• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

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

Current Operations

• TRANSCRIPT OF 4/22 CENTCOM BRIEFING CENTCOM 22 Apr 2003 -- "This is the 33rd day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, since coalition forces entered Iraq. Currently, our operations have focused on actions related to establishing security and setting the conditions for a stable and free Iraq. The coalition is working closely with Iraqi citizens, Iraqi workers, and humanitarian organizations. Dangers are still evident, and there are continuing examples of lethal preparations being made by individuals who would seek instability instead of stability."
• POOL REPORT OF MR. GARNER'S TRIP TO BAGHDAD - DAY 2 CENTCOM 22 Apr 2003 -- After spending the night at Saddam's moated Qasr al Faw palace west of Baghdad the Garner party left at 0530 (Iraqi time) in a convoy of Humvees and station wagons to Saddam International Airport.

• PENTAGON: IRAQ BUILD-UP VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- The fighting in Iraq is essentially over. But U-S ground combat forces continue to flow into the country to keep the peace. Still, Pentagon officials are adamant about the United States having no plans for any long-term occupation.
• Total force soars over Iraq AFPN 22 Apr 2003 -- Crewmembers from active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve joined forces in a KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling mission over Iraq on April 19.
• Team cleans up unexploded ordnance AFPN 22 Apr 2003 -- While troops help Iraqis gain independence in the streets of Baghdad, Basra and Kirkuk, people from the 386th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team at one forward-deployed location are cleaning up remnants of the 1991 Gulf War.
• Coalition Takes "Queen of Spades," Continues Security Operations AFPN 22 Apr 2003 -- The coalition has trumped the Queen of Spades in the Iraqi most-wanted deck.
• First Navy Aircraft Lands at Baghdad International Navy NewStand 22 Apr 2003 -- The Navy presence was recently felt at Baghdad International airport, as a Navy P-3 Orion from Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, "the Grey Knights," became the first Navy aircraft to land on the outskirts of the newly liberated city April 16.
• Two More of Former Iraqi Regime's "Top 55" Caught, Bringing Total Washington File 22 Apr 2003 -- A spokesman for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed April 22 that two more high-ranking members of Saddam Hussein's former Iraqi regime have been apprehended over the last two days by coalition forces.
• JAMAL MUSTAFA ABDULLAH SULTAN AL TIKRITI IS IN COALITION CUSTODY CENTCOM 22 Apr 2003 -- Jamal Mustafa Abdullah Sultan al Tikriti was taken into custody in Baghdad by Coalition forces April 21, 2003.
• Baghdad civic leaders meet with Army on reconstruction Army News 22 Apr 2003 -- Leaders of the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade met with more than 60 neighborhood leaders in Baghdad April 19 to discuss reconstruction progress and preparations for self-government.
• 24th MEU (SOC) Linguists prove communication is key USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- Communication is essential to the accomplishment of any mission. For the Arabic-speaking members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), this theory has been proven many times in training. Now it has been proven for them in a real world operation, Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Kuwaiti Hornets experience Marine Corps hot refueling pits USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- For the first time since Marine aviation forces arrived in January at an air base here, Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18 Hornets took advantage of the hot refuel pits, April 22, in an effort to further their pilots' training.
• 24th MEU Marines outfit Iraqi emergency services with ambulance, police training USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- In the final days of the war, Marines manning a vehicle checkpoint near their base at Camp Fenway, Iraq stopped an ordinary ambulance along with other traffic.
• 2/25 completing several missions, keeping morale high USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- During a resupply mission here Saturday, reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines (2/25) took the opportunity to share their experiences in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, with Marines of Task Force Tarawa.
• No rest for weary 'Condors' USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- There is no rest for the weary aboard here while the mechanics for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 serving as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom keep their CH-53E Super Stallions flying.
• 26th MEU guards Mosul, Restores order, begins humanitarian efforts USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- For the Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), this has been an exciting and challenging week. Ordered to begin the flow of forces into Northern Iraq Apr. 11 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the MEU Marines and Sailors were excited to have been given an opportunity to help liberate the people of Iraq.
• 2nd ANGLICO assists British forces during Operations Iraqi Freedom USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- For nearly 228 years the United States Marine Corps has been making Marines and winning battles. If you trace the Corps' lineage you will discover that it has been molded from the British Royal Marines.
• 2nd ANGLICO assists Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- In every major conflict, close air support has proved vital to the accomplishment of a ground unit's mission. Coordinating this close air support for the Army's 3rd Infantry Division were the Marines of 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
• Marine battalion shines in battle, sets stage for rebuilding Iraq USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- "In Third battalion, Second Marine regiment, we like to think of ourselves as the underdogs," said 1st Lt. Patrick P. Metke, executive officer of Lima Company, 3/2. The Fort Meyers, Fl. native, continued "as a result, we carry ourselves differently here and work hard to earn the respect we have."
• From war ship to War Eagles, ship store resupplies Marines USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- The Marines and Sailors of Marine Aircraft Group 29 here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom received a treat when Sailors from the Supply Division aboard USS Saipan brought out items from the ship's store off the blue waters of the Persian Gulf and set up shop in the scorching sands April 9.
• Robots help with battle in Iraq Army News 22 Apr 2003 -- The "Packbot," robot has been used in Iraq to search buildings for enemy soldiers and examine equipment left behind by retreating Iraqi forces.
• Gauntlets Reach Milestone Navy NewStand 22 Apr 2003 -- Originally in the Arabian Gulf flying in support of Operation Southern Watch, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 Sailors have met head-on the increased demands of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• 'Speed, Agility and Persistence' Mark Navy Contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom Navy NewStand 22 Apr 2003 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark said the Navy Marine Corps team capitalized on its ability to operate quickly, flexibly and persistently on the point in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Deployments

