December 22nd Update2 News In English From Aswat Al Iraq Together With Peace Takes Courage

Aswat al Iraq: Iraq-Security (Highlights) 2 Security developments in Iraq Baghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) – Main security developments in Iraq on Thursday:Baaquba – The Baaquba public hospital received 20 bodies that had been found in different parts of the city, a medical source in the Diala health department said.Iraq-Security (Highlights) 2Security developments in IraqBaghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) – Main security developments in Iraq on Thursday: Baaquba – The Baaquba public hospital received 20 bodies that had been found in different parts of the city, a medical source in the Diala health department said. Baghdad – Iraqi and Multi-National forces killed seven gunmen and arrested three in Jebinat near Baaquba in operations in which an Iraqi soldier was killed and seven others were wounded. Hit – A land mine planted by gunmen exploded at a U.S armored vehicle east of Hit town in Anbar province, destroying it, eyewitnesses said. Mosul – An employee was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in southwestern Mosul, while an unidentified body was found in the north part of the town. Kirkuk – Telecommunications between Kirkuk and Mosul were cut due to sabotage on telephone lines between the two northern Iraqi cities, an official source in Kirkuk telecommunication department said. Karbalaa –Two gunmen shot dead an ex-member of the now-dissolved Baath party in central Karbalaa, eyewitnesses said. Kirkuk – A security official in Kurdistan Democratic Party was wounded when an explosive device went off at his motorcade in southern Kirkuk, a security source said. Baghdad- One person was killed and two others wounded when a home-made bomb exploded south of Baghdad, witnesses said. Ramadi – U.S. troops killed two people in the western city of Ramadi as a siege continued on the western district of Theela. Moqdadiya – Two bodyguards of the deputy governor of Diala province were killed during an armed attack in central Moqdadiya, northeast of Baaquba. Mosul – Two civilians were wounded when an explosive charge blew up at a U.S. army patrol southwest of Mosul while gunmen in a car killed a civilian west of the city. Amara – A former member of the dissolved Baath party was killed by gunmen in central Amara, witnesses said. Peace Takes Courage: It's one week before Christmas. 2,948 American families will be missing a family member this Christmas due to this immoral war in Iraq. According to a recent study it is estimated that around 650,000 Iraqis have also died since the war begin. This Christmas we need to all take time out of our busy holiday schedules to think about those who have been killed in the Iraq war. It is up to us to make sure that this coming year brings many changes to help get our country back on track. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ - who taught love, compassion, understanding, and most of all PEACE. Let this holiday remind us that peace is a possible goal and that we have much work to do in order to achieve it. 6 Comments Posted on 18 Dec 2006 by Ava She has the windows media player file here or you can watch it on youtube. Or you can watch it here: I have a lot of respect for her - she is very brave. Site News: I will not be able to make any postings today. I think Sabah is due to make the posting but I haven't been able to contact him to confirm. Erdla

December 21st Update2 News In English From Aswat Al Iraq Together With Various Agency Reports

Joint statement : Iraqi Red Crescent abduction: 21-12-2006 Press Release 06/145 Joint statement : Iraqi Red Crescent abduction On Sunday 17 December a number of Iraqi Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers and other persons were abducted from one of the Society's offices in Baghdad. As of today, some have been released, but many are still being held. We are appealing for their immediate and unconditional release. Iraqi Red Crescent staff are helping all Iraqis countrywide with humanity and impartiality. They are performing their humanitarian duties in dangerous circumstances and often pay a very high price for their commitment. Iraqi Red Crescent staff are entitled to full protection under international humanitarian law and they deserve our respect and support because of their work in support of the many Iraqis in dire need of help. We strongly reaffirm our support for and solidarity with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in these trying times. We call on those who are holding the Iraqi Red Crescent staff members and other persons abducted on 17 December to respect their lives and dignity and to release them unharmed, immediately and unconditionally. Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Main security developments in Iraq on Wednesday (Part 2) : Aswat al Iraq: Iraq-Security (Highlights) 2 Security developments in Iraq Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Main security developments in Iraq on Wednesday: Baghdad - Four civilians were wounded in two car bomb explosions in southwestern and southeastern Baghdad, Iraqi police sources said. Kirkuk - A car bomb exploded at an Iraqi army checkpoint southwest of Kirkuk, killing one soldier and wounding four others, a police source said. Baghdad - Unidentified gunmen assassinated the Assistant Dean of the faculty of law in Mostanseriya University in eastern Baghdad, a police source said. Baghdad - The Multi-National forces in Iraq said they captured three suspects who were attempting to set up a mortar tube and firing point east of al-Qasim near Hilla town in Babel province. Falluja - U.S. forces lifted blockade over the village of al-Naimiya, south of Falluja, after two days of siege, an official source in Falluja provincial council said. Baiji - Two people, one of them a police officer, were killed and three civilians wounded in a car bomb explosion in central Baiji town, Salah Eddin province. Falluja - Saqlawiya police station used by U.S. forces in the restive town of Falluja as a military base came under a heavy mortar attack, without causing any casualties, a police source said. Iraq-Security (Highlights) :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq: Security developments in Iraq Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Main security developments in Iraq on Thursday: Baghdad - A suicide bomber blew himself up at dawn amidst a group of recruits outside Baghdad police academy killing ten people and wounding 15 others, a security source said. Kirkuk - Police chief of al-Adala town, south of Kirkuk, survived a roadside bomb explosion at his motorcade, while two of his bodyguards sustained minor injuries, a security source in Kirkuk said. Baghdad - Two U.S. soldiers were killed in military operation in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, the U.S. army in Iraq said. raises the U.S. casualty toll in Iraq during the last 48 hours to four dead and six wounded. Basra - Four gunmen were wounded in two separate clashes with British patrols in the southern Iraqi city of Basra while all British bases around the city came under attack, the spokesman for the Multi-National forces in the south said on Thursday. Mosul - An explosive charge went off at a U.S. patrol in southeastern Mosul, but it was not immediately clear if it caused any casualties or damage, an official source in Ninawa police operations room said. Tikrit - Unidentified attackers killed a police lieutenant colonel north of Tikrit, a source in Salah Eddin police force said. Reuters AlertNet - FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 21: Dec 21 (Reuters) - Following are security and other developments in Iraq as of 1130 GMT on Thursday: * indicates new or updated item. * BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb targeting a U.S. military patrol wounded a civilian in Adhamiya district in northern Baghdad, police said. * MOSUL - A roadside bomb targeting a U.S. military patrol wounded two civilians in Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. * MOSUL - Gunmen killed a man in mosul, police said. * MOSUL - The body of a man was found shot dead in Mosul on Wednesday, police said. BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomb killed two people and wounded two others in Amil district in southwestern Baghdad, police said. KIRKUK - Two policemen were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near the convoy of police Colonel Adnan Mohammed in Kirkuk, police said. BAGHDAD - Iraqi soldiers killed 12 insurgents and arrested 56 others over the past 24 hours in different parts of Iraq, the Defence Ministry said. BAGHDAD - One U.S. soldier and a Marine have been killed in action in Iraq's western Anbar province, the U.S. military said in a statement. The military said the soldier died on Tuesday while the Marine was killed on Thursday. BAGHDAD - One U.S. soldier was killed and three were wounded when a roadside bomb hit a patrol south of Baghdad on Wednesday, the military said in a statement. BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people and wounded 15 when he blew himself up at a police recruitment centre in eastern Baghdad, police sources said. NEAR KIRKUK - A suicide car bomber rammed his car into an Iraqi army checkpoint, killing one soldier and wounding four on Wednesday in a town near Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. KIRKUK - Gunmen killed a man and his wife on Wednesday in Kirkuk, police said. RAMADI - Several mortars landed near a police station wounding three women on Wednesday in the restive city of Ramadi, 110 km (68 miles) west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. RAMADI - One woman was killed when two rockets hit a police station in Ramadi on Tuesday, the U.S. military said, adding that a man, a woman and a 12-year-old child were also wounded. TIKRIT - Gunmen killed police Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Saleh on Wednesday in Tikrit, 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. McClatchy Washington Bureau | 12/20/2006 | Roundup of violence in Iraq - 20 December: Roundup of violence in Iraq - 20 December By Laith Hammoudi McClatchy Newspapers The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Laith Hammoudi in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It's posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy's Washington Bureau. Baghdad . According to the Ministry of Interior operation room -- 11 people were killed including 6 commandos and 30 injured including 9 commandos when a suicide car bomb attacked a commandos checkpoint near Baghdad University in Jadriya neighborhood downtown Baghdad at 7:15 am today. -- 4 civilians were killed and other 7 injured in a parked car bomb explosion near the Identity directorate building in Al Kasra neighborhood, a part of Adhamiyah neighborhood downtown Baghdad. -- Anonymous insurgents assassinated early today Mahmood Mohammed Rasheed, the brother of the famous comic actor Zuhair Mohammed Rasheed. Moahmood Rasheed who was a teacher was assassinated near the Al Hikma school where he works in Al Baladiyat neighborhood east of Baghdad. Mohamood is a Palestinian citizen. -- 4 civilians were injured in two car bomb explosions. Two were wounded in a parked car bomb explosion near Al Baiyaa court in Al Baiyaa neighborhood south of Baghdad. The other two were injured in another car bomb parked near the farmers association in Al Riyadh neighborhood eastern Baghdad. -- 76 anonymous bodies were found in Baghdad today. 