March 2008 - Iraq Special Weapons News

28 March 2008 - Iraq Special Weapons News

March 27 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy targets AFPN 28 Mar 2008
Coalition Forces in Iraq Kill 15 Enemy Fighters AFPS 28 Mar 2008 -- Coalition forces killed 15 terrorists and detained 17 suspects during operations today targeting al Qaeda in Iraq elements in Baghdad and in central and northern parts of the country.
Iraqi Militants Kill 2 in Green Zone, While Coalition Drops Bombs in Basra VOA 28 Mar 2008 -- Fighting in Iraq intensified Friday on several fronts. Militants have attacked the U.S.-protected Green Zone in Baghdad, killing two Iraqi guards outside the vice president's office, while U.S.-led coalition forces targeted insurgents in the southern city of Basra and the capital's Sadr City neighborhood.
US-Protected Green Zone Under Attack; Two Killed outside Iraqi Vice President's Office VOA 28 Mar 2008 -- The U.S.-protected "Green Zone" in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, has again come under attack, leaving two Iraqi guards dead outside Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi's office.

President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia The White House 28 Mar 2008
Bush Praises Australia’s Support in Afghanistan, Iraq AFPS 28 Mar 2008 -- President Bush thanked Australia’s prime minister today for his country’s support in the war on terror, praising Australia’s plan to continue assisting Iraq even as it withdraws combat forces there and for continuing to be a solid partner in Afghanistan.
Bush: Upsurge in Violence a 'Defining Moment' for Iraq VOA 28 Mar 2008 -- President Bush says the upsurge in violence in southern Iraq and parts of Baghdad represents a "defining moment" in the history of a free Iraq.
Bush: Iraqi Prime Minister Showing Leadership in Basra AFPS 28 Mar 2008 -- President Bush today called Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s actions against criminals and militants in Basra a demonstration of leadership during a “defining moment in the history of a free Iraq.”

Iraq: UN prepared to provide immediate relief in violence-torn in Basra UN News Centre 28 Mar 2008 -- United Nations humanitarian agencies in Iraq announced today that they are ready to provide assistance in Basra, where a large-scale military operation is under way.

Iraqi Security Forces, Ministries Show Progress AFPS 28 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi security forces and government ministries have made vast improvements in the past year, a senior U.S. Army official in Iraq said yesterday.
Iraqi Forces Focus Operations on Criminal Activity in Basra AFPS 28 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi security forces are focused on reducing criminal activity in Basra, Iraq, Multinational Force Iraq’s deputy chief of staff for strategic effects said today during a conference call from Baghdad with military analysts.
Iraq: Clashes Continue Between Shi'ite Militants, Government RFE/RL 28 Mar 2008 -- Clashes between Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite militia continue in the southern Iraqi port city of Al-Basrah -- the fourth day of fighting there since Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered a government assault against Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Imam Al-Mahdi Army militia.
Iraq Extends Deadline for Shi'ite Militias to Disarm VOA 28 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has extended a deadline for Shi'ite gunmen fighting government forces in the southern city of Basra to surrender their weapons, as coalition forces have dropped bombs on the city.

UK delays Iraq withdrawal due to Basra violence - report IRNA 28 Mar 2008 -- The British government was reported Friday to be delaying its plans to further cut its troops in Iraq by 1,600 due to the upsurge in violence in Basra.
UK admits breaching human rights in killing Iraqi detainees IRNA 28 Mar 2008 -- The British government is to admit "substantive breaches" of the European Convention on Human Rights over the death and torture of Iraqi civilians in the custody of British soldiers, Defence Secretary Des Browne has revealed.
Ayat. Jannati: US presence in Iraq brings nothing but misery IRNA 28 Mar 2008 -- Substitute Friday Prayers Leader of Tehran Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said here Friday that the US presence in Iraq has had nothing but misery and misfortune.

Hormats: Iraq War Historic for Lack of Cost Transparency cfr.org 28 Mar 2008
Analysis: Seeing Iran’s Shadow in Iraq Unrest cfr.org 28 Mar 2008 -- Black smoke swirled over central Baghdad on March 23, disturbing the fragile calm of the Iraqi capital
Analysis: Badr vs. Sadr in Iraq cfr.org 28 Mar 2008 -- The explosion of intra-sectarian violence (NYT) in Baghdad, Basra, and other Iraqi Shiite strongholds this week has ominous implications for the U.S. and Iraqi governments