit. Everyday has had its BIG story form allied forces.

Also just reported. By the Iraqis. "Saddam Hussein is in total control of the whole country". Not.

 

[Calva dosser]

Originally posted by the scouser
BBC, just reported up to '500 people masscared' in a village by Iraqi Army, apparentely tribesmen.


Yeah, Republican Guard make-over squad

 

[the scouser]

30,000 more US troops to be sent over to Iraq.

 

[Dr. Christmas]

So that's all right, then...

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_765104.html?menu=

Americans deny bombing Iraqi marketplace

 

[infobomb]

Originally posted by the scouser
BBC, just reported up to '500 people massacred*' in a village by Iraqi Army, apparentely tribesmen.

Keep an eye on this one, i smell bullshit. Everyday has had its BIG story from allied forces, which 'fades' the next day when the next 'big' find is aired on CNN.

* spelling mistake, corrected.

This claim was made by the PUK, the largest of the Kurdish opposition groups.

It may or may not be bullshit, but be careful who you're accusing of fibbing - it's important.

 

[bigfish]

It may or may not be bullshit, but be careful who you're accusing of fibbing - it's important.

I agree, it is important to be careful of who one accuses of fibbing, but you are guilty of a major error of judgement if you think the BBC aren't just as capable of dissembling the truth. In many respects they are much better.

 

[bigfish]

Americans deny bombing Iraqi marketplace

The un-embedded world renouned journalist Robert Frisk was on the spot within minutes of this barbaric attack. His Independent front page description of the carnage INFLICTED BY AMERICAN JETS makes disturbing reading.

http://argument.independent.co.uk/commentators/story.jsp?story=391165