Monday, February 11, 2013

Nouri's forces preventing Iraqis from entering Baghdad

Violence continues in Iraq. Alsumaria notes that an attack on a Thar Thar checkpoint (outside of Ramadi) resulted in the deaths of 2 Iraqi soldiers and two more injures.  All Iraq News adds that a Baghdad sticky bombing has left the Dean of the Ministry of the Interior injured.  Iraq Body Count notes that through Sunday 139 people have died from violence in Iraq so far this month.  That's 139 violent deaths in 10 days.

The protests continue in Iraq.  Alsumaria notes that Diyala Province officials have formed a committee to convey the demands of the protesters to the federal government.  In addition, Vice President Khudair Khuzaie told US Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Beecroft that the federal government will be "flexible" when it comes to the protesters demands.  Alsumaria notes Iraqiya issued a statement noting their continued solidarity with protesters and their legimate demands.  Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq met with Anbar Province Governor Qassim Fahdawi to discuss ways to implement the demands of the protesters.  al-Mutlaq is a member of Iraqiya.          All Iraq News speaks with Iraiqya MP Raad Danielle who states there has been too much procrastination and foot dragging.  He cites an example of the protesters calls for detainees to be released and how these are words in the media but they are not acted upon by the government.  Iraqiya's support is clear.

What's going on with Moqtada al-Sadr?  News outlets are reporting conflicting claims regarding the movement leader and cleric.  Al Rafidayn reports that Moqtada has decreed that his followers will not participate in the demonstrations this Friday.  By contrast, All Iraq News reports that Moqtada's called on his supporters to participate in the demonstrations this Friday to show support for the people of Bahrain.  Al Rafidayn states Moqtada called off participation because of Nouri's actions, Nouri issuing a statement through the Office of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces calling on the Iraqi military to physically stop protesters.  What's got Nouri in a panic?

From Saturday:

 Kitabat reports that yesterday some protesters in Anbar Province announced their intent to march to Baghdad next Friday.  All Iraq News notes National Alliance MP Qasim al-Araji is calling out the plan to stage a sit-in in Baghdad.  The Ministry of Interior (run by Nouri al-Maliki since he never nominated anyone to head it) had its own announcement.  Alsumaria reports that today it was declared their intent to crack down on any protest -- anywhere in the country -- that they felt was a threat or lacked a permit.  Al Mada notes that the spokesperson for the Anbar protests, Sayad Lafi, states that the protesters have written Baghdad seeking permission to pray in the city on Friday and return the same day. 


Al Mada reports that the Anbar protesters state they have still not received a reply to their request.  The reply is most likely "no" judging by events taking place currently. Kitabat reports today that Nouri's forces are preventing the residents of Salahuddin Province and Nineveh Province from entering Baghdad and that traffic is stopped as i.d.s are checked and security forces turn people away.  Alsumaria also notes that people are being prevented from entering Baghdad and adds that there are rumors that Nouri plans to impose a curfew starting Thursday.





Bonnie reminds that Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "Flatter Than A Ken Doll" went up last night. On this week's Law and Disorder Radio,  an hour long program that airs Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. EST on WBAI and around the country throughout the week, hosted by attorneys Heidi Boghosian, Michael S. Smith and Michael Ratner (Center for Constitutional Rights) who speak with the ACLU's Michelle Richardson about the extension of warrantless wiretapping for another five years without oversight and Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel's Omar Barghouti discusses the Boycott Divestment Sanction movement. And the editors of The New Statesman declare "Time's Up For Assange:"
Mr Assange says that he is concerned about onward extradition to the US, where he could face the death penalty. But Sweden has shown more independence than the UK when dealing with US extradition requests. It would be outrageous for the US to attempt to extradite Mr Assange to stand trial for espionage but there is no reason he should be exempt from facing the sexual assault allegations against him in Sweden. He should leave the Ecuadorean embassy without delay.




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