63 were found in the west part of Baghdad ( Karkh) and only 13 found in the east part of Baghdad (Rusafa) Diyala province -- A governmental source in Baladrooz town east of Baqouba city (60 kms north of Baghdad) said that 2 civilians were killed and 8 were injured when an insurgents group from Dainiya neighborhood targeted civilians in Shakori village in the same town early morning today. -- A police source in Baladrooz city said that the explosions experts defused two IEDs which were laid near the shops of two Kurdish businessmen. -- A military official in the 5th division of the Iraqi army said that a soldier was killed and 3 others were wounded when a group of more than 30 insurgents attacked early morning today a military checkpoint in Abo Al Nakhal district in Khalis city north of Baqouba city. The source confirmed that 5 insurgents were killed. Karbala -- the police chief of Karbalaa, Abo Al Waleed, announced today that Karbala police members had captured two leaders of Ansar Al Sunna army who are accused of committing many crimes of killing and robbery. Abo Al Waleed said that the two men were captured after having intelligence information confirmed that they entered the city planning to commit terrorists actions. Twenty bodies found in Baaquba : Aswat al Iraq: Baaquba-Bodies Twenty bodies found in Baaquba By Assem Taha Baaquba, Dec 21, (VOI) - The Baaquba public hospital on Thursday received 20 bodies that had been found in different parts of the city, a medical source in the Diala health department said. "The forensic division at Baaquba public hospital received 20 unidentified bodies of people who had been killed by gunshots," the source, who declined to be identified, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Some of the bodies had been blindfolded and hand-cuffed, he added. Baaquba lies 60 km north of Baghdad. Talabani discusses security plans in Iraq with visiting U.S. defense secretary : Aswat al Iraq: Talabani-Gates Talabani discusses security plans in Iraq with visiting U.S. defense secretary Baghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) - Iraqi President Jalal al-Talabani discussed with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates proposals for developing Baghdad security plans, a presidential statement said on Thursday. Talabani discussed with Gates on Wednesday "bilateral relations and ways of combating terrorism in Iraq," read the statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Gates praised Talabani's ideas and promised to take them into consideration when evaluating the situation in Iraq, the statement added. Gates has arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday on a previously unannounced visit, his first to Iraq after he was sworn in as defense secretary replacing Donald Rumsfeld. On Wednesday, U.S. president George Bush said he would weigh all options regarding Iraq including sending more troops there. Bush told a news conference in Washington that he did not make up his mind yet about sending more troops to Iraq, but he was studying all options. Two U.S. soldiers killed in Anbar : Aswat al Iraq: Two U.S. soldiers killed in Anbar Baghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) - Two U.S. soldiers were killed in military operation in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, the U.S. army in Iraq said on Thursday. This raises the U.S. casualty toll in Iraq during the last 48 hours to four dead and six wounded. "One soldier assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died Tuesday and one Marine assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division died today from wounds sustained due to… action while operating in Al Anbar Province," the army said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). The army said in a statement last night that one of its soldiers was killed in south Baghdad when a bomb went off near his patrol, while four other soldiers were wounded in the blast. Another statement said that an improvised explosive device was detonated near a Multi-National Division -Baghdad patrol, killing one soldier and wounding four others southwest of the Iraqi capital on Wednesday. The latest deaths raise the U.S. official death toll in Iraq to 2,955 since the 2003 invasion, including 66 this month. Iraqi parliament convenes informally, still lacking quorum : Aswat al Iraq: Parliament-Quorum Iraqi parliament convenes informally, still lacking quorum By Adel Fakher Baghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) - Iraqi legislators will hold an informal meeting on Thursday to discuss political issues as it still lacks quorum, Deputy Speaker Khaled al-Attiya said. "It will be an open session with some members making statements. We will also discuss a number of issues," he told reporters. "It will not be a formal session…for lack of quorum," he added. Parliament has lacked quorum for some two weeks because a large number of members are traveling abroad. Members of the Sadrist bloc have also been boycotting the house. Earlier this month, the parliament decided to deduct 500,000 dinars (about $340) from the monthly allocations of legislators for each day of absence without a valid excuse. Each Iraqi parliamentarian gets a total of 17 million dinars monthly. The parliament also threatened to publish the names of the often-absent members in the media. Four gunmen wounded in clashes with British forces in Basra : Aswat al Iraq: Basra-British Four gunmen wounded in clashes with British forces in Basra By Malek Saadoun Basra, Dec 21, (VOI) - Four gunmen were wounded in two separate clashes with British patrols in the southern Iraqi city of Basra while all British bases around the city came under attack, Captain Tane Dunlop, the spokesman for the Multi-National forces in the south, said on Thursday. A British patrol "clashed last night with gunmen after an explosive charge went off at the patrol west of Basra and the clash resulted in wounding two gunmen," Dunlop told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by telephone. "Another clash occurred between British forces and gunmen near a British camp in al-Saii downtown district and two gunmen were also wounded in the clash," he added. Light weapons, hand grenades and RPG7 rockets were used in the clashes, he said, adding that there were no casualties among British forces. All British bases near Basra came under Katyusha attacks last night and this morning, he said. Suicide bomber kills 10, wounds 15 outside Baghdad police academy : Aswat al Iraq: Baghdad-Bombing Suicide bomber kills 10, wounds 15 outside Baghdad police academy By Adel Fakher Baghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) - A suicide bomber blew himself up at dawn on Thursday amidst a group of recruits outside Baghdad police academy killing ten people and wounding 15 others, a security source said. "A suicide attacker wearing an explosive belt this morning targeted a gathering of youth who wanted to join the police corps and were waiting outside the police academy in Palestine Street in eastern Baghdad," the interior ministry source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). "The suicide bomber stood in line among the would be recruits at the back gate of the academy then blew himself up, killing eight recruits and two police guards and wounding 15 other recruits," he added. Police and army recruitment centers have been a repeated target for bombing attacks in Baghdad and elsewhere. Iran occupied large area during Anfal operation, ex-defense minister tells court : Aswat al Iraq: Trial-Defendant Iran occupied large area during Anfal operation, ex-defense minister tells court By Kawther Abdul-Amir Baghdad, Dec 21, (VOI) - Iran had been occupying an area larger than Lebanon in Iraqi Kurdistan when the army of former president Saddam Hussein carried out the Anfal operation in which tens of thousands of Kurds were killed in 1988, ex-defense minister Sultan Hashim told an Iraqi tribunal on Thursday. The court is trying Saddam, Hashim and five others on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1988 campaign in Kurdistan. "Insurgents have been giving support for the Iranians…they had formed semi-regular forces comprising brigades, headquarters and commanders…," Hashim told the court. "I carried out a military operation in a specific area within a specific time frame… I hope it is taken into consideration that the military law punished those who did not carry out orders with death. I was carrying out my duty," he said, adding that he had been decorated after the operation. He asked chief judge Mohammed al-Uraibi al-Khalifa to bring military experts to explain military aspects. "It is strange that we have been referred to a civil court although we are soldiers. I demand that military experts are brought to explain our statements because it is illogical that soldiers should be tried by a civil court," he said. Prosecutor Monqez al-Feraun said fighting against Iranian occupation forces did not justify "the arrest and burying of children, men and women or the mass graves and the use of chemical weapons." The court adjourned the trial to January 8. In November, Saddam was sentenced to death in a separate trial after being convicted of ordering the killing of 148 people following an attempt on his life in 1982. Former PM says 'mafia groups' behind violence: Azzaman in English: Former PM says 'mafia groups' behind violence By Mundher al-Shawfi Azzaman, December 20, 2006 Former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari attributed the upsurge in violence in the country to activities by what he said were 'mafia groups' bent to destabilize the government. Jaafari denied the country was in a state of civil war or on the brink of a whole-scale sectarian strife. "Simply there are mafia groups which are behind most of the violence," he said. He said the current political rhetoric was void of references to sectarian differences because the authorities "are using patriotism as a basis for distinction." However, the Iraqi government itself is built on sectarian grounds with sects, religious denominations and ethnic minorities currently using