Zarqawi assistant arrested in Baghdad
Iraq, Politics, 2/28/2006

The Iraqi police forces detained a prominent assistant for the leader of al-Qaida organization in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, while the ministry of defense deployed armored vehicles in the streets of Baghdad in precaution for more tension, in light of recent national tension.

The Iraqi government TV said that the Iraqi ministry of the interior forces detained Abu Farouk, one of the main assistants to Zarqawi, within other five, during breaking in operations in Ramadi city, west of Baghdad.

On the other hand, the Iraqi defense ministry announced that the deployment of vehicles in Baghdad's streets aims at protection of civilians from any aggression, noting that "these forces will hoist the Iraqi flag as a symbol of national unity."

Lt. Abdul Aziz Muhammad, the director of operations at the ministry of defense, said that "these military vehicles will be in all areas in Baghdad, except the areas of al-Doura, al-Baya, Salman Bak, Abu Dsheir, al-Amel, and Bilat al-Shuhada, because these areas have forces from the ministry of interior."

On the other hand, Lt. Gen. Abdul Aziz Muhammad said that "instructions were issued from the Iraqi government to the security forces to arrest anyone carrying a weapon no matter what political or religious group they belong to."

The Iraqi official explained that there is coordination with the political leaders and men of religion with the aim to find out a formula to dismantle weapons and prevent armed manifestations in the street," noting that there is one armored squad, which are prepared and waiting orders from the prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

Despite the valid curfew on Sunday, the attacks and explosions in various parts of the country during the past 24 hours claimed the life of 26 Iraqis. The most violent attack took place in southern Baghdad where some 19 Iraqis were killed and other 45 injured including women and children in an attack by shelling in al-Seydeyah and Abu Dshir quarters.

Previous Stories:
  Saddam meets his lawyer ends food strike   (2/27/2006)
  Calm in Baghdad after end of curfew   (2/27/2006)
  Call for easing tension and unity in Iraq   (2/27/2006)
  More Iraqis were killed despite calls for erase down   (2/27/2006)
  Rice confident Iraq would achieve unity government   (2/25/2006)
  Cautious calm in Iraq   (2/25/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search