26 Iraqis Killed in War Attacks, Rocket Attacks on US-British Forces, According to July 27, 2008 News Reports

Editor's Note:

Only God knows how many Iraqis are killed everyday. The following represents part of the reporting but readers are advised that the actual number of deaths should very much exceed what's reported.

Concerning deaths of US soldiers, only those US citizens who die in Iraq are included in the statistics. There are no published statistics about US soldiers who die of their injuries after that. There are no published statistics about the deaths or injuries of the private army soldiers (security contractors), or about those without US citizenship.

It is noteworthy that May 20, 2008 news reports showed that death squads which execute Iraqis on daily basis are no longer hiding themselves. Previously, Sunni leaders pointed to Mahdi Army and Badr militiamen as the perpetrators. Now, death squads are composed of the US-recruited Sahwa fighters and policemen (which is an opportunity for US forces command to sever relations with these fighters).

Despite the fact that there are scores of organizations involved in the Iraq war, the Iraqi government officials prefer to refer to them as Alqaeda gunmen for propaganda purposes, as mentioned in the June 4, 2008 news report. For accuracy purposes, the term "Alqaeda gunmen" may be replaced with "Iraqi fighters."

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Yaqen.net reported the following news:

- Four US-backed Iraqi soldiers were killed, three were injured in fighting against Iraqi fighters in Makhmour district, in Ninawa Province. Three Iraqi fighters were also killed.

- Two security guards of an official of the Islamic Party, which is part of the US-backed coalition, were killed when the official was targeted for assassination.

- Al-Rashideen Army fighters rocketed a US base in Al-Taji with mortars.

- British base in Basra airport was rocketed by Iraqi fighters.

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News Summary

BAGHDAD, July 27 (VOI) –

Following is a summary of news reports posted until 10:00 p.m. Baghdad local time Sunday:

* Politics & Security:

Ninewa, Police forces on Sunday arrested one gunman and defused eight roadside bombs in Ninewa, a security spokesman said.

ANBAR, A member of a Sunni political bloc escaped an assassination attempt in Anbar on Sunday according to a statement released by the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP).

BAGHDAD, A civilian man was killed and three others wounded on Sunday when Sahwa (Awakening) tribal fighters exchanged fire with policemen in the area of al-Fadl, central Baghdad, an Iraqi police source said.

BAGHDAD, A U.S troops commander on Sunday said Iraqi troops are preparing to launch a large-scale offensive in the volatile province of Diala in August.

BAGHDAD, Gunmen hiding in reeds in a town south of Baghdad killed seven Shi'i pilgrims Sunday as they were marching to a shrine in the capital for a major holiday, a police source said.

BAGHDAD, Gunmen shot a senior police commander in Baghdad while driving home on Sunday, a police source said.

SALAH AL-DIN. Security forces captured two gunmen suspected of an involvement in killing an Iraq female journalist in Sammara,south of Salah al-Din, a security commander said on Sunday.

BAGHDAD, Iraqi military spokesman on Sunday denied reports of Shi'i pilgrims killing in a town south of Baghdad.
AM

News Summary

National - Voices of Iraq
Sunday , 27 /07 /2008 Time 10:12:31
BAGHDAD, July 27 (VOI) –

Following is a summary of news reports posted until 4:00 p.m. Baghdad local time Sunday:

* Politics & Security:

KIRKUK, Two Iraqi army personnel were killed in an explosive charge attack that targeted their patrol in southwestern Kirkuk, a local official source said on Sunday.

BASRA, A civilian was wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his car in western Basra city, a police source said on Sunday.

DIALA, Two personnel from the Oil Facilities Protection (OFP) force were killed when an improvised explosive device went off in the district of Buhrez on Sunday, a police source in Diala province said.

NINEWA, Unidentified gunmen killed the imam (religious leader) of the Shaikh Khalid Mosque in central Mosul on Sunday, a security source from Ninewa province said.

AE/SR

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Iraq War Report for events of Saturday, 26 July 2008.

Translated and/or compiled by Muhammad Abu Nasr,

member, editorial board, the Free Arab Voice.

Saturday, 26 July 2008.

·        US troops kill Iraqi driver near al-Fallujah Saturday afternoon.

·        Iraqi tribal chiefs set up trucking company to serve US occupation, protecting American troops from attack, simplifying US logisitics.

·        US troops arrest “Awakening” police for dereliction of duty following bomb explosion near US patrol in Samarra’.

·        US-backed tribal “Awakening” police in Diyala Province threaten to fight for al-Qa‘idah if US fails to increase their pay.

·        In continued preparations for US attack on Iran, British, Iraqi regime forces eight pro-Iranian Shi‘i-sectarian militiamen in raids, searches in al-Basrah.