their positions to steer ministries and armed forces to their advantage. Jaafari's bloc, the Dawaa Party, is part of the ruling coalition led by Shiite factions in partnership with Kurdish groups. "Iraq cannot coexist with sectarianism which permits the shedding of innocent Iraqi blood," he said. He said he was hopeful Iraqis will eventually resolve their differences through the reconciliation meetings the government is holding currently. Jaafari said former Baathists were welcome to take part in reconciliation talks. However, he said there was no place for what he described as "Saddamists". He did not elaborate. The former premier said neighboring countries should stop meddling in Iraqi affairs. "Their (interference) is exacerbating the problem," he added. However, he said Iraq needed its neighbors and it was essential for the government to establish good relations. Haafari said the presence of militias was a threat to stability and they should be disbanded. MIDDLE EAST: Weekly update of human rights violations in the region (14 Nov - 21 Dec 2006): DUBAI, 21 Dec 2006 (IRIN) - EGYPT: Bahais left without ID cards CAIRO, (IRIN) - Followers of the Bahai faith this week lost the right to openly state their religious identity on official documents, after a ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court. The case began in a lower court after the Civil Status Department of the Ministry of Interior confiscated ID cards and birth certificates from the family of Hossam Ezzat, a Bahai, on the grounds that their religious declaration was illegitimate. The lower court granted Bahais the right to enter their faith on official documents, a decision which the Ministry of Interior then appealed. Hossam Bahgat, of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, represented the Ezzat family in court. "The ruling now creates a problem for the government, because citizens must either live without an ID, or identify themselves as Muslim or Christian," he said. Egypt's Mufti, Alii Gomaa, has said that Bahais should declare themselves Muslim on official documentation. IRAQ: 32 journalists murdered in 2006 BAGHDAD, (IRIN) - The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Wednesday that 32 Iraqi journalists were killed in Iraq in 2006 due to spiralling violence in the country. "For the fourth consecutive year, Iraq was in a category of its own as the deadliest place for journalists," the CPJ said. "Murder now accounts for 61 percent of deaths in Iraq since the war began [in 2003]," it added. The international watchdog said four journalists died as a result of crossfire or acts of war this year; 28 were murdered and three were kidnapped and then slain. "The deaths in Iraq this year reflect the utter deterioration in reporters' traditional status as neutral observers in wartime," Joel Simon, CPJ Executive Director, said. "This is an extraordinarily alarming trend because along with the terrible loss of life, it is limiting news reporting in Iraq and, in turn, our own understanding of a vital story," Simon added. This year's killings brought to 92 the number of journalists who have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion of March 2003. In addition, 37 media support workers-interpreters, drivers, fixers and office workers-have been killed over the same period. JORDAN: Gov't closes notorious jail AMMAN, (IRIN) - The Jordanian government on Tuesday closed down a notorious prison after local and international human rights groups repeatedly claimed inmates at the detention facility were tortured and kept in dire conditions. The run-down Jafer prison lies on the edge of a desert, 250 km east of Amman. Human rights activists say inmates were vulnerable to extreme weather conditions - including high temperatures and blinding sand storms - and snakes, scorpions and other lethal insects were abundant in the facility. Human rights groups welcomed the closure saying they hoped the move would signal a shift in official policy on the treatment of prisoners. "This is a step in the right direction, but what we would like to see is an end to systematic torture at other prisons," said Abdul Karim Shreideh of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights. In an unrelated case, the military run state security court on Monday sentenced 74-year-old Mahmoud Said to one year in prison for distributing pamphlets that criticise the government. The street vendor from Irbid, 60 km north of Amman, distributed four leaflets before being apprehended by secret service agents, the court said. Said was sentenced initially to three years after the court found him guilty of provoking sectarianism and belonging to an illegal political party, Hezb al-Tahrir (Liberation Party). However, the court immediately commuted his sentence to a year "to give him a second chance in life". SYRIA: Kilo to be tried soon, says lawyer DAMASCUS, (IRIN) - The trial of Syrian rights activist and writer Michel Kilo will be held soon in a criminal court, his lawyer, Khalil Matouk, said on Tuesday. Kilo was detained in May for calling on Damascus to improve its relations with Lebanon and charges related to inciting sectarian division and engaging with foreign organisations - charges which carry a maximum jail term of three years. Earlier, the Court of Appeals rejected the appeal lodged by Kilo's lawyers and the appeal of activist Mahmoud Issa, who, along with Kilo, signed the Damascus-Beirut declaration calling on Syria to respect Lebanese sovereignty. Meanwhile, the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria said officials interrogated activist Faek al-Meer on 30 December on charges including violating the country's dignity, weakening the patriotic sentiment, jeopardising the country's security and stability, provoking disorder and turmoil, and spying for a hostile country. These charges followed his visit to Lebanon to mourn the death of Communist leader George Hawy, who was assassinated in Beirut in June 2005. Lebanese authorities claim that Damascus had a hand in Hawy's assassination. While waiting for a decision on his case, al-Meer has been detained in Adra al-Madany Prison. YEMEN: Jailed editor's appeal rejected SANA'A (IRIN) - The country's Court of Appeals on 18 December rejected the appeal of Kamal al-Ulefi, the editor-in-chief of al-Rai al-Aam weekly newspaper. On 25 November, he was sentenced to a year in prison and his newspaper was closed for six months. He was convicted of republishing the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, which were first published by a Danish newspaper. Also on 18 December, human rights activists, representatives of civil society organisations, journalists and lawyers staged a sit-in in front of the appeals court in the capital, Sana'a, in solidarity with Anesah al-Shu'ebi, who was allegedly tortured and raped at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Protestors demanded that Rizq al-Jawfi, head of CID, should be investigated in connection with the allegations. Meanwhile, a report by the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) criticised the Yemeni government for monopolising the Internet service, blocking several news websites, and reading private emails. "The political security forces and the Ministry of Interior routinely search homes and private offices, control phone calls and read emails. In addition, there is widespread interference in many other personal matters, all of which are alleged to be based on security intelligence. These practices are implemented without any legal orders being issued and they are done without judicial supervision," reads the report, entitled 'Implacable Adversaries: Arab Governments and the Internet'. jb/sm/mbh/dh/maj/ar/ed [ENDS] IRAQ: Salwa Muhammad, Iraq "This will be the last polio campaign of my life" [This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations] © Afif Sarhan/IRIN Salwa Muhammad gives a child polio drops. BAGHDAD, 21 Dec 2006 (IRIN) - "I am a 32-year-old Iraqi widow with three children. Seven years ago I started working with UNICEF [the UN Children's Agency], giving anti-polio vaccines to thousands of children. But my life has changed drastically in the past two years as my work has become dangerous because now I get threats at least once every two months. I need to work to help support my family, so now I have to move from place to place. Whenever I feel that my life is threatened in a particular district, I move to another. IRAQ POLIO CAMPAIGN Called Iraq's polio National Immunisation Days (NIDs). Launched by Ministry of Health. Oral polio vaccines provided by UNICEF. World Health Organisation (WHO) helping plan and monitor campaign. 4.8 million children under 5 will be immunised in two phases. First phase in November immunised 95% of all children in Iraq. Second phase runs for 5 days from 16 to 21 December. 5,300 teams of vaccinators travelling house-to-house throughout the country. UNICEF and WHO are calling on all parties to ensure safety of vaccinators. Iraq has been polio-free since 2000. Many times I have thought of leaving my job but when a child opens his or her mouth to receive the polio drops and I know that it will save his or her life, I change my mind because as a mother I know how important it is to give children polio vaccines. But I have had enough and this is going to be the last polio campaign of my life. We carry the vaccines in a special vaccine carrier and go knocking door by door asking if there are any children in the house. Sometimes we try to get information from the neighbours about other houses with children. But people don't always help; sometimes they just close the doors on you saying that they will never assist Iraqis who work for foreign organisations or who work for the government, which has betrayed Iraqis. In moments like these you feel like someone is going to go behind your back and shoot you dead. We are scared all the time when we go out to give the vaccines. Aid workers have been targeted by insurgents and militias and whenever we turn a corner we fear being hit by a bullet and becoming another victim of this violence. In some districts the situation is even more dangerous with insurgents or militias coming after us asking our first names, surnames, religious beliefs -and they prevent us from knocking on some doors if people in those houses are from a different sect than the people with guns. In those circumstances, we don't try to be heroes by insisting on going into these houses because the threat is real and if we insist we could get killed. We usually ask a neighbour to inform the people of those houses about the campaign so that they can take their children to the nearest public health clinic where they can also have the drops administered. Fighters believe that because UNICEF is delivering the drops we are supporters of the US forces. They do not know the