Ali al-Fadhily

BAGHDAD – Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis driven out of their country by violence are now faced with detention abroad, or a homecoming to death threats. More than two million Iraqis, in a population of about 25 million, have taken refuge in many countries. Only a few have won official status as refugees. Most refugees … Continue reading “Refugees Caught Between Deportation and Death Threats”

RAMADI, Iraq – A semblance of calm belies an undercurrent of violence, detentions and fear across Iraq’s volatile Anbar province. The province – which occupies one-third of Iraq’s geographic area – has been a bane to authorities since the beginning of the occupation. "The Americans talked about our province as the deadliest enemy, and suddenly … Continue reading “A Tenuous ‘Peace’ in Anbar”

DIWANIYAH, Iraq – Detentions have become commonplace in Iraq, but now more than ever before people are being detained after being accused of membership in "militias supported by Iran." "Hundreds of our men were detained and accused of being militiamen supported by Iran," Mahmood Allawi, a 50-year-old lawyer from Diwaniyah, 160 km south of Baghdad, … Continue reading “Detentions Escalate in Diwaniyah”

BAGHDAD – The executions of former regime officials are creating greater division, rather than reconciliation, among Iraqis. Special courts formed by the American occupation authorities in Iraq are issuing death sentences – like that carried out on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, on 30 December 2006 – on what many Iraqis are interpreting as a … Continue reading “Executions Not Leading to Iraqi Reconciliation”

BAGHDAD – Increasing conflict and finger pointing between leading Shi’ite political blocs are heightening instability in war-torn Iraq. "It is said in the Arab world that if thieves were not seen while stealing, they would be seen while dividing the loot," Wayil Hikmet, an Iraqi historian in Baghdad told IPS. "That is what goes for … Continue reading “Shi’ite Infighting Increases Instability”

FALLUJAH – Three years after a devastating U.S.-led siege of the city, residents of Fallujah continue to struggle with a shattered economy and infrastructure and a lack of mobility. The city that was routed in November 2004 is still suffering the worst humanitarian conditions under a siege that continues. Although military actions are down to … Continue reading “Fallujah Now Under a Different Kind of Siege”

BAGHDAD – The separation of religious groups in the face of sectarian violence has brought some semblance of relative calm to Baghdad. But many Iraqis see this as the uncertain consequence of a divide and rule policy. Claims are going the rounds that sectarian violence in Iraq has fallen, and that the U.S. military "surge" … Continue reading “Baghdad: A Tale of One City, Now Two”

BAGHDAD – Despite claims by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Bush administration officials that violence in Iraq is decreasing, residents in the capital tell a different story. Attacks by Iraqi resistance groups against the US military continue in Baghdad and Iraq’s al-Anbar province, despite US military support for certain Sunni militias in the areas. … Continue reading “Fewer Deaths in Iraq Bring No Reassurance”

BAGHDAD – The recent attacks by Blackwater mercenaries in Baghdad are far from the first – and many believe they will not be the last. Seventeen Iraqis were killed Sept. 16, and another 27 were wounded at Nisoor square in western Baghdad when mercenaries from the company opened fire on them. Dozens of witnesses said … Continue reading “When Blackwater Kills,
No Questions Asked”

BAGHDAD – Resistance to occupation seems to have risen after the assassination last month of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, head of the al-Bu Risha tribe. Abu Risha had begun to cooperate actively with US forces. Abu Risha was killed Sep. 13 when a bomb exploded outside his house in the restive al-Anbar province to the … Continue reading “Assassination of Sheikh Shakes US Claims”