http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iraq/ en-us Sat, 2 Jan 2010 23:45:46 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419724/posts CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — December was the first month since the Iraq war began in which there were no American combat deaths, a milestone hailed by military officials Friday as they inaugurated a new name for the U.S. force at the start of the year that will see the war wind down in earnest. Henceforth, the Multinational Force-Iraq will officially be called the United States Force-Iraq, in belated recognition of the fact that for some time there have been no other nations serving alongside U.S. troops in the nearly 7-year-old conflict. British, Australian and Romanian soldiers pulled out in July,... The Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419724/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 23:45:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418388/posts An Iranian opposition website today said the government was moving troops and armoured military vehicles to the capital on the day supporters of opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi planned to hold a rally. RTE News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418388/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:04:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419382/posts The string of deadly bombings against government buildings and Shiite landmarks in Baghdad that began last August provides a startling reminder that the Qaeda-associated Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) remains a clear danger to Iraq’s long-term stability. The three sets of multiple attacks that took place on August 19, October 25, and December 8—the three deadliest attacks since 2007—killed at least 362 people and wounded over 1,233. In an otherwise continuously improving security situation, the ISI claimed responsibility for the spectacular, headline-grabbing attacks in an effort to embarrass the Iraqi government, intensify Sunni disgruntlement with the current political establishment and... Jamestown Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419382/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 08:28:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419374/posts There's good news and bad news for 2010. The good news is that there is a real hero of freedom in Iraq: a member of the Iraqi parliament named Mithal al-Alusi. In the Iraq war, one thing most Americans have wondered about is who really stands for the people and who, if anybody, still harbors those glowing embers of freedom that ultimately overthrew Soviet totalitarianism. (That's the one our kids don't learn about in school anymore because it might make America look good.) Is it really true that Iraqis wanted their freedom after three decades of Saddam Hussein's brutal fascism?... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419374/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 07:01:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419200/posts Friday, 01 January 2010 17:32 BAGHDAD – Multi-National Security Transition Command –Iraq held its final ceremony on Phoenix Base here, Dec 31. Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, the final MNSTC-I commander, recognized the command’s contributions to a safer, more secure Iraq since 2004 to an audience of distinguished Iraqi officials, U.S. servicemembers and civilians. Among the honored guests were Minister of Defense Secretary Salih Sarhan, Mr. Al Husseini, senior advisor to Defense and Security Council Chairman Hadi Al Ameri, and Lt. Gen. Al Awadi, Federal Police commissioner. Army Gen. David Petraeus was the first MNSTC-I commander when it activated June... U.S. Forces Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419200/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:45:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419196/posts Press Release 20100101-01 January 1, 2010 BAGHDAD – December passed without any servicemembers being killed in action. This was the first month in the history of Operation Iraqi Freedom without any U.S. military being killed in combat. Three USF-I troops did die from non-combat related incidents. “We enter the new year with mixed emotions. While we are thankful that no troops were killed in action in December, we are equally mindful of those who have lost their lives while serving our nation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, and all that have lost a loved one in... U.S. Forces Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419196/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:40:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419190/posts WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2010 – Progress in Iraq will continue as American forces draw down in the next year, U.S. commanders in Iraq said today. Army Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, spoke about current conditions in Iraq during a press conference in Baghdad. Odierno said December marked the first month since the war started in 2003 with no U.S. battle casualties. “We had three non-battle deaths, but we had zero battle deaths due to combat operations,” he said. Iraqi forces are doing well in dealing with... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419190/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:31:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419187/posts WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2010 – The new year brought a new command to Iraq as Multinational Forces Iraq furled its colors, replaced by U.S. Forces Iraq during a ceremony at the al-Faw Palace in Baghdad. The new command “represents another important milestone in the drawdown of American forces,” said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of U.S. Central Command during the ceremony. American forces will draw down by more than half in the next eight months. There are currently 110,000 U.S. servicemembers in Iraq today. By the end of August that number will be below 50,000, Petraeus said. Petraeus... