Ali al-Fadhily

A May 29 IPS report on clashes between Kurdish Peshmerga troops and militiamen of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Baghdad has been confirmed by an Iraqi member of Parliament, representing the Sunni-led Iraqi Accordance Front (Al-Tawafuq). Speaking on condition of strict anonymity inside the heavily-fortified Green Zone of central Baghdad where the Iraqi government meets, … Continue reading “Iraqi Lawmaker Confirms Kurd-Shia Clashes in Baghdad”

BAGHDAD – With the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq in its fifth year, one leading study estimates that more than 655,000 Iraqis have been killed – with no end to the violence yet in sight. Left behind are loved ones who continue to mourn their loss, as well as what might have been. Iraq was once … Continue reading “In Iraq, Broken Lives and Broken Hearts”

FALLUJAH – The city that was mostly destroyed by the U.S. military operation Phantom Fury in November 2004 has been under curfew for over two weeks, with no signs of relief. Located 45 mi. west of Baghdad, the city made headlines when four Blackwater USA security mercenaries were killed and their bodies horrifically mutilated on … Continue reading “Anger Builds in Fallujah Over Security Crackdown”

BAGHDAD – Reports of the poor health among high-ranking Iraqi politicians are being seen as symbolic of the popular mood here about the US-backed government. In late February, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was flown to neighboring Jordan for medical treatment amid conflicting reports about his health. Sources in Amman and from Talabani’s office in Baghdad … Continue reading “Sick of Iraq’s Government”

BAGHDAD – A massacre by members of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi army on Sunni worshippers earlier this month sparked clashes between patrolling Kurdish militiamen in southwest Baghdad and the Mahdi army, raising tensions that fighting between the groups could spread. Sadr, who emerged from hiding Friday, delivered a fiery anti-occupation sermon at a mosque … Continue reading “Kurds and Shia Fight for Power in Baghdad”

SAMARRA – At least 10 residents have died as the result of a curfew imposed by the U.S.-backed Iraqi government, local doctors say. Residents in this city of 300,000 located 125 km north of Baghdad have been struggling to find food, water, and medical supplies. Vehicles have been banned from entering or leaving the city … Continue reading “Curfew Begins to Choke Samarra”

BAGHDAD – Iraqis blame the U.S. occupation for the failure of two parallel security plans drawn up by U.S. forces and Iraqi troops that failed dramatically with the bombings last week that killed more than 300 people in Baghdad. Under the security plans, additional troops were brought to Baghdad and most city streets were closed. … Continue reading “Iraqis Blame US Occupation for Bloody Week”

BASRA – Oil-rich Basra in the south of Iraq is getting caught up in an increasingly more fierce battle between warring Shi’ite groups. Basra, the second largest city in Iraq with a population of 2.6 million, is the capital city of the southern Basra province, and Iraq’s main port. The largest explored oil reserves in … Continue reading “Basra Splits Between Warring Shi’ites”

BASRA – The eruption of demonstrations in the south of Iraq this week could rob the occupation forces of what was considered a critical bastion of support. The southern areas of Iraq have long been said to be secure, and people there peaceful towards the occupation forces. Iraqis living in the south were also believed … Continue reading “Now the South Erupts”

BAGHDAD – Many Iraqis are now looking to local political leadership to fill wide gaps in a fractured government that is failing to provide security and basic needs. "Iraqis feel lost amongst too many political currents that blew their country away with their narrow sectarian and personal interests," Mohammad Jaafar, a Baghdad-based politician formerly involved … Continue reading “Iraqis Search for Political Leadership”