http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iraqis/ en-us Sat, 2 Aug 2008 18:54:39 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055443/posts Short video of the good in Iraq Floppingaces.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055443/posts#comment Sat, 2 Aug 2008 18:54:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1007969/posts IN A LITTLE-NOTICED DECISION in a New York courtroom on September 25, 2003, a man described as Osama bin Laden's "best friend" got some good news. U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Batts ruled that Mahmdouh Mahmud Salim could not be sentenced to life in prison. Salim--who was present at the founding of al Qaeda in 1989 and who was for years one of bin Laden's most trusted confidants--had been captured in Germany in 1998 and extradited to the United States for prosecution related to his role in the grand conspiracy that resulted in the 1998 bombings at U.S. embassies in... The Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1007969/posts#comment Sat, 25 Oct 2003 17:00:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1988364/posts BAGHDAD - Under strong U.S. pressure, Iraq's presidential council signed off Wednesday on a measure paving the way for provincial elections by the fall, a major step toward easing sectarian rifts as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of the war. The decision by the council, made up of the country's president and two vice presidents, lays the groundwork for voters to choose new leaders of Iraq's 18 provinces. The elections open the door to greater Sunni representation in regional administrations. Many Sunnis boycotted the last election for provincial officials in January 2005, enabling Shiites and Kurds to win a... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1988364/posts#comment Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:59:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980401/posts BAGHDAD — After almost five years of war, many young people in Iraq, exhausted by constant firsthand exposure to the violence of religious extremism, say they have grown disillusioned with religious leaders and skeptical of the faith that they preach. In two months of interviews with 40 young people in five Iraqi cities, a pattern of disenchantment emerged, in which young Iraqis, both poor and middle class, blamed clerics for the violence and the restrictions that have narrowed their lives. “I hate Islam and all the clerics because they limit our freedom every day and their instruction became heavy over... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980401/posts#comment Tue, 4 Mar 2008 22:27:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961920/posts Further survey work undertaken by ORB, in association with its research partner IIACSS, confirms our earlier estimate that over 1,000,000 Iraqi citizens have died as a result of the conflict which started in 2003. Following responses to ORB’s earlier work, which was based on survey work undertaken in primarily urban locations, we have conducted almost 600 additional interviews in rural communities. By and large the results are in line with the ‘urban results’ and we now estimate that the death toll between March 2003 and August 2007 is likely to have been of the order of 1,033,000. If one takes... Opinion Business Research http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961920/posts#comment Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:48:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1954840/posts Iraqi children eat candy canes and play together during a humanitarian aid drop in Mansuriyah, Jan. 13, conducted by the Iraqi Army and Soldiers of Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash. Photo by Spc. John Crosby, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. MANSURIYAH — Operation Raider Harvest, a large scale operation in the Northern Diyala River Valley involving more than 4,000 troops from 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., is shifting focus from a clearing operation to a rebuilding operation. The... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1954840/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:27:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1950412/posts BAGHDAD – Pilgrims traveling from Iraq to Mecca in the annual observance of the Hajj experienced a peaceful travel period this year with no reported violent incidents. At the conclusion of the Hajj travel period, more than 30,000 Iraqi pilgrims will have traveled to and from Mecca by air and ground. Iraqis traveled through six ports of entry during the annual pilgrimage from Dec. 11 through Jan. 7. The pilgrims traveled by air transportation from Baghdad, Irbil, Mosul and Basra while others moved by ground transportation from Safwan and Ara’r. In preparation for Hajj travel, the Mosul airport reopened after... Multi-National Corps – Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1950412/posts#comment Tue, 8 Jan 2008 20:26:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1950064/posts WASHINGTON - U.S. admissions of Iraqi refugees are nose-diving amid bureaucratic in-fighting despite the Bush administration's pledge to boost them to roughly 1,000 per month, according to State Department statistics obtained by The Associated Press. For the third straight month since the United States said it would improve processing and resettle 12,000 Iraqis by the end of the current budget year on Sept. 30., the number admitted has actually slid, the figures show. The steady decline -- from 450 in October to 362 in November and 245 in December -- means the administration will have to allow in 10,943 Iraqis... Baltimore Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1950064/posts#comment Tue, 8 Jan 2008 04:15:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948523/posts PATROL BASE CORREGIDOR, Iraq — When a platoon of soldiers returned to this small Army outpost in Iraqi farmland Thursday afternoon, the group’s leader had 30 requests for business grants. Sitting in a meeting room of Sheik Hatim Mehow’s house, 1st Lt. Wyatt Ottmar had a number of local residents lined up to be questioned why their micro-grant should be approved. Initially expecting 15 applicants, people kept arriving with grant forms filled in until double the number of applicants anticipated arrived, as Ottmar and his senior noncommissioned officer Sgt. 1st Class William Genthner took turns going through the forms and... Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948523/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:44:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941973/posts CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2007 – There must be a “full and complete” partnership between coalition and Iraqi security forces for success in the country, the coalition’s day-to-day commander of ground operations in Iraq said here today. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, spoke as the 1st Cavalry Division – commanded by Army Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil – transferred authority for Multinational Division Baghdad to the 4th Infantry Division – under Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond – during a ceremony here. Odierno said that when the 1st Cavalry took command of the Multinational... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941973/posts#comment Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:43:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1929611/posts BAGHDAD — Iraqi citizens are taking back their streets from extremists by taking security into their own hands. The Iraqi Security Volunteer program, an Iraqi project funded by the government of Iraq, allows volunteers from local communities to protect their own neighborhoods. The ISVs receive a three-day training program at Coalition Outpost War Eagle where they learn some basic vehicle checks and how to conduct themselves on the streets, as well as weapons training with an AK-47. “When you have local citizens patrolling their own streets, they have a sincere interest in keeping it safe,” said 1st Lt. John Suh,... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1929611/posts#comment Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:18:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919252/posts CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, Oct. 31, 2007 – A signing ceremony at the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office here yesterday marked the start of a Multinational Force Iraq initiative to improve the living standards of area citizens through increased employment opportunities. (Left to right) Navy Capts. John Moore and Lynn Brantley, Army Brig. Gen. Steve Anderson and Army Lt. Col. Danny Tilzey discuss the importance of the I-BIZ initiative during a signing ceremony at the Camp Victory, Iraq, Defense Reutilization Management Office, Oct. 30, 2007. Photo by Lt. Frank Solorzano, USN  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Iraqi Business,... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919252/posts#comment Thu, 1 Nov 2007 00:06:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917896/posts I received a press release from Baghdad today, which I know the mainstream media will not pass on to you all. Here is an example of Iraqi charity and gratitude which touched my soul. Imagine how incredibly generous these soldiers are. They have little to support their own families. It’s not enough that they are fighting daily to bring peace to their country. They are actually reaching out to help unfortunate Americans. ...Iraqi Army at Besmaya Installation Support San Diego Fire Victims By U.S. Army Sgt 1st Class Charlene Sipperly Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Public Affairs BAGHDAD, Iraq... OPFOR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917896/posts#comment Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:13:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1912873/posts Video link NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1912873/posts#comment Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:11:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901335/posts About 12,000 Iraqi refugees will be admitted into the United States over the next year as measures to speed up the process begin to take effect, government officials said yesterday. The new target represents an increase in the number and pace of Iraqi refugees entering the country and means that 17 percent of the 70,000 refugees expected to be admitted next year will come from Iraq, officials from the State Department told reporters... In February, State Department officials promised to expand their commitment to Iraqi refugees, but long delays in reviewing applications have drawn sharp criticism.. Officials said that of... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901335/posts#comment Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:10:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/585479/posts Thursday December 6 10:40 PM ET Iraqi National Executed in Okla. By ROCHELLE HINES, Associated Press Writer McALESTER, Okla. (AP) - An Iraqi national who stabbed his wife and her uncle to death in 1992 was executed Thursday. Sahib Al-Mosawi, 53, was sentenced to death in 1994. He did not request a clemency hearing and had no appeals pending. He was executed by injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. He met his wife and her family at a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia after they left Iraq in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War (news - web sites). Their marriage ... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/585479/posts#comment Fri, 7 Dec 2001 05:47:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1896815/posts FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER — Coalition troops teamed with Iraqi policemen and concerned local citizens to rid a major road of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and al-Qaeda cell members during a two-day operation in Tuwaitha. The purpose of the mission was to not just clear the route, but to also establish an Iraqi capability to keep the route safe for civilian and military traffic. Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd (Heavy) Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, currently attached to 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, was met by about 60... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1896815/posts#comment Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:13:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1896758/posts WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2007 – When people ask him why the U.S. military should be helping Iraq establish a free and stable society, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. de Vries cites how France helped the American colonies gain their independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War. De Vries is one of eight servicemembers who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa who have been speaking to American community groups and businesses across the nation as part of the Defense Department’s “Why We Serve” public-outreach program. “If it wasn’t for the French support, with supplies and... Why We Serve http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1896758/posts#comment Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:40:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1334283/posts February 2, 2005 TIJUANA – An American man and two Iraqis arrested at the Tijuana airport last week have been charged with immigration violations, according to Mexican authorities. A Mexican federal judge will determine whether to dismiss the charges or proceed with a trial. The men are being held at a state prison in Tijuana. The three flew to Tijuana from Mexico City Jan. 26 on an Aeromexico flight, but they were stopped by Mexican immigration authorities who inspected their documents, according to Mexican authorities. The Iraqis – later identified as Steven Yohanan Kurkis and Kaml Meti Bashar – showed... signonsandiego.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1334283/posts#comment Wed, 2 Feb 2005 16:04:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894300/posts WASHINGTON - Overwhelming numbers of Iraqis say the U.S. troop buildup has worsened security and the prospects for economic and political progress in their country, according to a poll released Monday that provides a strikingly bleak appraisal of the war. Forty-seven percent want American forces and their coalition allies to leave the country immediately, the survey showed, 12 points more than said so in a March poll as the troop increase was beginning. And 57 percent — including nearly all Sunnis and half of Shiites — said they consider attacks on coalition forces acceptable, a slight increase over the past... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894300/posts#comment Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:32:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894223/posts The Associated Press asked Iraqis for their reactions to some of the key points raised by Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker about the situation in Iraq. ___ Abdul-Salam Ibrahim, 52, retired army officer and Sunni in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown: "What is new today is the American's frank admission, even if they knew that before, of their monumental failure. This is what made them acknowledge that there is Iranian intervention in Iraq. If they stay in Iraq, it will be a catastrophe. Anbar is not the place to judge. That place should be the capital Baghdad, where... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894223/posts#comment Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:48:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892851/posts After leaving a ceremony to reopen the Al Aflaph Elementary School in Salhiyah, Capt. Joseph Guzowski, left, the commander of Troop A, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Staff Sgt. Justin Miller, stop to play a game of foosball with some of the local children. Photo by Spc. Robert Yde, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — One of the biggest changes that Capt. Joseph Guzowski has seen since his last deployment here three years ago is the dramatic transformation of the relationships between Coalition forces and the local... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892851/posts#comment Fri, 7 Sep 2007 23:29:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1889654/posts U.S. Marines with Viking Red Section, Mobile Assault Platoon, Regimental Combat Team 2, observe an Iraqi personal security detachment fire AK-47 rifles on a firing range at Camp Gannon. The Iraqis are training to be personal security officers for local judges. Viking Red Marines Train Iraqis to Keep Judges Safe Troops employ visual cues to bridge language barrier. By Cpl. Eric C. Schwartz 2nd Marine Division CAMP GANNON, Husaybah, Iraq, Aug. 31, 2007 — It’s not news to read that politicians, famous athletes and even entertainers have bodyguards protecting them from dangerous people, but in Iraq, their judges need... Defend America News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1889654/posts#comment Sat, 1 Sep 2007 01:10:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888227/posts BAGHDAD, Aug. 28 — Despite a stepped-up commitment from the United States to take in Iraqis who are in danger because they worked for the American government and military, very few are signing up to go, resettlement officials say. The reason, Iraqis say, is that they are not allowed to apply in Iraq, requiring them to make a costly and uncertain journey to countries like Syria or Jordan, where they may be turned away by border officials already overwhelmed by fleeing Iraqis. The United Nations, which defines a refugee as someone who has fled his or her home country, has... NYTimes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888227/posts#comment Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:19:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887808/posts Angelina Jolie is in Iraq to witness firsthand the humanitarian crisis there, the United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR has announced. The actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, 32, flew from New York to Syria on Monday. In Damascus, she visited a UNHCR registration center and spend hours talking to Iraqi refugees in their homes. Tuesday's journey took her to Iraq to meet with 1,200 refugees camped out in a makeshift outpost at the border, because they are unable to leave the country. She also witnessed dozens of Iraqis crossing into Syria. "I have come to Syria and Iraq to help draw... People http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887808/posts#comment Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:44:28 GMT