difference between UNICEF and the US and consider us as Iraqis working for a foreign company. This is what makes this job dangerous for us. Iraqis do not believe that there is any organisation which is neutral and people lump you on whatever side they want. Some of our colleagues have been beaten. Some, especially women, have been accused by fighters of being government followers and because they go out to work, they are also accused of being prostitutes. There are also allegations that our vaccine drops are contaminated with some poison from the US forces. Of course, all that is ridiculous. All we do is to try and save children's lives but at the end of the day we are considered betrayers, are accused of all manner of things and are insulted. I have had enough and I cannot stand it anymore because it is becoming increasingly dangerous. We could lose our lives any time and there is no appreciation of what we do. Maybe when all aid workers stop working in Iraq, people will understand how important we are and how protected we should be." Read more about Iraq's polio campaign as/ar/ed[ENDS] Alertnet Headlines For Iraq: FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 21 21 Dec 2006 16:06:32 GMT Source: Reuters Dec 21 (Reuters) - Following are security and other developments in Iraq as of 1545 GMT on Thursday: * indicates new or updated item. * BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest ... Full article Emergency relief for Iraqi and Lebanese communities 21 Dec 2006 16:00:00 GMT Source: World Emergency Relief (WER) - UK WER has shipped a further 15 tons of emergency humanitarian supplies for immediate distribution to Iraqi and Lebanese communities affected by conflict in the Middle East region. Two 40 foot ... Full article US soldiers in Iraq urge Gates to send more troops 21 Dec 2006 15:59:02 GMT Source: Reuters (Adds Gates news conference) By Kristin Roberts BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Reuters) - U.S. soldiers in Iraq urged new Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday to send reinforcements but generals expressed ... Full article Shi'ite officials press Iraq PM to tackle militias 21 Dec 2006 15:01:40 GMT Source: Reuters By Mariam Karouny BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Senior members of Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance are pressing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to go after the Shi'ite militia loyal to cleric Moqtada al-Sadr if ... Full article IRAQ: Salwa Muhammad, Iraq "This will be the last polio campaign of my life" 21 Dec 2006 10:47:23 GMT Source: IRIN Salwa Muhammad is a 32-year-old Iraqi widow who works with UNICEF giving anti-polio vaccines to thousands of children. While she enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that she is helping to save lives, she wants to quit because of the continual threats she and other aid workers receive. Full article FACTBOX-Military and civilian deaths in Iraq 21 Dec 2006 10:39:44 GMT Source: Reuters Dec 21 (Reuters) - One U.S. soldier and one Marine have been killed in action in western Anbar province, the U.S. military said in a statement. It said the soldier died on Tuesday while the Marine was ... Full article Joint statement : Iraqi Red Crescent abduction 21 Dec 2006 09:16:07 GMT Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - Switzerland On Sunday 17 December a number of Iraqi Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers and other persons were abducted from one of the Society's offices in Baghdad. As of today, some have been released, but many are still being held. Full article Iraqi police targeted as U.S. seeks new approach 21 Dec 2006 08:50:48 GMT Source: Reuters By Mariam Karouny BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed 10 Iraqis at a police recruitment centre in Baghdad on Thursday and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on his first trip to ... Full article U.S. Military expected to announce Haditha charges 21 Dec 2006 05:43:22 GMT Source: Reuters By Dan Whitcomb CAMP PENDLETON, Calif, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. military was expected to announce charges on Thursday against a group of Marines in the killing of 24 unarmed civilians in Haditha ... Full article Suicide bomber kills 10 in Baghdad - police sources 21 Dec 2006 05:38:01 GMT Source: Reuters (Updates death toll, details) BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed at least 10 Iraqis and wounded 10 at a police recruitment centre in Baghdad on Thursday, police sources said. They ... Full article Independent Online Edition > UK Politics: 'Brainwashed' Blair losing battle to prove his influence By Andrew Grice, Political Editor Published: 21 December 2006 Tony Blair's "shoulder to shoulder" support for George Bush has been called into question again by claims that he was "brainwashed" by President Bush over plans to pull troops out of Iraq. The Prime Minister returned yesterday from his seven-nation visit to the Middle East, apparently without achieving any significant breakthrough in the peace process. But British officials said that he had found a desire to make progress among Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and insisted that he had never expected to find a magic solution. They said his tour should be judged over the longer term rather than immediately. The trip has been overshadowed by a growing perception that Mr Blair's relationship with President Bush is very much a "one-way street" in which Britain gets very little in return for his unwavering public backing for Washington. Even some Blairites are starting to question the Prime Minister's stance. They are appalled that President Bush has refused to honour his 2004 promise to expend "capital" on the Middle East peace process during his second term. "He doesn't cut Tony much slack," one Blair aide said yesterday. For someone who is often described as a "lucky" politician, cabinet ministers believe that Mr Blair was extremely unlucky to have President Bush in the White House for the past six years. Tareq al-Hashemi, the Iraqi Vice-President, claimed that Mr Blair was ready about three months ago to back a timetable for withdrawing allied forces from Iraq, but was "brainwashed" into changing his mind during his recent talks with President Bush in Washington. He told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York: "It is quite unfortunate that your President made a sort of blackmail out of Mr Blair." Later he told the BBC: "I got the impression that he was much willing, and interested in fact, to raise this subject maybe for the first time with Mr Bush. "I think he discovered that Mr Bush is still adamant that he's not going to declare some sort of timetable for withdrawal to avoid passing wrong messages to terrorism." His claims echoed a report by the respected Chatham House think-tank which claimed that Mr Blair had enjoyed no significant influence over the Bush administration, despite the military, political and financial sacrifices that Britain had made to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas, the outgoing director of Chatham House, said: "Blair has learnt the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing. And his successor will not make the same mistake of offering unconditional support for US initiatives in foreign policy at the expense of a more positive relationship with Europe." But Mr Blair predicted that his successor would maintain his close relationship with America. "I think most people, when they are actually in a position of having to take the decisions, will come to the same view," he said. "Us having a strong relationship with America is one reason why, when I come and discuss the Israel/Palestine issue out in the Middle East, you are having a different kind of conversation, precisely because you have got a relationship with America." Robert Tuttle, the US ambassador in London, described the Chatham House report as "puzzling and incorrect". He said: "Our relationship is the strongest of any two governments in the world and I think the world is a better place for that relationship." Mr Tuttle added: "I think that the special relationship is very, very strong ... You have a very strong prime minister who made the commitment [in Iraq] on what he thought was best for the United Kingdom."

"My Worst Experience Was Making The Coffin Of My Own Brother, Ahmed."

Aswat al Iraq | Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Main security developments in Iraq on Wednesday: Security developments in Iraq on Wednesday Baghdad- The U.S. army said in a statement on Wednesday six persons suspected of association to Qaida in Iraq armed group were arrested in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. One of the arrested was believed to be a leader of Qaida in Iraq and had connection to the killing of scores of civilians including women and children, the statement added. Iraq-Security (Highlights) Security developments in Iraq on Wednesday Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Main security developments in Iraq on Wednesday: Baghdad- The U.S. army said in a statement on Wednesday six persons suspected of association to Qaida in Iraq armed group were arrested in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. One of the arrested was believed to be a leader of Qaida in Iraq and had connection to the killing of scores of civilians including women and children, the statement added. Basra- The spokesman for the Multi-National forces in southern Iraq said on Wednesday British patrols engaged in clashes with unknown gunmen in three different parts in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. The spokesman said "there were no casualties among the British forces." Baghdad- U.S. and Iraqi forces launched in the early hours of Wednesday an intensive house-to-house search campaign in al-Adl neighborhood in western Baghdad, an eyewitness said. Baghdad- The Iraqi police said on Wednesday unknown gunmen positioned a fake checkpoint on the main road to al-Lij village, nearly 25 km southeast of Baghdad, and forced farmers from the village at gunpoint to unknown destination. Mosul- The Iraqi police said on Wednesday a police station was attacked by unknown gunmen while mortar shells fell on a hospital in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul but no casualties were reported. Mosul- An Iraqi security source said on Wednesday an explosive charge went off at a U.S. vehicle patrol in al-Wahda neighborhood in eastern Mosul. The source said "the blast left no casualties among the Iraqi civilians but it was impossible to know if there were casualties among the U.S. soldiers as the U.S. forces immediately cordoned off the area." Baghdad- At least five people were killed and 11 others were wounded on Wednesday morning when a car bomb went off in northern Baghdad, a police source said. Baghdad- A suicide attacker detonated on Wednesday morning an explosives-rigged car at a police checkpoint in downtown Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding 31 others, a police source said. Violence claims some 1,200 people in November - morgue official : Aswat al Iraq: Baghdad-Morgue Violence claims some 1,200 people in November - morgue official By Wathiq Ismael Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Baghdad forensic morgue has received in November about 1,200 bodies of people killed in actions of violence, an Iraqi medical official said on Wednesday. "The number of bodies received at the forensic morgue un Baghdad during November is about 1,200 bodies," the official, who declined to be named, told the independent news agency voices of Iraq (VOI). November toll is down from October when the morgue received 1,600 bodies, he said. "Most of the bodies bore marks of torture and had gun shots," the official added. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has reported that some 100 people get killed in Iraq everyday and most of them in Baghdad where sectarian violence and killings are at their worst. The morgues toll does not represent the true and final toll of those killed in Baghdad as families sometimes collect the bodies of the victims from the hospitals before the bodies are sent to the morgue. Blasts and car bombings are the main reason behind the rising death toll in Baghdad as violence rages unabated in the Iraqi capital. Tens of bodies are also found dumped in the streets of Baghdad almost daily. Najaf-Handover | Aswat al Iraq: Najaf-Handover - Security responsibility handed over to Iraqi army in Najaf By Haider al-Kaabi Najaf, Dec 20, (VOI) -The Iraqi forces received in an official ceremony held on Wednesday the security responsibility from the Multi-National forces in the Shiite sacred city of Najaf. "The transfer of the security responsibility to the Iraqi civil administration in Najaf came third after the handover occurred in the southern Iraqi provinces of Samawa and Thi-Qar," the Iraqi national security adviser Dr. Muafaq al-Rubai'i said at the ceremony. The national security advisor, who represented the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at the ceremony, said "this step will be followed by the hand over of the security responsibility in the three Iraq's Kurdistan region to the Iraqi civil administration there." The three provinces within Kurdistan region are Sulaimaniyah, Duhuk, and Arbil. "The Iraqi government makes every effort to accelerate the completion of the Iraqi forces' preparedness in terms of training and arms supply," said Dr. Rubai'i and added " a decision was recently made by the government as to re-use the former Iraqi army officers in the new formation of the Iraqi forces." The national security adviser also called upon Iraq's neighboring countries to stop interfering in Iraq's internal affairs and these countries should consider such intervention as Rubai'i put it "a red line and violation to the Iraqi national security." "The government's move to strengthen the capabilities of the Iraqi forces comes within its comprehensive plan to disband militias and limit the possession of arms in the hand of the government." The ceremony was attended by some commanders from the Multi-National forces and Iraqi officials, tribal chiefs and political parties' representatives. Najaf is 180 km southwest of Baghdad. Baghdad-Kidnapping | Aswat al Iraq: Baghdad-Kidnapping - Gunmen kidnap six farmers near Baghdad By Monther Hamad Zahi Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - The Iraqi police said unknown gunmen kidnapped six farmers in the early hours of Wednesday from a village near Baghdad. "Unknown gunmen positioned a fake checkpoint on the main road to al-Lij village, nearly 25 km southeast of Baghdad, and forced farmers from the village at gunpoint to unknown destination," the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). The hijacked farmers were riding in two cars when the incident occurred, he added. "The kidnappers left the farmers' behind after they were forced to unknown destination," the source said. Polish premier visits Iraq, meets Maliki : Aswat al Iraq: Iraq-Poland Polish premier visits Iraq, meets Maliki By Adel Fakher Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - The Polish Prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski arrived on Wednesday in Baghdad and met with his Iraqi counterpart Nouri al-Maliki, a media source at Iraqi Prime Minister office said. "Talks have already started between the Iraqi Prime Minister and the visiting Premier Kaczynski," the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Both premiers are expected to give a joint news conference, he added. Maliki- Kaczynski | Aswat al Iraq: Maliki- Kaczynski Maliki: political, economic issues discussed with Kaczynski Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) -Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Wednesday he discussed with his Polish counterpart Jaroslaw Kaczynski issues of common interests for both countries as well as prospects of Polish companies investment in Iraq. "we discussed a spectrum of issues of common interests including the political process in Iraq," Maliki said in a joint news conference with Kaczynski in Baghdad. The Iraqi Premier who stressed that Iraq would stand by the friendly states that supported it said "we discussed possible investment opportunities for Polish companies in Iraq especially in the safe parts of the country." "The meeting was positive and dealt with political and economic issues," Maliki added. The Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski who arrived earlier in Baghdad said his country wanted to continue its support to the people of Iraq. "Iraq is in need of more solidarity to accelerate rebuilding the country," said Kaczynski at the joint news conference. Asked about the future of the Polish military presence within the Multi-National forces in Iraq, Kaczynski replied "our future presence in Iraq depends on more than one factor but after all we are here to help stability in Iraq." Poland has military presence in Iraq within the Multi-National Forces. The Polish troops are situated in the southern Iraqi provinces of Wassit and Diwaniya. Saddam's Anfal trial session resumes in Baghdad : Aswat al Iraq: Saddam-Anfal-Session Saddam's Anfal trial session resumes in Baghdad Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - The trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and six of his aides on Anti-Kurds Anfal case resumed on Wednesday in Baghdad with all defendants present. Wednesday's session was chaired by chief judge Mohammed al-Uraibi al-Khalifah. The 32nd trial session continued for the third day running to show documents believed to be sent by the Iraqi military intelligence service to the presidency office in 1987 suggesting the use of the chemical weapons against Kurdish villages near the border with Iran. In the two previous sessions, Prosecutor Munqith al-Firaon showed 38 documents and letters sent from the Iraqi military intelligence service to the presidency office in 1987 suggesting that chemical weapons were used to bomb villages where Kurdish Peshmerga ( local Kurdish fighters) were active. Al-Firaon said in the trial 32nd session "although the duty of the military intelligence service was to collect military information as the defendant Saber al-Douri (the then chief of the military intelligence service) said, these documents prove that the service also suggested launching precise air strikes against what they referred to in these documents as ( the agents of Iran) in reference to the Iraqi Kurds." In November, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death in a separate trial after being convicted of ordering the killing of 148 people after an attempt on his life in 1982. Saddam Hussein and his aides, including his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, alias Chemical Ali, are being tried on charges of genocide on the case of the 1988 Anfal campaign, in which the Iraqi army gassed 182,000 Kurds and destroyed 4,000 villages. Also among the involved aides were Saber Abdul-Aziz Al-Douri, the chief of military intelligence during the campaign, Taher Tawfiq al-Aani, the former governor of Mosul, Sultan Hashim Ahmed, the former minister of defense, Hussein al-Tikriti, the former member in the armed forces' general command, and Farhan Mutlak al-Jobouri, a director in the former military intelligence department. Gunmen attack police station, hospital in Mosul : Aswat al Iraq: Mosul-Attack Gunmen attack police station, hospital in Mosul By Ibrahim Zannun Mosul, Dec 20, (VOI) - The Iraqi police said on Wednesday a police station was attacked by unknown gunmen while mortar shells fell on a hospital in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. "Unknown gunmen in two cars attacked today morning with small arms al-Nabi Younus police station in eastern Mosul," the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Meanwhile, mortar shells fell on the police station shortly after the gunmen's attack, he added. "Several mortar rounds also slammed today morning onto al-Salam public hospital in al-Wahda neighborhood in eastern Mosul," the source said. The two attacks on the police station and the hospital did not result in casualties, he added. Earlier, an explosive charge went off at a U.S. vehicle patrol in al-Wahda neighborhood. The source said "the blast left no casualties among the Iraqi civilians but it was impossible to know if there were casualties among the U.S. soldiers as the U.S. forces immediately cordoned off the area." U.S. defense secretary arrives in Baghdad : Aswat al Iraq: Baghdad-Visit (urgent) U.S. defense secretary arrives in Baghdad By Wathiq Ismael Baghdad, Dec20, (VOI) - The U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates arrived on Wednesday in an unannounced visit to Baghdad, official sources said. On Monday , Gates said in his address during a sworn-in ceremony at the Pentagon he will visit Iraq soon. 16 casualties as car bomb explodes in northern Baghdad : Aswat al Iraq: Baghdad-Blast 16 casualties as car bomb explodes in northern Baghdad By Adel Fakher Baghdad, Dec20, (VOI) - At least five people were killed and 11 others were wounded on Wednesday morning when a car bomb went off in northern Baghdad, a police source said. "A car bomb parked in al-Maghrib street in northern Baghdad went off today morning killing five civilians and wounding 11 others," the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). The Iraqi security forces immediately cordoned off the area while ambulances rushed to take the wounded to a nearby hospital, the source added. Rubai'i arrives in Najaf, meets Sistani : Aswat al Iraq: Najaf-Visit Rubai'i