Al-Anbar Province.
Al-Fallujah.

US troops kill Iraqi driver near al-Fallujah Saturday afternoon.

In a dispatch posted at 6:15pm Baghdad time Saturday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that soldiers in a US patrol near al-Fallujah, 60km west of Baghdad, shot and killed an Iraqi driver who was approaching them.

Yaqen reported an officer in the local police in al-Karmah, 7km east of al-Fallujah, as saying that a man in a car got within 200 meters of a US patrol at about 2:30pm local time Saturday afternoon. The Americans regarded the approaching car as a potential threat and opened fire, killing the driver. The source, who believed the shooting to have been unnecessary, said that the driver was found dead on the scene with a bullet wound to the head.

Baghdad.

Bomb wounds three policemen, three civilians in eastern Baghdad Saturday afternoon.

In a dispatch posted at 4:20pm Baghdad time Saturday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a bomb exploded in the Camp Sarah area of eastern Baghdad after noon on Saturday.

Yaqen reported a source in the government police as saying that the blast wounded one government policeman, two “Awakening” tribal police, and three civilians.

Iraqi security forces arrest 53 people in Baghdad over 48-hour period.

In a dispatch posted at 3:30pm Baghdad time Saturday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that Iraqi regime forces had arrested 53 people in Baghdad in the previous 48 hours.

Yaqen reported Major General Qasim ‘Ata as saying that the Iraqi government police and army had arrested 40 “wanted” persons and incarcerated 13 “suspects” in the course of raids in various areas of Baghdad in the previous two days. ‘Ata added that the government troops had also freed one kidnapped hostage and seized quantities of arms, ammunition, and explosives – mostly of Iranian manufacture – as well as 11 cars without title papers (probably stolen or smuggled into the country).

Iraqi tribal chiefs set up trucking company to serve US occupation, protecting American troops from attack, simplifying US logisitics.

In a dispatch posted at 12:45pm Baghdad time Saturday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that Iraqi tribal shaykhs have established four private transportation companies, collectively known as the Iraqi Transportation Network (ITN). The tribal chiefs established the ITN to haul cargoes for the American occupation forces to all parts of Iraq, guaranteeing that the goods would arrive safely and completely and taking full responsibility for any losses.

Yaqen reported that the tribal leaders have recruited drivers from members of their tribes after checking their backrounds. About 97 percent of drivers who applied to work for the ITN were accepted. The ITN is the first attempt in 30 or 40years to establish a private company for logistical support in the country.

Yaqen quoted a US military commander as hailing the great importance of the new tribal ITN. Noting in effect that it would promote the economic development of Iraq under the US umbrella.

The ITN expects that in a few years its income will come from civilian transport, but at present most of its work will consist in trucking supplies to and from US bases in the country.

At present the tribal truckers plan to serve US bases in al-Anbar and Salah ad-Din Provinces and Jordan but hope to expand their operations by extending service to the central part of the country by September, and to the American bases in northern Iraq by October, a planned expansion of 300 percent in just a few months.

The tribal truckers carry loads such as food and water, building materials, wood, concrete security barriers, and containers. They operate without any military escort and so far have never suffered any attack or accident resulting in a loss of cargo. Thanks to the tribal business initiative, the US commander said, the Americans have greatly reduced their need to send out military convoys and no longer to the occupation forces have to dispatch an average of 20 troops with each shipment of goods – a costly and often dangerous undertaking.

Bomb explodes by Iraqi army patrol Saturday morning; two soldiers, one civilian injured.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 5:18pm Saturday afternoon Beijing time (12:18pm in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that a bomb exploded by an Iraqi army patrol in the as-Salikh area of northern Baghdad before noon Saturday.

Xinhua reported a source in the police as saying that the blast wounded two of the troops in the patrol and one civilian who happened to be in the area. A patrol vehicle was also damaged in the blast.

Bomb targets sanitation workers in Baghdad, wounding two.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 5:18pm Saturday afternoon Beijing time (12:18pm in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that a bomb exploded by city sanitation workers going about their jobs in the al-Jihad neighborhood in western Baghdad.

Xinhua reported a source in the police as saying that the explosion wounded two of the sanitation workers and severely damaged a bulldozer belonging to the Baghdad municipality.

US claims capture of 21 members of al-Qa‘idah Thursday, Friday.

In a dispatch posted on its Arabic website at 5:18pm Saturday afternoon Beijing time (12:18pm in Baghdad), the Xinhua News Agency reported that the US army had announced that its troops had captured 21 members of the al-Qa‘idah organization in operations aimed at breaking up cells of that organization in central and northern Iraq on Thursday and Friday.

Xinhua reported an American communiqué as saying that the Americans also seized quantities of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and bomb-making materials.

Salah ad-Din Province.
Samarra’.

