Dahr Jamail

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”

With Ali al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – The security conference held last Saturday in Baghdad produced statements, drew mortar fire, and brought little hope of security. The conference attended by representatives from 13 countries, including Syria, Iran, and the United States, was held inside the heavily fortified “green zone” in central Baghdad. Representatives from Iraq’s six neighboring … Continue reading “Security Meeting Ends; Insecurity Does Not”

BAGHDAD – Reports of the gang-rape of 20-year-old Sabrine al-Janabi by three policemen has set off new demands for justice from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government. Janabi, who lives in the Hai al-Amil area of southern Baghdad with her husband, was taken from her home Feb. 18 to a police station and accused of assisting … Continue reading “Iraq Rape Cases Emerge From the Shadows”

With Ali al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – The lack of security in Iraq is now leading to a collapse in food supplies. "Look at us begging for food despite the fortunes we have," 60-year-old Um Muthanna from Baghdad told IPS. Standing at a vegetable market in central Baghdad where vegetable supplies are not what they used to … Continue reading “Lack of Food Security Threatening Iraq”

With Ali al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – Violence and bombings have only increased after the proposed "surge" of 21,500 U.S. troops in Iraq. U.S. troops presence has averaged 142,000 soldiers a month since the occupation began nearly four years ago. Through this period, violence has increased against both them and the Iraqi civilian population. Despite promises of … Continue reading “Surge in Violence Accompanies Proposed Surge in Troops”

with Ali al-Fadhily NAJAF, Iraq – Iraqi government lies over the killing of hundreds of Shi’ites in an attack on Sunday stand exposed by independent investigations carried out by IPS in Iraq. Conflicting reports had arisen earlier on how and why a huge battle broke out around the small village Zarqa, located just a few … Continue reading “Official Lies Over Najaf Battle Exposed”

BAGHDAD – Violence is spreading further across Iraq, as Shi’ite Arab tribes in the south begin to engage occupation forces in new armed resistance. Resistance in the southern parts of Iraq has been escalating over the last three months, leading to increased casualties among British and other occupation forces. In the last seven months, at … Continue reading “Southern Iraqi Tribes Joining Armed Resistance”

with Ali al-Fadhily FALLUJAH – A stepped up military offensive that targets mosques, religious leaders and Islamic customs is leading many Iraqis to believe that the US-led invasion really was a "holy war." Photographs are being circulated of black crosses painted on mosque walls and on copies of the Quran, and of soldiers dumping their … Continue reading “The War Becomes More Unholy”

With Ali al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – Expressions of outrage over the conduct of the trial and the manner of Saddam Hussein’s rushed, chaotic execution are continuing unabated here as lawyers and human rights groups voice their criticism – although some are still cautiously asking the media to withhold their names from publication. Iraqi and international legal … Continue reading “Furor Over Saddam’s Execution Continues Unabated”

BAGHDAD – The U.S. administration continues to tout Iraq as a shining example of democracy in the Middle East, but press freedom in Iraq has plummeted since the beginning of the occupation. Repression of free speech in Iraq was already extreme under the regime of Saddam Hussein. The 2002 Press Freedom Index of the watchdog … Continue reading “Iraqi Media Under Growing Siege”