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419187/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:29:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419145/posts Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq said Friday that it will file a lawsuit against five Blackwater security guards cleared of manslaughter charges in the 2007 killing of 17 Iraqi civilians, an act a government official called murder. The Iraqi government also will ask the U.S. Justice Department to appeal a federal judge's "unfair and unacceptable" dismissal of the charges Thursday, spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said. An Iraqi man wounded in the 2007 incident also voiced his anger Friday, saying U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina's dismissal of the charges showed "disregard for Iraqi blood." Urbina found Thursday that prosecutors wrongly used the... CNN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419145/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 21:08:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419098/posts White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer writes on the White House blog in response to Cheney's criticism: I think we all agree that there should be honest debate about these issues, but it is telling that Vice President Cheney and others seem to be more focused on criticizing the Administration than condemning the attackers. What is telling, is how it took 4 days for the Administration to figure out how to address the recent terror plot, and only hours to confront Cheney. In the next paragraph, Pfeiffer does as all good Obamadsmen do: Blame the previous administration for where we... Flopping Aces http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419098/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 19:52:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419053/posts "December 1st month without US combat death in Iraq" Fri Jan 1, 9:28 am ET BAGHDAD – December was the first month since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq nearly seven years ago in which no U.S. forces died in combat in the country. Gen. Ray Odierno called it a significant milestone and said it speaks to how the violence in Iraq has diminished. Odierno is the commanding general in Iraq. There were three U.S. troops who died in December as a result of non-combat related incidents. According to an Associated Press count, 149 U.S. troops died in Iraq in 2009.... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419053/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 18:27:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418878/posts WASHINGTON -- A federal judge dismissed all charges yesterday against five private Blackwater security guards accused of killing unarmed Iraqi civilians in Baghdad in 2007. The shooting left 17 Iraqis dead and inflamed anti-American sentiment abroad. The Iraqi government had wanted the guards to face trial in Iraq. Judge Ricardo Urbina said the prosecutors ignored the advice of Justice Department officials and improperly built their case on sworn statements that had been given under a promise of immunity. Urbina said the government's explanations were "contradictory, unbelievable and lacking in credibility." NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418878/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 11:07:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418770/posts Gen. David Petraeus, former U.S. commander in Iraq, reportedly is “absolutely certain” that British hostage Peter Moore was held secretly in Iran for part of his 31-month ordeal. Petraeus’s claim is likely to intensify the bitter diplomatic relationship between London and Tehran. Moore, an IT consultant, was set free Wednesday after the United States handed over an Iraqi insurgent suspected of planning the deaths of five American servicemen. He was released by the League of the Righteous, or Asaib al-Haq (AAH) – an extremist Shia group allied to Iran – and his first night of freedom was spent at the... The Times/Fox http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418770/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 03:04:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418704/posts 12/31/2009 - CAMP UR, Iraq (AFNS) -- Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are bringing the goal of independent Iraqi operations to reality at Camp Ur, Iraq. In December, Ali Base firefighters assisted their Iraqi counterparts toward self-sufficiency through numerous training sessions and skills tests. With the assistance of Air Force Logistics Military Advisory Team personnel, Airmen from the 407th ECES Fire Department visited firefighters at Camp Ur throughout the month training them in the latest firefighting techniques and proper driving, care and maintenance of a new 46,000 pound fire truck, recently provided to them. The Iraqis are... Air Force News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418704/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:31:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418680/posts CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009 – Army Staff Sgt. Brain K. Pascual likes to get out and tell soldiers about their re-enlistment options as part of his work as a career counselor in Iraq. Army Staff Sgt. Brian K. Pascual, career counselor, discusses career options with Army Spc. Devin D. Lowder. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Maurice A. Galloway  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Assigned to the 308th Brigade Support Battalion, 17th Fires Brigade, Pascual is one of 70 Army career counselors deployed throughout Multinational Force Iraq. The Waipahu, Hawaii, native has met his retention goals... Face of Defense http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418680/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:53:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418666/posts JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009 – Members of the U.S. Air Force Theater Hospital here are training Iraqi defense ministry medical personnel as part of the new American-Iraqi Air Medical Evacuation and Medical Provider Training Course. The training enables Iraqis to study burn care as well as to observe and practice proper medical evacuation techniques. Classes are scheduled every two weeks. Topics vary to achieve the goal of helping the Iraqi Ministry of Defense strengthen its military medical program. “The ultimate goal of this military-military medical capacity-building program is to help establish an Iraqi military air medical evacuation... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418666/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:35:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418630/posts To honor our brave men and women in the military, we list below the names of the fallen. This post identifies these wonderful souls by name, listing the heroes who sacrificed everything for you and I. This is the list author and Conservative American talk radio star Mark Levin spoke of and listed on his website. They gave their lives to protect and preserve our freedom. We thank them, we remember them and we honor them. Unlike other lists you may see, our list includes deaths from both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as well as other military deaths (including... Conservative American org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418630/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:21:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418621/posts KABUL, Afghanistan — It’s an eight-year-old war already, and in spite of a planned surge that promises to bring it to an end, it’s still tough for those who have to be there.Especially at this time of the year — the Christmas Season, including today’s feast of the Epiphany and ending with next Sunday’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord.It’s a time of the year when military chaplains, rare at any time, are perhaps even more important.“Christmas in a combat zone is often lonely,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Timothy Parker, who spent one Christmas deployed in Iraq. But... NC Register http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418621/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:53:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418587/posts AP via SFGate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418587/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:39:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418540/posts The US has released the leader of an Iranian-backed Shia terror group behind the kidnapping and murder of five US soldiers in Karbala in January 2007. Qais Qazali, the leader of the Asaib al Haq, or the League of the Righteous, was set free by the US military and transferred to Iraqi custody in exchange for the release of British hostage Peter Moore, US military officers and intelligence officials told The Long War Journal. The US military directly implicated Qais in the kidnapping and murder of five US soldiers in Karbala in January 2007. “We let a very dangerous man... The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418540/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:18:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418292/posts Did Saddam Hussein's fall and the formation of a fledging democracy in Iraq encourage and embolden regime-threatening dissent in Iran? The anti-Iraq War crowd, many of whom suffer from Give-George-W.-Bush-No Credit-for-Anything Disease, says, "No, of course not." How dare anyone even suggest that the former President was correct, if not about the rightfulness of the war itself, then about his argument that a "free and peaceful" Iraq would provide a "dramatic and inspiring example" to the Middle East and the Muslim world. Good Lord! The Iraq War-achieved-zero crowd begrudged Bush nothing even after the democratic Cedar Revolution in Lebanon. Never... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418292/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:40:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2418208/posts Every time I write about tank sales I get the comment that Iraq should buy armored personnel carriers instead. The commenter always says they are less threatening to the neighbors and more useful for internal security. 1. Appeasement is a western concept and has failed repeatedly. Weakness is an invite to invasion in the mid-east mentality. 2. Tanks are a measure of power in the mid-east. Power makes enemies lay low in the mid-east. 3. Iraq has been buying armored personnel carriers and other vehicles for internal security. They have plenty in their inventory or on order already. Montrose Toast http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2418208/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:32:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418169/posts The British hostage Peter Moore was dramatically set free yesterday after the United States handed over an Iraqi insurgent suspected of planning the deaths of five American servicemen. Mr Moore, an IT consultant, was freed by League of the Righteous, or Asaib al-Haq (AAH) — an extremist Shia group allied to Iran — after 31 months and spent his first night of freedom at the British Embassy in Baghdad. He is expected to fly home today. Times on line http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418169/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:24:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418016/posts <Members of the Iraqi Police hand out book bags with school supplies for Iraqi schoolchildren during a combined humanitarian mission in the Faylaq neighborhood of Kirkuk, Dec. 22. Photo by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs, 1st Armored Division. KIRKUK — To help with their education, three hundred Iraqi children near here in the village of Faylaq were treated to a surprise donation of school necessities, Dec. 22. In an effort to improve education here, Iraqi Police and members of the Atyah Women's Organization (AWO), assisted by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, donated the school supplies for the children.This humanitarian... Multi-National Force-Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418016/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:16:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418012/posts KIRKUK — To better understand the root cause of domestic violence, Iraqi Police, Pena Women's Cultural Center members and U.S forces conducted a meeting on the subject here, Dec. 21. Domestic violence is any form of physical, non-physical or sexual abuse, which takes place either in or outside of the home, according to James, a law-enforcement specialist working with 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment. At this meeting the participants discussed how the IP could better deal with victims reporting domestic violence, causes of domestic violence, the cycle of violence, different support services and the effects of domestic violence on children,... Multi-National Force-Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418012/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:11:30 GMT