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Operations
Deployments
US Policy
United Nations
Reconstruction Issues
Foreign Reactions
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 27 Mar 2008 [PDF]
• MND-B Soldier attacked by IED (Baghdad)
• Terrorists Launch Indirect-Fire Attacks in Baghdad AFPS 27 Mar 2008 -- Terrorists launched 11 indirect-fire attacks against civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces in Baghdad today.
• Marines, Sailors Help Iraqi Refinery Workers AFPS 27 Mar 2008 -- Marines and sailors delivered the first batch of personal protection equipment, valued at $118,000, to employees of the Northern Petroleum Co. at the K3 Oil refinery here March 25.
• Airmen destroy UXOs risen from the desert depths AFPN 27 Mar 2008 -- Plums of smoke rose in the sky as Airman from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron used C4 to detonate 13 piles of ordnance here March 26.
• Combat truckers haul cargo through dangerous roads AFPN 27 Mar 2008 -- After driving 10.9 million miles while coming under attack by the enemy 268 times during 909 convoy missions, Airmen from the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron have earned 10 Purple Hearts, 110 Bronze Stars, and a host of other medals.
• Sather medics prepare for worst, provide their best AFPN 27 Mar 2008

Deployments

• Thousands of German-based US troops en route to Iraq: daily IRNA 27 Mar 2008 -- Around 3,800 German-based US soldiers were to leave Thursday afternoon for war-stricken Iraq, the daily junge Welt newspaper reported.

US Policy

• President Bush thanks Airmen, outlines importance of 'staying the course' in Iraq AFPN 27 Mar 2008 -- "The Air Force was critical in liberating the people of Afghanistan, the people of Iraq, and taking the fight to the enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here at home."
• Iraqi Security Forces Make Progress in Diyala AFPS 27 Mar 2008 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces are making progress in Iraq’s Diyala province through three lines of operation, a military official there said yesterday.
• Bush: Iraq Retreat Would Jeopardize U.S. Strategic Interests AFPS 27 Mar 2008 -- U.S. strategic interests are best served by finishing the job in Iraq, President Bush said today during a visit to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
• Bush Confident of Success in Basra Fighting VOA 27 Mar 2008 -- President Bush says Iraqi security forces fighting in Basra will need time to overcome Shiite militias, but he is confident the government in Baghdad will prevail
• Pentagon Calls Iraq Fighting Good Sign, Analysts Not Convinced VOA 27 Mar 2008 -- The Pentagon says the fighting in Basra between government troops and Shiite militiamen is a good sign because it shows the Iraqi government's resolve and its newfound ability to take on its problems
• Bush Cites Security, Political, Economic Gains in Iraq AFPS 27 Mar 2008 -- The surge of forces has enabled the Iraqi government to realize security, political and economic gains, President Bush said today during a visit to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio.

United Nations

Reconstruction Issues

• Iraq's Sadr Calls for Talks to End Bloodshed VOA 27 Mar 2008 -- Shi'ite radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has called for a political solution to the crisis that has led to fierce fighting between his followers and Iraqi forces in Baghdad and southern Iraq.
• Iraqi PM Vows to Continue Basra Offensive Despite Protests VOA 27 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he will continue the Iraqi military offensive in Basra "to the end" with no negotiations or retreat, despite angry protests in Shi'ite districts calling for his resignation
• $14.7 million of equipment is received by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence (Baghdad) MNF-I 27 Mar 2008 -- The Ministry of Defence is continuing to receive logistical support vehicles it has procured through the Foreign Military Sales program and the Iraqi Security Forces Fund.
• Iraqi PM Vows to Crush Shi'ite Militias VOA 27 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has vowed to pursue Shi'ite militias to the end after three days of fighting in Basra and other cities has left more than 100 people dead.
• IRAQ: Humanitarian situation deteriorates in Basra IRIN 27 Mar 2008 -- The humanitarian situation and aid operations continued to deteriorate in Basra as heavy fighting between government forces and militiamen of the Mahdi Army led by radical Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr entered its third day, Salih Hmoud, head of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society’s office in Basra, told IRIN.

Foreign Reactions

• UK soldier killed in Iraq reported to be SAS officer IRNA 27 Mar 2008 -- The British soldier killed in Iraq on Wednesday was a member of the UK's special forces, it was reported Thursday.
• Russia urges Iraq's political, religious leaders to end violence RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2008 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday called on Iraq's political and religious leaders to step up efforts to end violence in the country.

News Reports

• Bomb Damages Oil Pipeline in Basra VOA 27 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi officials say a bomb struck an oil pipeline Thursday in the southern city of Basra, where Iraqi forces are battling Shi'ite militias for a third day.