Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

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

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 13 Oct 2005 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER KILLED BY IED

• Report to Congress: Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq US Department of Defense 13 Oct 2005 -- "This is the second report in the series; the previous report was issued on July 22, 2005." [PDF 382 KB]

• Transcript: Special DoD News Briefing 13 Oct 2005 -- Presenter: Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Mr. Peter Rodman and Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff, Lt. Gen. Gene Renuart
• 10th Mountain Division unit snares seven more terrorists MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers captured seven more suspected terrorists in Ameriyah Oct. 9.
• Iraqi and Task Force Freedom Soldiers seize major weapons cache MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraqi and Task Force Freedom seized a large weapons cache in Rawah Oct. 11.
• US, Iraqi Forces Step Up Security Ahead of Referendum VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraqi and U.S. forces are stepping up security throughout the country ahead of Saturday's national referendum on a new constitution.
• Security Stepped Up For Referendum In Iraq RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S. and Iraqi forces stepped up security across the country today ahead of Iraq's constitutional referendum on 15 October.
• Soldier Killed by IED; Iraqis Thwart Car Bomb Attack AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- A Task Force Liberty soldier died of injuries suffered when a combat patrol struck an improvised explosive device near Dujayl, Iraq, at about 1 p.m. today, military officials reported.
• Security Efforts Stepped Up for Iraqi Referendum AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- With the Iraq constitutional referendum just days away, Iraqi security and coalition forces are taking steps to establish safe and secure conditions so all citizens can participate in the democratic process, a senior military official told reporters in Baghdad Oct. 12.
• Security forces capture more suspected terrorists MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 58 suspected terrorists and seized munitions during operations in northern Iraq Oct.10-13.
• Operation River Gate secures cities in election preparation MNF-I 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraqi security forces and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team - 2 continue Operation Bawwabatu Annaher (River Gate) in the cities of Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana.
• U.S., Iraqi Forces Disrupting Terrorist Operations, General Says AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S., coalition and Iraqi forces are disrupting terrorist operations in Iraq, including al Qaeda efforts in that country, a senior U.S. military officer said today.
• Report on Iraq Cites Progress on Security and Other Fronts AFPS 13 Oct 2005 -- new Defense Department report sent to Congress today cites strong forward momentum in developing Iraq's security forces, noting a 50 percent increase in the number of troops capable of taking the lead in combat operations.
• Soldiers securing Iraq's elections Army News 13 Oct 2005 -- As Iraqi citizens vote in the Oct. 15 Constitutional Referendum, they'll do so with a better sense of security, thanks to Iraqi and Coalition Soldiers.
• Eglin Airmen train Iraqi police AFPN 13 Oct 2005 -- The introduction of democracy and the reconstruction of Iraq hinges on its police force's ability to handle those fighting against the transition.

Deployments

US Policy

• Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Lawrence Di Rita 13 Oct 2005
• U.S. Envoy Welcomes Compromise on Iraq's Draft Constitution Washington File 13 Oct 2005 -- U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad praised Iraqi political leaders for agreeing to last-minute compromises on the language of the country's proposed constitution.
• U.S. Military, Civilian Leaders Highlight Progress in Iraq Washington File 13 Oct 2005 -- Even though they are pleased with the steady progress made by newly trained Iraqi security forces, U.S. military experts warn that the counterinsurgency will not simply disappear once Iraq's military force is fully established or when a new elected government is in place.

United Nations

• United Nations' Annan Urges Iraqis To Vote on Constitution Washington File 13 Oct 2005 -- Calling Iraq's October 15 constitutional referendum a "keystone" of the democratic transition, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged Iraqi voters to cast ballots, saying "For the second time in less than a year, the future is in your hands."
• Iraq: Annan calls for peaceful referendum vote to let people's voice be heard UN News Centre 13 Oct 2005 -- Just two days before Iraqis vote on referendum for a new constitution, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for peace and quiet on all sides in the strife-torn country so that the voice of the people can be heard.
• Former French UN Ambassador Accused in Iraqi Oil for Food Scandal VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- France has placed its former ambassador to the United Nations under investigation for alleged involvement in the Iraqi oil-for-food program scandal.

Reconstruction Issues

• Iraq Goes into Election Mode Ahead of Saturday Referendum VOA 13 Oct 2005 -- A four-day-long public holiday began in Iraq Thursday, ahead of Saturday's referendum on a new constitution.
• Iraq: Arab Sunni Leaders Split Over Referendum On Draft Constitution RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Arab Sunni leaders are divided over how their community should vote in Iraq's referendum on the draft constitution that takes place on 15 October.
• IRAQ: Late ammendments to constitution woo Sunni support IRIN 13 Oct 2005 -- The Iraqi government has introduced a series of last-minute amendments to the country's new constitution aimed at winning support from the country's largely hostile Sunni community in Saturday's referendum.
• Shi'ite Cleric Urges Iraqis To Vote 'Yes' RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Prominent Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is urging Iraqis to vote "Yes" in the country's 15 October referendum on a draft constitution.
• Iraq: Saddam Hussein's Trial Could Draw Line Under An Era RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Saddam Hussein's trial is due to start on 19 October, four days after Iraqis vote in a referendum on a draft constitution.
• Iraq: The Corruption Quandary RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- Iraq's transitional government has issued arrest warrants for former Defense Minister Hazim al-Sha'lan and 23 other officials for the misappropriation of more than $1 billion during the administration of the interim government that ruled Iraq from June 2004 until April.

Foreign Reactions

• Iran rejects British foreign secretary's statements as unfounded IRNA 13 Oct 2005 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi here Thursday rejected recent statements made by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw as 'unfounded', warning that no country would benefit from confrontation with Iran.

News Reports

• U.S.: Is Al-Qaeda Letter Sign Of Rift, Or Opportunity For Bush? RFE/RL 13 Oct 2005 -- The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has released the text of a letter from Osama bin Laden deputy Ayman al-Zawahri to Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, the head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.