arrives in Najaf, meets Sistani By Haider al-Kaabi Najaf, Dec 20, (VOI) - The Iraqi national security adviser Muafaq al-Rabai'i arrived on Wednesday to the holy city of Najaf and met with the top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Rubai'i's visit to Najaf , 180 km southeast of Baghdad, came as a ceremony expected today in Najaf to hand over the security responsibility in the province from the Multi-National forces to the Iraqi army. The national security adviser met upon his arrival to Najaf with Gran Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in his house in the old city of Najaf. On Tuesday, the civil administration in Najaf announced a curfew effective as of midnight on Tuesday until 06:00 p.m. on Wednesday as a parade of Iraqi forces will take place in preparation for handover of security responsibility. Last week, spokesman for the Iraqi government said the Iraqi army will take over security in the Shiite-sacred city of Najaf on December 20 from the Multi-National forces. Najaf will be the third Iraqi province to receive the security responsibility from the Multi-National forces after the southern Iraqi provinces of Samawa and Thi-Qar. Suicide bombing leaves 42 casualties in Baghdad : Aswat al Iraq: 1) Child being treated for burns in Baghdad's al Kindi hospital, she was injured in the suicide car attack.2) This lady and her granddaughter were hurt in the same bombing. Baghdad-Bombing Suicide bombing leaves 42 casualties in Baghdad By Wathiq Ismael Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - A suicide attacker detonated on Wednesday morning an explosives-rigged car at a police checkpoint in downtown Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding 31 others, a police source said. "A suicide bomber detonated in early morning of Wednesday an explosives-rigged car at a police checkpoint in Jadiriyah area, central Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding 31 others, including policemen," the source told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). An eyewitness said " there were college students among the casualties as the blast occurred near Baghdad university campus." Four Iraqi pilgrims die on Saudi borders in tough conditions : Aswat al Iraq: Pilgrims-Deaths Four Iraqi pilgrims die on Saudi borders in tough conditions By Dergham Mohammed Baghdad, Dec 19, (VOI) - Four Iraqis, part of some 2,500 pilgrims who had been stranded for days on the border with Saudi Arabia, have died, a member of the higher Hajj committee said on Tuesday. The pilgrim, on their way to Mecca for the annual Moslem pilgrimage, have been held at the border area of Arar with Saudi Arabia for five days, Zahid al-Bayyati told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by telephone. "(The stranded pilgrims) have been facing tough living conditions because of the cold and lack of food and sufficient blankets," he added Al-Bayyati attributed the congestion to problems carrying the pilgrims by air, forcing the committee to switch many of them to land travel. Saudi authorities had been notified that the number of pilgrims traveling by land would be higher than the 13,000 originally agreed but the total would still be the same as the approved quota of 25,000 pilgrims, he added. Saudi approval was still being awaited, resulting in the border congestion. Iraq-Currency | Aswat al Iraq: Dollar demand up in Iraqi central bank auction Baghdad, Dec 20, (VOI) - Demand for U.S. dollars was up to $22.230 million in Iraq's Central Bank auction on Wednesday compared with $10.605 million in the previous day. The central bank covered all bids from banks at $1.270 million in cash and $20.960 million in transfers abroad, all at 1,373 dinars to the dollar, down seven dinars from yesterday. Nine banks taking part in the auction offered to sell $2.500 million which the bank bought at 1,371 dinars. IRAQ: Muhammad Abdel Kader, Iraq, "I never made so many coffins a day" © Afif Sarhan/IRIN Muhammad Abdel Kader makes around 20 coffins a day. BAGHDAD, 20 Dec 2006 (IRIN) - "My name is Muhammad Abdel Kader. I am 36 years old and live in the Ejidida neighbourhood of Baghdad with my parents, wife and only son. I have lived in Baghdad all my life. I have been making coffins since I was 24 to help with the family income. I work non-stop, 12 hours a day, six days a week. I have never made so many coffins a day in my life. I have to make as many coffins as I can to meet demand in al-Qarah Cemetery. Before the war, we were making about two or maximum three coffins a day for people who had died from diseases or car accidents. But today we make at least 20 a day for victims of the violence. For me, this is good business because the more people I bury the more income I get. I usually get US $10 per burial. But I can't be inhuman and say that I don't care because the suffering of the families sometimes makes me think about changing my profession so that I don't ever have to see such depressing scenes. We coffin makers are in so much demand these days. My job is essential to the country because of the dozens of people who are killed daily and if I don't make coffins, there will be more chaos. I remember a day, some four months ago, when I and my colleague had to make 50 coffins. Soon there will be no more places here in the cemetery to bury so many bodies. Some of the dead have been killed by militias or insurgents or in bomb explosions. Others have been killed by gangsters for money or in senseless sectarian violence. My worst experience was making the coffin of my own brother, Ahmed. He was a 33-year-old cabinet maker with two children. I had to help burying him. He was killed in a bomb explosion and fate had it that I was the one working in the cemetery on that day. Sometimes you don't even have time to cry for the loss of your relative. After burying my brother, I had to help make coffins for 13 other people who had died on the same day. My brother's death was a tragedy for my family. We were only two brothers helping our parents because my father lost his leg in the 1991 Gulf War and a month earlier my uncle had been killed by insurgents inside his home - but thank God I didn't have to bury him as it was my day off. It is very sad to see Iraq like this today. I hope that my children one day will live in a better country without violence but in a country filled with happiness and dignity." as/ar/ed McClatchy Washington Bureau | 12/19/2006 | Roundup of violence in Iraq - 19 December: By Mohammed al Awsy McClatchy Newspapers The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Mohammed al Awsy in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It's posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy's Washington Bureau. Baghdad . -- at 8 o'clock this morning an IED exploded in al zafaraniah area southern Baghdad, 6 civilians were injured. -- at 9 o'clock this morning 4 employees of the ministry of industry were taking the salaries from al zuiah bank in karada area back to the ministry when unknown gunmen driving 4 vehicles stopped their car near abdul majeed private hospital and force them out from their car and took the car with one billion and two hundred million dinar. -- at 1:30 this afternoon the head of doctors department at al alwia hospital was kidnapped from inside the hospital by unknown gunmen. -- the actor MITASHAR AL SUDAMI was found dead today on haifa street, he as kidnapped yesterday. -- today 53 bodies were found in Baghdad, some were handcuffed and tortured. 3 bodies were found in sadr city, 2 kamaliyah, 1 hussainiyah, 1 talbiyah, 1 aour, 5 dora, 4 kadhumiah, 4 hurriyah, 2 adil, 6 amil, 3 bayaa, 2 saidiyah, 2 risalah, 3 abu atsheer, 3 jihad, 1 mansour, 4 shoala, 5 ghazaliyah,and 1 yarmouk . DIYALA province . -- according to a security source from muqdadia area 45km east of baqouba, terrorists assassinated a member of the timim tribe and his son as ther were traveling in their car at barwana village . -- according to a medical source from diyala health directorate, the Iraqi police found 8 dead bodies in al tahreer area south of baqouba and in the mafraq and gatoon areas west of baqouba. one women and one military soldier were among the bodies. -- according to an Iraqi military source from the fifth division in diyala province, iraqi army and unknown gunmen clashed after an IED exploded and killed 2 iraqi military officers. 5 gunmen were killed and a big number of weapons was confiscated. -- according to a police source from baqouba police, 2 policemen were killed when their patrol was attacked by gunmen in al Mustafa area in baqouba. the same source said that 3 children were killed and 8 were injured when a number of mortars fell in al lualua area west of baqouba. IRAQ: 32 : Journalists killed in 2006: Atwar Bahjat, Al-Arabiya, February 23, 2006, Samarra Adnan Khairallah, Wasan Productions and Al-Arabiya, February 23, 2006, Samarra Khaled Mahmoud al-Falahi, Wasan Productions and Al-Arabiya, February 23, 2006, Samarra Munsuf Abdallah al-Khaldi, Baghdad TV, March 7, 2006, Baghdad Amjad Hameed, Al-Iraqiya, March 11, 2006, Baghdad Muhsin Khudhair, Alef Ba, March 13, 2006, Baghdad Kamal Manahi Anbar, freelance, March 26, 2006, Baghdad So'oud Muzahim al-Shoumari, Al-Baghdadia, April 4, 2006, Baghdad Laith al-Dulaimi, Al-Nahrain, May 8, 2006, south of Baghdad James Brolan, CBS, May 29, 2006, Baghdad Paul Douglas, CBS, May 29, 2006, Baghdad Ali Jaafar, Al-Iraqiya, May 31, 2006, Baghdad Ibrahim Seneid, Al-Bashara, June 13, 2006, Fallujah Adel Naji al-Mansouri, Al-Alam, July 29, 2006, Baghdad Riyad Muhammad Ali, Talafar al-Yawm, July 30, 2006, Mosul Mohammad Abbas Mohammad, Al-Bayinnah Al-Jadida, August 7, 2006, Baghdad Ismail Amin Ali, freelance, August 7, 2006, Baghdad Abdel Karim al-Rubai, Al-Sabah, September 9, 2006, Baghdad Safa Isma'il Enad, freelance, September 13, 2006, Baghdad Ahmed Riyadh al-Karbouli, Baghdad TV, September 18, 2006, Ramadi Hussein Ali, Al-Shaabiya, October 12, 2006, Baghdad Abdul-Rahim Nasrallah al-Shimari, Al-Shaabiya, October 12, 2006, Baghdad Noufel al-Shimari, Al-Shaabiya, October 12, 2006, Baghdad Thaker al-Shouwili, Al-Shaabiya, October 12, 2006, Baghdad Ahmad Sha'ban, Al-Shaabiya, October 12, 2006, Baghdad Saed Mahdi Shlash, Rayat al-Arab, October 26, 2006, Baghdad Naqshin Hamma Rashid, Atyaf (Iraqi Media Network), October 29, 2006, Baghdad Muhammad al-Ban, Al-Sharqiya, November 13, 2006, Mosul Luma al-Karkhi, Al-Dustour, November 15, 2006, Baqubah Nabil Ibrahim al-Dulaimi, Radio Dijla, December 4, 2006, Baghdad Aswan Ahmed Lutfallah, Associated Press Television News, December 12, 2006, Mosul Mahmoud Za'al, Baghdad TV, January 25, 2006, Ramadi ALERTNET HEADLINES Iraqi soldiers eat frogs, rabbit at handover ceremony 20 Dec 2006 16:27:06 GMT Source: Reuters (Adds details on equipment, quotes) By Claudia Parsons NAJAF, Iraq, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Iraqi soldiers bit the heads off frogs and ate the heart of a rabbit as signs of courage on Wednesday at a ... Full article Top US Mideast commander to retire in early 2007 20 Dec 2006 16:24:14 GMT Source: Reuters (recasts, adds details) By Jim Wolf WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid, who commands U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan as head of the Central Command, plans to retire ... Full article Bush weighs more troops for Iraq, bigger military 20 Dec 2006 16:07:56 GMT Source: Reuters (Updates with Bush quotes, details) By Caren Bohan WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - The United States will not be "run out" of the Middle East by the Iraq crisis, President George W. Bush ... Full article Bush vows "new course" as Gates visits Iraq 20 Dec 2006 15:57:45 GMT Source: Reuters (Recasts with Bush) By Kristin Roberts BAGHDAD, Dec 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush pledged on Wednesday to chart "a new course" in Iraq as new Secretary of Defense Robert ... Full article Bush: looking at all options on Iraq, more troops 20 Dec 2006 15:23:12 GMT Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he was reviewing all options on Iraq, including sending more troops. "I haven't made up my mind yet about more troops,& ... Full article Iraq deadliest 2006 media dateline - watchdog 20 Dec 2006 15:00:13 GMT Source: Reuters By Michelle Nichols NEW YORK, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Iraq was by far the deadliest country for journalists in 2006, with most of the 32 killed there targeted by insurgents, the U.S.