Land of Two Rivers

Friday, May 19, 2006

Iraq Watch: May 19, 2006

Al-Maliki Plans to Present Cabinet Choices Saturday
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki plans to present his choices for cabinet before the nations parliament Saturday, two days before the May 22 deadline.
Reuters reports that Hussain al-Shahristani will head Iraq's Oil Ministry while the country's economic reconstruction will be overseen by two deputy premiere's, Kurd Barham Salih and Sunni Salam al-Zobaie.
However, the key positions of interior and defense minister have still not been agreed upon and will be filled with temporary appointees until the final selections for the vital slots have been approved.
The controversial outgoing interior minister, Bayan Jabar, will be named Iraq's Finance Minister. Also, the BBC states that incumbent Kurdish Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will reclaim his post.
In violence Friday, a gunbattle between insurgents and Iraqi security forces in western Baghdad's Jihad neighborhood left at least five civilians dead and eight injured.
Also in Baghdad, six pool maintenance workers were slain by gunmen in the capital's Adel neighborhood according to the New York Times.
Meanwhile, fighting continued in Ramadi, west of the capital. The predominately Sunni town has long been a hotbed of anti-American sentiment and the scene of frequent insurgent attacks. CNN reports that the U.S. military plans to send in reinforcements to Anbar's provincial capital in an attempt to quell the largely unfettered violence.
In the mostly Shiite town of Diwaniyah, 80 miles south of Baghdad, unknown assailants set fire to at least 30 shops in a residential market place. The arson attack appeared to be sectarian in nature.

posted by Todd @ 5:08 PM  

1 Comments:

  • At 3:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi, Todd:

    Thanks for referencing the US Central Command website (http://www.centcom.mil) in some of your posts. I'm not sure of the degree to which you've looked at our site, but it features news, photos, audio and video from Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa). I've pasted some of the most recent stories out of Iraq below, in case you hadn't seen them.

    SPC C. Flowers
    CENTCOM Public Affairs

    # # #

    http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/The%20Rebirth%20of%20Tall%20‘Afar.aspx

    The Rebirth of Tall ‘Afar

    By Polli Barnes Keller

    Gulf Region North

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Mosul Iraq - Many people write letters to the President of the United States. But how many get enough attention to be read into the records of Congress? A letter written by the mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Najim Al-Jibouri, did just that.

    Najim’s letter was one of thanks and a plea for continued help with the reconstruction of his city. Tall ‘Afar was a main base of operations for insurgents in northern Iraq. In his letter to Bush, the mayor indicated the insurgents had, “held the city hostage.” Thanks to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment working with Iraqi forces the city was liberated and reconstruction began.

    Due to years of neglected infrastructure and war, the process to restore the city will take years. Power lines are in need of repair; debris and rubble make the streets impassable. Sewer lines are broken and raw sewage flows freely into the streets, while water systems remain dormant. However, the process has begun and a normal life for the citizens of Tall ‘Afar does not look so far away.

    Director Generals (DG) from each Ministry developed a list of project needs for Tall ‘Afar. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other coalition parties are working with Tall ‘Afar’s Local Reconstruction Committee to rebuild the city. One specification agreed upon, was all contractors and employees must come from Tall ‘Afar. The only exception to this requirement is if there is no Tall ‘Afar contractor certified to perform a particular specialty work, then an outside contractor may be used. The DGs and associated committees are working diligently to get the contracts signed and the work started. To date, seventeen projects have been announced.

    Signs of reconstruction are apparent throughout the city. Workers from Tall ‘Afar Electric are seen perched high on ladders repairing electrical lines while drill workers are busy digging water wells in local neighborhoods. Curious children flock around to watch as the drill digs deep into the earth in search of water. Workers sit quietly on the side of the road taking a break from the laborious job of paving streets and roads; meanwhile Mayor Najim attends the grand opening of a neighborhood water well. The rebirth of a city has begun.

    All the Director Generals are devoted to completing these projects in a timely manner.

    The DG of Education approved and signed all the contracts for the schools. What does this mean to the city? It means no more overcrowding of classrooms and no more split schedules for the students. As it stands now, the classrooms are not large enough for all the children to attend at once. A split schedule was devised to ensure all children have the opportunity to receive an education. Some children attend classes the first half of the day, while the other children attend the latter half. Even though the students are crowded and the classrooms are bursting at the seams, smiles and laughter fill the hallways and playgrounds.