• ONW troops redeploy USAFE 22 Apr 2003 -- David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear. He walked through the Great Wall of China. He made audience members vanish, only to reappear somewhere else. But, those were just magic tricks - grandiose illusions. Try making 3,000 soldiers, more than 200 aircraft and nearly 5,000 short tons of equipment and supplies disappear and then reappear somewhere else.
• CTF-57 Continuing the Mission to Support Operation Iraqi Freedom Navy NewStand 22 apr 2003 -- As forces have begun to see a reduced pace in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the missions have become less in volume and hours, but nonetheless intense.
• Golf 2/2 recaps successful stint in Iraq USMC News 22 Apr 2003 -- Its 0200 Zulu - just after dawn - and the Marines from Golf Co., Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) crawl out from their sleeping bags and move their stiff and tired bodies into the heavy body armor they have been wearing for weeks.

US Policy

• White House Says Coalition, Not U.N., Responsible for Inspections Washington File 22 Apr 2003 -- As the United Nations Security Council met April 22 to discuss the role of weapons inspectors in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, the White House dismissed the need for [U.N. chief weapons inspector] Hans Blix and other inspectors to return there, saying the U.S.-led coalition has taken responsibility for locating weapons of mass destruction, and suggesting that the return of U.N. inspectors would be a step backward.
• BUSH / IRAQ / U-N VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Chief U-N weapons inspector Hans Blix says his staff should return to Iraq to independently verify the discovery of any weapons of mass destruction. The Bush Administration says there is no immediate role for the inspectors because coalition troops are now in charge of searching for illegal weapons.
• EDITORIAL: SADDAM'S PILLAGING OF IRAQ VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Archeologists excavated the Warka vase in Iraq in the 1930s. It was sculpted more than five-thousand years ago by the Sumerians. The figures carved on the Warka vase are considered the world's earliest known depiction of religious worship.
• U.S. Seeks Chances to Work with Allies to Help Iraqis, Boucher Says Washington File 22 Apr 2003 -- The United States is interested in working with its allies to improve the lives of Iraqis, says Richard Boucher, the State Department spokesman.
• EDITORIAL: IRAQ NEEDS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Tens of thousands of Shia Muslims gathered for Friday prayers on April 18th outside a mosque in an area of Baghdad formerly called "Saddam City." This was the first time since 1998 that Iraqi Shia Muslims were allowed to hold prayers outside the mosque.