-based Committee to ... Full article IRAQ: Muhammad Abdel Kader, Iraq, "I never made so many coffins a day" 20 Dec 2006 14:58:50 GMT Source: IRIN Muhammad Abdel Kader is a 36-year-old coffin maker from Baghdad. While he is doing better business than ever before, because of the daily deadly violence, he hopes to live to see a peaceful Iraq. Full article UPDATE1-Top US Mideast commander to retire early in 2007 20 Dec 2006 14:44:20 GMT Source: Reuters (Adds details) WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, plans to retire early next year, the U.S. Central Command said on ... Full article FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 20 20 Dec 2006 14:42:01 GMT Source: Reuters Dec 20 (Reuters) - Following are security and other developments in Iraq as of 1300 GMT on Wednesday: * denotes new or updated item. *BAGHDAD - Gunmen killed university professor Muntathar ... Full article Bush to make statement on Iraq, military strength 20 Dec 2006 12:41:23 GMT Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush will hold a news conference on Wednesday at 10 a.m./1500 GMT and will make an opening statement on Iraq, the White House said. Bush will ... Full article Erdla See comments for site news e

December 19th Update2 News In English From Aswat Al Iraq Together With Various Agency Reports

IRAQ: Aid agencies call for respect from armed groups © Afif Sarhan/IRIN Attacks on Iraqi Red Crescent Society workers have made their jobs increasingly difficult. BAGHDAD, 18 Dec 2006 (IRIN) - Ahmed Hussam (not his real name), 32, was shell-shocked after his colleagues were kidnapped on Sunday while on duty in the Iraqi Red Crescent Society's (IRCS) office in the capital, Baghdad. "I saw my colleagues being taken by kidnappers and the ones who remained couldn't do anything to help them because the men were carrying guns and wearing police uniforms," Hussam said. "It is a tragedy for the aid community. IRCS has been the main aid agency helping Iraqis and yet it has been targeted many times and some volunteers have been killed over the past three years. Now, 25 men have been taken and we don't know if they are going to be released alive," he added. On 17 December, armed men wearing commando-style uniforms stormed the IRCS office in Baghdad and kidnapped 30 men. Women were segregated and left alone. Reports suggest that six men, all elderly, have been released. It is a tragedy for the aid community. IRCS has been the main aid agency helping Iraqis and yet it has been targeted many times and some volunteers have been killed over the past three years. Ahmed Hussam, Iraqi Red Crescent Society The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Committee of the Red Crescent (ICRC) have called for the immediate release of the workers, saying the Iraqi Red Crescent provided vital help for those in need. "We demand their unconditional and immediate release. They are clearly identified by the Red Crescent emblem and they are entitled to full protection under international humanitarian law," Nada Doumani, the spokeswoman of the ICRC, told IRIN, without giving more details about any ongoing negotiations. Doumani said that the ICRC has to remain neutral during conflicts and as such has a policy of working with all influential armed groups in any country so as to facilitate their humanitarian work on the ground and protect their employees. The ICRC has already been involved in negotiations with insurgent groups in Iraq before this latest incident, she said. Grim picture of humanitarian situation Doumani added that since the kidnapping no exceptional measures have been taken yet and that the ICRC would continue working in Iraq. "This [kidnapping] portrays the grim picture of the humanitarian situation in Iraq. This will make the work of these organisations very hard and will reflect on the services being offered to the Iraqi people," she said. Most aid agencies pulled out of Iraq following the bombing of the United Nations compound in Baghdad in August 2003, in which 23 people were killed. With 1,000 staff members and 200,000 volunteers, the Iraqi Red Crescent is the only aid organisation extensively covering all of Iraq. "We hope they [the kidnapped] are going to be released soon because we have a good reputation with Iraqis who respect us and trust us as a neutral organisation," Mazen Abdallah, secretary general of the Iraqi Red Crescent, said. Iraqi citizens and aid workers are facing a large gap between the legal protection they should enjoy and the violent reality on the ground… More than ever aid workers who continue to work in Iraq on a daily basis to save lives are heroic. Cedric Turlan, NGO Coordination Committee in IraqThe NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI) urged the various fighting groups in Iraq to recognise and respect the presence of NGOs working impartially in the country for the benefit of the people. It called for the protection of aid workers and the release of those abducted or detained. "Iraqi citizens and aid workers are facing a large gap between the legal protection they should enjoy and the violent reality on the ground. They face daily violations - such as abductions, executions, arbitrary detentions, attacks on aid convoys and a lack of respect for the principle of distinction between military and civilian people and objects," Cedric Turlan, NCCI Information Officer, said. Turlan said that at least 81 aid workers have been killed since 2003. "More than ever aid workers who continue to work in Iraq on a daily basis to save lives are heroic. Legally, the sovereign Iraqi state is responsible for attempting to stem all violations of human rights," Turlan said. Turlan added that the Iraqi government should regulate and facilitate NGOs' work and that the US-led Multinational Forces there should recognise NGOs' presence and facilitate their access to vulnerable populations during military operations. Copyright © IRIN 2006 The material contained on www.IRINnews.org comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian news and information service, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. All IRIN material may be reposted or reprinted free-of-charge; refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use. IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Reuters AlertNet - MUSLIM AID LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR IRAQI ORPHANS AND WIDOWS: MUSLIM AID LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR IRAQI ORPHANS AND WIDOWS 18 Dec 2006 16:44:00 GMT Source: Muslim Aid - UK Muslim Aid Website: http://www.muslimaid.org Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone. MUSLIM AID | Press Releases: MUSLIM AID LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR IRAQI ORPHANS AND WIDOWS About Us > Press Releases 15/12/2006 It has been calculated that the violence in Baghdad claims 120 lives a day in the Iraqi capital. It has also been estimated by US scientists that over half a million civilians have been killed since the US invasion in 2003, and last month has seen some of the bloodiest sectarian violence since then. "The orphans and the widows are the people who feel the brunt of this violence," said Saif Ahmad, CEO of Muslim Aid. "They are the ones who have to pick up the pieces, and move on with their lives. That is one of the reasons why we are launching this appeal." Muslim Aid has operated a field office in Iraq since 2003, and has put a lot of resources into orphan care in the war-torn country. With Iraq verging on the brink of civil war, Muslim Aid has stepped up its drive to provide assistance to the country. (ENDS) For further information, please contact Michael Siva at 0207-377-4220 or media@muslimaid.org Iraq-Security (Highlights) -2 :: Aswat al Iraq :: Aswat al Iraq: Iraq-Security (Highlights) -2 Security developments in Iraq Baghdad, Dec 18, (VOI) - Main security developments in Iraq on Monday: Falluja- The Iraqi police said on Monday the U.S. forces launched an intensive search campaign in southern Falluja during which 30 suspects were arrested. Mosul- Police patrols in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul found on Monday two unidentified bodies dumped in western Mosul, a police source said. Baghdad- A policeman was killed and another was wounded on Monday with sniper's bullets in Wathba square in central Baghdad, a police source said. Baaquba- The Baaquba morgue said on Monday it received ten unidentified bodies that bore torture marks and had shots in different parts of the body. Falluja- The Iraqi police said on Monday masked gunmen shot dead a policeman outside his house in central Falluja. Al Zaman (English): Japan business delegation in Kurdish north A Japanese business delegation has arrived in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya to discuss what Japan can do to reconstruct the Kurdish region.... more 18/12/2006 Reconciliation conference ends with failure The reconciliation conference the government convened to bring the disparate Iraqi groups together has failed.... more 18/12/2006 Unemployment at 50% says minister Nearly half of Iraqis able to work are idle, said Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.... more 14/12/2006 Official says U.S. lying about