US troops arrest “Awakening” police for dereliction of duty following bomb explosion near US patrol in Samarra’.

In a dispatch posted at 7:20pm Baghdad time Saturday evening, the Yaqen News Agency reported that US occupation forces arrested 14 members of the American-funded tribal “Awakening” police following a bomb explosion by a US patrol in the al-Jubayriyah area of Samarra’, 120km north of Baghdad.

Yaqen reported a source in the Samarra’ Support Committee as saying that the Americans arrested the men for failing to provide proper protection for the American troops, one of the main jobs of the “Awakening” police.

The source said that a heat bomb exploded by an American patrol in the al-Jubayriyah neighborhood of Samarra’, inflicting a number of casualties in the ranks of the American troops. The Americans closed off the entire area for a day following the blast, preventing normal movement.

Balad.

Resistance group claims mortar attack on US “Camp Anaconda.”

In a dispatch posted at 4:45pm Baghdad time Saturday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that the Iraqi resistance group that calls itself the Brigades of the 1920 Revolution, a constituent member of the Jihad and Change Front, issued a communiqué on Saturday.

Yaqen reported the communiqué as saying that Brigade fighters had fired three mortar shells at the US-occupied al-Bakr Air Base near Balad, 68km north of Baghdad. The communiqué claimed that the barrage inflicted serious damage on the facility, called “Camp Anaconda” by the Americans. The communiqué gave no indication as to when the alleged attack had taken place.

Diyala Province.
Ba‘qubah.

US-backed tribal “Awakening” police in Diyala Province threaten to fight for al-Qa‘idah if US fails to increase their pay.

In a dispatch posted at 12:45pm Makkah time Saturday afternoon, Mafkarat al-Islam reported that tribal “Awakening” police in Diyala Province have threatened to return to the ranks of al-Qa‘idah and fight against the US occupation if the Americans do not increase their salaries.

Mafkarat al-Islam reported Colonel ‘Abd as-Sattar, commander of the Diyala “Awakening,” as saying that he would not hesitate to return to al-Qa‘idah if his demands for a pay raise go unanswered. ‘Abd as-Sattar said he needed the additional funds to encourage his men to carry out more security operations against the hideouts of al-Qa‘idah in the province.

Mafkarat al-Islam quoted an American commander in Diyala Province as saying that the US occupation authorities pay the “Awakening” policemen a monthly salary of US$300 and that their work consists mostly of conducting searches and patrols, and standing guard for US forces.

Ninwa Province.
Al-Mawsil.

Policeman killed in clash with gunmen in al-Mawsil.

In a dispatch posted at 5:37pm Baghdad time Saturday afternoon, the Yaqen News Agency reported that gunmen battled Iraqi government police in the al-Yarmuk area of western al-Mawsil, 420km northwest of Baghdad, on Saturday.

Yaqen reported a source in the police as saying that the clash left one member of a police patrol dead.

Since 10 May, the US and its Iraqi regime allies have been waging an offensive against the Sunni sectarian al-Qa‘idah organization in al-Mawsil and surrounding Ninwa Province.

Karbala’ Province.
Karbala’.

Bomb wounds nine in Karbala’ Friday evening.

In a dispatch posted at 10:20am Baghdad time Saturday morning, the Yaqen News Agency reported that a bomb that had been planted inside a minibus in the city of Karbala’, 110km southwest of Baghdad, exploded at 8pm, local time, on Friday evening.

Yaqen reported a source in the city Health Department as saying that the bomb wounded nine people. The blast occurred just 500 meters from the Maqam al-Imam al-‘Abbas shrine. Iraqi government troops cordoned off the area and prevented onlookers from approaching as ambulances took the victims to hospitals.

Al-Basrah Province.
Al-Basrah.

In continued preparations for US attack on Iran, British, Iraqi regime forces eight pro-Iranian Shi‘i-sectarian militiamen in raids, searches in al-Basrah.

In a dispatch posted at 12:20am Baghdad time Sunday morning, the Yaqen News Agency reported that Iraqi army forces backed up by British occupation troops conducted raids and searches in the al-‘Awjah and Nahr Khawz areas of Abu al-Khasib and the an-Najibiyah areas. In the course of the raids the British and Iraqi regime forces arrested eight members of sectarian religious militias and seized a quantity of newly manufactured Iranian weapons and ammunition.

Yaqen reported a source who asked not to be identified as saying that the raids were part of a campaign launched three days ago that targets the Shi‘i sectarian Iranian-backed Jaysh al-Mahdi militia.

Since March, the US-backed Iraqi regime has been actively engaged in an offensive against the pro-Iranian Sadr Movement and its armed wing, the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, in Iraq, in what is believed to be preparation for an American attack on Iran.

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