United Nations

• Security Council Discusses Future of U.N. Programs In Iraq Washington File 22 Apr 2003 -- The U.N. Security Council continued discussions on a possible U.N. role in post-war Iraq April 22, holding separate meetings with the chief U.N. weapons inspector and the head of the oil-for-food program.
• IAEA should return to Iraq as soon as possible, Security Council told UN News Centre 22 Apr 2003 -- The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog body told the Security Council today that the agency should restart its work in Iraq as quickly as possible and that it was waiting for new instructions for its return.
• UN relief agencies report slow improvement in Iraq, but situation still 'precarious' UN News Centre 22 Apr 2003 -- United Nations relief agencies reported a slow improvement today in the humanitarian situation in Iraq but there were still many areas for concern, with spokesmen describing the state of affairs as "precarious" and "tense."
• Blix makes case for return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq UN News Centre 22 Apr 2003 -- In his first meeting with the Security Council since the war in Iraq, top United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix made the case today for the return of his inspections teams as a guarantor of independence and credibility in the search for suspected weapons of mass destruction.
• UN official seeks 3-week extension of Oil-for-Food programme for Iraq UN News Centre 22 Apr 2003 -- The official in charge of the United Nations programme that is the only source of food for 60 per cent of Iraq's population today urged the Security Council to extend it for another three weeks so that supplies already in the pipeline can be delivered.
• Annan appeals for healing Security Council rifts on Iraq UN News Centre 21 Apr 2003 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appealed for a healing of the rifts within the United Nations Security Council that marked the run-up to the war in Iraq as the international community now seeks to help that country return to normalcy and rejoin the family of nations.
• Blix confident Security Council will want UN weapons inspectors to return to Iraq UN News Centre 21 Apr 2003 -- Top United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix voiced confidence today that the Security Council would want his inspections team to return to Iraq to search for evidence of banned weapons of mass destruction as a guarantor of an independent process not beholden to any government.
• ANNAN/IRAQ VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- U-N Secretary General, Kofi Annan, says U-N relief workers are returning to Iraq and weapons inspectors should, too. The visiting Mr. Annan also says his organization has an important role to play in Iraq.

Reconstruction Issues

• UN / OIL-FOR-FOOD VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Security Council Tuesday debated the status of the oil-for food program for Iraq following the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime.
• IRAQ / ARAB EXPULSIONS VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Forced deportations of Arabs from Kurdish-dominated northern Iraq has the United Nations' top human rights official concerned.
• Iraq/Public Health Problems VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- In the wake of the U-S-led war that toppled the dictatorship in Iraq, looting and lawlessness have complicated efforts to restore essential medical services and to treat soldiers and civilians injured in the war.
• IRAQ /POLITICS VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- In Iraq, political parties are sprouting like seedlings of a democratic future that has yet to be clearly defined. At least a dozen political parties, some old, some new, have rushed to fill the political void left by the ouster of the Baath Party that ruled Iraq for more than 30 years.
• France Proposes Suspending UN Sanctions RFE/L 22 Apr 2003 -- France has proposed the immediate suspension of nonmilitary sanctions against Iraq and an adjustment of the arms inspection regime.
• U-N / IRAQ / INSPECTORS VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- France, in a surprise move, today (Tuesday) called for the suspention of economic sanctions against Iraq and the termination of the oil-for-food program.
• Postwar Adminstrator Meets With Kurdish Leader RFE/L 22 Apr 2003 -- The U.S.-appointed administrator for postwar Iraq, Jay Garner, today met with one of the two main Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq.
• IRAQ: Al-Qurnah Hospital stripped bare IRIN 22 Apr 2003 -- People celebrated in Iraq's southeastern city of Al-Qurnah on Sunday when electricity was finally restored. Men took to the streets and rooftops, firing rifles into the air to express their joy. But for one family there was no celebrating: one of its members, a woman, was accidentally shot in the head. They rushed her to the hospital, but the doctors could do nothing more than watch her die, because their wards and theatres had been stripped bare by looters a week earlier.

Foreign Reactions

• Anti-war protests continue throughout Europe USAFE 22 Apr 2003 -- As U.S. and coalition forces continue ahead with Operation Iraqi Freedom, anti-war protests are occurring throughout Europe and the world.
• IRAQ / MILITANTS VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- The fall of the Saddam Hussein regime has put new pressure on other radical governments and groups in the Middle East. One focus of media attention has been militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which are on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations. Reports say the groups might try to make trouble in Iraq. They deny it, but not everyone believes them.
• BRITAIN/IRAQ VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- A British member of Parliament is threatening to sue a newspaper that reported he was paid 600-thousand dollars a year by the government of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

News Reports

• Hundreds Of Thousands of Shi'ites Make Pilgrimage To Karbala RFE/L 22 Apr 2003 -- Hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite Muslims today converged on the Iraqi city of Karbala to participate in a pilgrimage that was banned under the regime of Saddam Hussein.
• IRAQ WRAP VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Shiites, some chanting anti-American slogans, are taking part in a pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala, something forbidden for decades under the rule of Saddam Hussein.
• Iraq's Shiites VOA 22 Apr 2003 -- Harshly suppressed and sometimes slaughtered by Saddam Hussein, Iraq's Shiites have now reemerged as a religious and political force in the aftermath of war. Comprising at least 65 percent of the Iraqi population, they are bound to wield considerable power in any postwar government. The question is how much and what kind. There are fears they may try to establish a theocratic state inimical to democracy.