reconstruction The United States does not tell the truth about the reconstruction projects it executes in the country, the governor of the southern province of Diwayniya said.... more 13/12/2006 Children die, miscarriages increase as U.S. troops lay siege to city At least eight children have died and seven women have had miscarriages in the town of al-Sinya which invading U.S. troops have put under siege for more than 50 days.... more 12/12/2006 McClatchy Washington Bureau | 12/17/2006 | Roundup of violence in Iraq - 17 December: Roundup of violence in Iraq - 17 December By MOHAMMED Al AWSY McClatchy Newspapers The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Mohammed al Awsy in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It's posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy's Washington Bureau. Baghdad · at 12:30 this afternoon 10 police vehicles with people wearing the commandos uniforms stormed inside the red crescent office in park al saadon area near karada and near al andalous square , they kidnapped between 20 -30 employees and visitors and went to unknown place after a while the Iraqi forces locked the area no one leaves and no one comes to the area and starting to search the near by neighborhoods, an employee working at red crescent said that 6 employees were freed by was not conformed by the Iraqi police yet . · this morning a car bomb exploded in al mahmodiyah area southern Baghdad in front of the main bus station , one civilian was injured and a number of car were burnt. · in al shabaka square in Palestine street eastern Baghdad unknown gunmen stopped 3 vehicles that belongs to the government , 2 of these vehicles had 4 members of al kadhumiyah municipality council members , 3 members were kidnapped and the fourth was killed by the gunmen . · today 32 dead bodies were found in all over Baghdad , 1 Palestine street , 1 sader city , 4 hurriyah , 4 dora , 4 shoala , 3 amil , 2 mansour , 2 abu atsheer , 3 adil , 2 bayaa , 1 aalam , 1 saidiyah , 2 maamon and 2 in furat . DIYALA province . · according to a governmental source from baladroz area 45km eastern baquab that the security forces have arrested one of the terrorist AMEER , called HAMEED SHIHAB [ ebn mahia] he was arrested when the Iraqi forces made a raid in al dainiah area . · according to a source from diyala tribal council that the takfiri armed group assassin sheikh satar mohammed al khidhran [ sheikh of al baiat tribe ] and one of his relative who was with him when they were near al zihirat village when unknown gunmen opened fire at their vehicle . · the same sorece said that the multinational forces arrested last night sheikh yas al timimi [ one of the sheikhs of timim tribes] with out giving more details . · according to a police source from diyala police directorate that a force from diyal police directorate arrested this afternoon a group of terrorists [ 12 terrorists ] they were responsible for displacing families from baquba city , this arrest was done in al tahreer , mafraq and al gatoon neighborhoods western baquba . KARKUK province . According to brigadier sarhad kader the chief police of sectors and areas in karkuk that 4 people were arrested according to an intelligence information that those people are engaged in some operations against the Iraqi forces , 15 different kind of weapons were found with them and 2 vehicles . Reuters Alertnet US officials split over troop surge in Iraq -paper 19 Dec 2006 06:08:41 GMT Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - As President George W. Bush weighs options for changing course in Iraq, his administration is split over the concept of sending in more troops, The Washington Post ... Full article Iraq strife worst yet, militia big threat-Pentagon 19 Dec 2006 00:33:44 GMT Source: Reuters (Adds quotes, more report details) By Andrew Gray WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Attacks in Iraq on U.S.-led forces, local security personnel and civilians have surged 22 percent to record levels ... Full article Attacks in Iraq at all-time high - Pentagon 18 Dec 2006 22:01:03 GMT Source: Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attacks in Iraq on U.S.-led forces, local security personnel and civilians in the three months to Nov. 10 have surged 22 percent over the previous three months to reach an all- ... Full article New Pentagon chief warns against failure in Iraq 18 Dec 2006 21:22:10 GMT Source: Reuters (Adds Bush quote) By Kristin Roberts WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Robert Gates, sworn in as U.S. defense secretary on Monday, said he understood the desire to bring troops home but that failure ... Full article FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 18 18 Dec 2006 20:54:07 GMT Source: Reuters Dec 18 (Reuters) - Following are security and other developments in Iraq as of 2015 GMT on Monday: * denotes new or updated item. * BAGHDAD - Police found 44 bodies in various parts of Baghdad ... Full article U.S. military to announce Haditha charges Thursday 18 Dec 2006 19:49:07 GMT Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. military plans to charge Marines in the killing of 24 civilians in Haditha, Iraq, on Thursday, according to sources familiar with the case. The November 2005 ... Full article Divided Iraq would only increase violence -Erdogan 18 Dec 2006 19:23:54 GMT Source: Reuters UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Iraq is in the midst of a civil war and carving it up would only increase the level of violence, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan of neighboring Turkey said on Monday, ... Full article IRAQ: Palestinian refugees fear for their lives after recent attack © Afif Sarhan/IRIN Palestinian refugees in Iraq face daily death threats to leave the country, but have nowhere to go. BAGHDAD, 17 Dec 2006 (IRIN) - Palestinian refugees living in Iraq say there is increasing fear in their community after a recent attack on a predominantly Palestinian Baghdad neighbourhood left nine people dead and several injured, including children. "We are getting worried about our situation in Iraq. We cannot leave the country because the borders are closed to us and the government doesn't give us any hope that it can increase our security," said Ahmed Muffitlak, spokesman for the Baghdad-based Palestinian Muslims Association (PMA). On 13 December, local militia attacked the al-Baladiya district of the capital, where hundreds of Palestinians have lived for years. No attempt was made by the Iraqi police or multinational forces to halt the three-hour attack, Muffitlak said, adding that the militia stopped ambulances entering the area and attacked anyone who tried to enter or leave without their authorisation. "Many elderly people got seriously sick just from the tension [of the situation] and some children were injured. When a father tried to take his six-year-old son to hospital, the fighters killed him, leaving the child in the street bleeding," Muffitlak said. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said it was appalled by this violent attack by armed militia and appealed to the international community to provide a solution for Palestinians attempting to flee Iraq. "We are very alarmed by this attack and dismayed by the lack of protection given to Palestinians in Iraq. They have very limited freedom of movement and no possibility to leave the country - unlike Iraqis - to find a safe haven, nor any community to protect them," Radhouane Nouicer, UNHCR's Geneva-based deputy director for the region, said in a statement on 14 December. Urgent protection needed "We are urgently appealing to the Iraqi government and the multinational forces to provide protection and safety or an alternative safe location for this targeted group. We also ask the world to stop turning their back and provide a humane solution and safe haven to these people who have no way out," Nouicer added. The Iraqi government has responded by saying that violence in the country is not only directed towards Palestinians but to everyone living in Iraq. "We are really worried about the safety not only for Palestinians but also for all Iraqis and foreigners in our country and we are working hard to catch all these groups that are taking the lives of hundreds of innocent people," Lt Col Saeed Abdel-Fatah, a Ministry of Interior officer, said. IRIN contacted a spokeswoman for the Multinational Forces in Iraq on the subject of the safety of Palestinians living there but has received no response as yet. Palestinians in Iraq have lived under a degree of fear since the US-led occupation of Iraq began in 2003. As Sunnis under Israeli occupation in their homeland, they were afforded privileged status under former president Saddam Hussein's government - a factor which is now pitting them against the formally marginalised Shi'ite community in Iraq. But ever since Sunni militants attacked a Shi'ite shrine in the northern city of Samarra in February this year, Palestinians have been increasingly targeted as sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims escalated. Dozens of cases of the kidnappings and killings of Palestinians have been reported by UNHCR and local NGOs in the past few months. "We have received reports of more than 500 threats against Palestinians and many cases of murders as well as women and youths being raped," Muffitlak said, adding that leaflets with death threats were left outside doors in Palestinian neighbourhoods of Baghdad, prompting hundreds to flee to the Syria-Iraq border. Muffitlak said that most embassies in the country have stopped taking documents from Palestinians trying to arrange foreign visas. "We have called the UNHCR for help in taking every Palestinian out of Iraq before they get killed. But the organisation said that it is having great difficulty getting authorisation from foreign and Arab countries," he said. UNHCR said it has approached resettlement countries, but so far positive responses have only been forthcoming from Canada, which has taken 64 Palestinians who were stranded in a Jordanian refugee camp for years. Syria took in 287 Palestinians in May 2006, before closing its borders to other desperate Palestinians, according to the latest UNHCR press release. In 2003, UNHCR registered 23,000 of an estimated 34,000 Palestinians living in Iraq. Today, less than 15,000 Palestinians are believed to remain in the country. as/ar/sz/ed [ENDS] Copyright © IRIN 2006 The material contained on www.IRINnews.org comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian news and information service, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. All IRIN material may be reposted or reprinted free-of-charge; refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use. IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Site Notice: There will be no further postings today. Erdla