    The Communications DG approved the telephone switch station for 16K hard wire lines, however a review committee in Baghdad has suggested the DG might consider wireless. Telephone communications are limited at the moment, but improvement is on the horizon and the citizens of Tall ‘Afar are optimistic about the future of their communications.

    Wanting to ensure the quality of equipment used would be the best available, the Electricity DG for distribution is questioning possible rehabbed transformers that were included in the electrical bids. Meanwhile repairs are visible throughout the city. Tall ‘Afar Electric is working throughout the city repairing damaged wires caused by decay and the ravages of war.

    The Water DG is moving forward. He reviewed, revised and re-issued the required specifications for pumps on a water project, calling for new tanks, 2 engine generators (630kV) and connections to the electrical power grid. Drilling equipment can be seen in many neighborhoods as new wells are brought to fruition. Communities gather together and rejoice as fresh water returns to the neighborhoods.

    A sanitation project designed to impact the economy through job creation is scheduled to commence within days. It divides the city into seven sectors. Two hundred and fifty employees from each sector will pick up trash and debris for 90 days. This project will not only help to clean the streets of Tall ‘Afar but give purpose and pride to those who live within the city. The citizens of Tall ‘Afar are proud of their city and want to reclaim the beauty and heritage it once possessed before the war entered its city limits.

    Earlier in Tall ‘Afar, 300 people held a demonstration regarding the first bid solicitation and opening process. It appears the demonstration had a positive effect on the way Ministry of Industry and Minerals is now involving the mayor, council and tribal leaders. The process is more transparent which alleviates any confusion or suspicion and helps to keep the leaders of the process honest.

    In three years, the Iraqi people have made tremendous progress in their quest for freedom; the elimination of a brutal dictator; the writing and acceptance of an Iraqi Constitution; the democratic election of a permanent government; and the establishment of an increasingly effective Iraqi Security Force.

    There is still work ahead for the citizens of Tall ‘Afar, however, the foundation for freedom has been set by the brave people of this great city, and they are in full-step on their march towards a new beginning.

    # # #

    http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Scorpions%20take%20the%20lead.aspx

    Scorpions take the lead

    Story by Spc.Yolanda Moreno Leon
    138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    HAMMAH AL-ALIL, Iraq – As Operation Iraqi Freedom continues more and more Iraqi based units are taking over for Coalition troops throughout the war-torn country.

    Soldiers from 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team's 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, handed over security to 2nd Iraqi Army Division’s 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, aka The Scorpion Battalion, during a transfer of authority ceremony at the Iraqi Army Headquarters in Hammam Al-Alil April 27.

    Iraqi Soldiers have been active in the Hamman Al-Alil community and have been critical to the establishment of security in the region which was once a hotbed of insurgent activity.

    “Today we have complete confidence in our abilities and insist on carrying the responsibility for security in our area through cooperation with the entire security establishment, tribal shieks, and local leaders,” said Col. Hajji Commander 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army. “All of us will work as one team, as brothers, to keep the area safe and go forward for freedom and democracy.”

    According to Maj. Ken Slover, fire support officer, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, today marks a significant milestone in the security of the western Tigris River valley.

    “The IA (Soldiers) have a vested interest in security,” Maj. Slover said. “They also have a street knowledge from growing up in and understanding the associations of the region.”

    Maj. Slover said the Iraqi Army has had a long standing partnership with the Hammam Al-Alil police force and cadre from the Iraqi Police Basic Skills Course.

    “The unity of effort between the IA and IP and the ability to plan, coordinate and execute unilateral operations without Coalition input has produced a tremendous effect in the area,” said Maj. Slover.

    Lt. Col. John Norris, commander, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment , spoke briefly at the ceremony and said is has been a privilege working side-by-side with the Scorpion Battalion.
    “We have sweated and bled together and I am proud to hand over the responsibility and security to these warriors,” Lt. Col. Norris said.

    “From this point forward, the security of the Western Tigris River Valley will be in the capable hands of the Scorpion Battalion,” said Maj. Slover. “This represents yet another benchmark for the independence of the Iraqi government and its military forces.”

     

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