Iraq trains civilians to detect IEDs as casualties from terror attacks reaches 1,000 per month

Iraq trains civilians to detect IEDs as casualties from terror attacks reaches 1,000 per month

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq, struck by the worst wave of suicide strikes in years, has been training civilians to detect car bombs and improvised explosive devices. Officials said the Interior Ministry has launched courses for civilians and particularly businessmen in detecting and foiling suicide bombers. The officials said Al Qaida focused on the […]

Al Qaida warns Iraq and Yemen ‘will not be secure day or night’

Al Qaida warns Iraq and Yemen ‘will not be secure day or night’

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Al Qaida has vowed to intensify operations in at least two Arab states. Al Qaida has issued warnings of an intensified campaign in Iraq and Yemen. In separate statements, Al Qaida said the targets would be the U.S.-backed regime in Sanaa and the Iranian-backed government in Baghdad. “They will not […]

Iraq reports ’57 terrorist cells’ nationwide in wake of U.S. withdrawal

Iraq reports ’57 terrorist cells’ nationwide in wake of U.S. withdrawal

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq, in wake of the withdrawal of the U.S. military, has reported an extensive insurgency presence. The Interior Ministry has determined that nearly 60 insurgency cells were operating throughout Iraq. The ministry said many of the cells were linked to Al Qaida and conducted mass-casualty bombings over the last six […]

Iraq to acquire 36 U.S. F-16s over next decade

Iraq to acquire 36 U.S. F-16s over next decade

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has launched its F-16 multi-role fighter program for Iraq. The Defense Department has issued its first contract for the sale of 18 F-16 Block 52 aircraft to Iraq. On Dec. 5, the Pentagon said it awarded prime contractor Lockheed Martin an $835 million contract for the F-16s […]

Iran opposition Mujahadeen Khalq nearing Iraq’s deadline for closing of camp

Iran opposition Mujahadeen Khalq nearing Iraq’s deadline for closing of camp

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — The Iranian opposition is preparing to leave its main base in Iraq in exchange for international guarantees. The Mujahadeen Khalq said its members were prepared to leave Iraq’s Camp Ashraf by the end of 2011 if they receive guarantees from the United States and the United Nations for their safety. […]

NATO to pull out of Iraq by 2012 after talks break down

NATO to pull out of Iraq by 2012 after talks break down

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — NATO has decided to withdraw from Iraq. Officials said the Western alliance was pulling out all of its staff from Iraq, which failed to agree on an extension. They said NATO would complete its personnel withdrawal from Iraq by 2012. “Agreement on the extension of this successful program did not […]

U.S. troop presence in Iraq down to 9,000

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has nearly completed its withdrawal from Iraq. The Iraqi Defense Ministry said the U.S. military presence in the Arab League state has declined to 9,000 troops. The ministry said the remaining U.S. soldiers would leave by the end of December. “The number of remaining U.S. soldiers until […]

Security fears for Americans in Iraq: Contractors have ‘stopped carrying weapons’

Security fears for Americans in Iraq: Contractors have ‘stopped carrying weapons’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — A former State Department official said the 16,500 security personnel retained to provide security in Iraq are increasingly vulnerable to a range of insurgency groups. Peter Van Buren, a former State Department reconstruction team leader in Iraq, said his former employer has instituted rules that endanger private contractors. “The security […]

Iraqi president: Military wants continued U.S. presence beyond 2011

Iraqi president: Military wants continued U.S. presence beyond 2011

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq is still seeking to retain a U.S. military presence in 2012. President Jalal Talabani said that the Iraqi military wanted U.S. aid after the American troop withdrawal at the end of 2011. Talabani, in a statement believed to have been cleared by the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al […]