Iraq Elections Update. Pretty good shizzle

[Team Infidel]

MEDIA OPS CENTER ELECTION SITREP


151000-151100​

Provincial Highlights

Al Anbar (Al Qaim, Ramadi, Fallujah):
·Reuters: Explosion hits Ramadi shortly after polls open this morning; followed by bursts of gunfire: unknown casualties or damage.
·CNN repeating video of Ramadi explosion: overall coverage, however, indicates minimal violence so far. Amanpour reports slow start to voting could be due to fatigue overnight due to warning that water could be poisoned.
·Reuters: IECI says more than 200 voting stations due to open in Anbar: unclear yet how many will do so.
·Al-Iraqiya: “Cities of Fallujah, Khaldiyah, Haditha, Rutba, Annah, Kbeisa, Hussaybah witnessed a good turnout over last two hours. There’s coordination between the tribal leaders and the people to protect the voting stations. We heard the mosques calling the people to head to the voting stations. We watched election posters and banners pinning on the walls to encourage the citizens and tents in Husaybah to receive voters. The Tribes’ young men are now protecting the stations by coordination with the city Council and the security forces.
SITREP#3: Al-Araybia: Reports of an arrangement between the government and tribal heads to protect the polling centers in Ramadi. People are starting to “flock’ to the polling sites.
SITREP#2: FOX New reports low voter turnout in Ramadi. A mosque is encouraging citizens to vote.
SITREP#2: CNN and Al Arabiya: reporting an explosion in Ramadi.
SITREP#1: Reuters reports that three empty polling stations were damaged by “small explosive devices” in the Sunni Arab city of Fallujah, Iraqi Police said 14 Dec. No one was hurt but 4,000 ballot papers were stolen.

Babil (Hillah):
SITREP#1: Reuters reports that Iraqi Police detained a militant group with a range of weapons that was planning to attack polling centres in Babil province, south of Baghdad, at Thursday's election.

Baghdad:
·After casting his vote, PM declared that "ballot boxes are a victory of democracy over dictatorship. The real triumph is that people are casting ballots -- whoever they choose -- and that they've chosen voting over bombs."
·CPIC: One indirect fire round landed in the International Zone shortly after 0700. Two civilians and one U.S. Marine received minor wounds and were treated at the scene. The incident is under investigation.
·CNN (Aneesh Raman): Reporting from Baghdad that the ISF leads on election security; video portrays peaceful images at polling sites. US presence has been absent from video.

·Al-Arabiya: Reporting from Karkh District of Baghdad: “There’s great turnout despite the mortar attacks which hit the city early this morning which did not impede people heading to the voting stations.”
·Al-Iraqiya: Reporting from Karada: There’s a great turnout, but some voters who left restless parts of the city like Doura neighborhood to Karada District in Baghdad are not registered. The observers and the voters appealed to the IECI to give them opportunity to vote.
SITREP#3: PM held a press conference in Baghdad, in which he stated the political process is the ultimate goal itself: “We all should put the interest of Iraq above our personal interests. The interest of the country is the priority.”
SITREP#3: Al-Iraqiya: People from the more dangerous areas in Baghdad came to Al Karrada to vote because they didn’t feel safe in that area—could not vote: election officials could not find their names.
SITREP#1: Angry Shiites marched Wednesday and set fire to the offices of a secular politician to protest remarks made on Al-Jazeera and Al-Furat, in which a Sunni Arab guest criticized Iraq's Shiite religious leaders for participating in politics and accused them of conspiring with the Americans against the mostly Sunni insurgents.

Diyala (Baqubah):
SITREP#3: CNN (Cooper): “All you see is Iraqi police security factions providing security in the Baqubah area - they are stepping up to the plate to provide their own security without any visible U.S. troops.”

Ninewah (Tal Afar, Mosul):
·AFP: An Iraqi civil guard was killed and four people wounded in sporadic outbreaks of violence near Mosul as he investigated a grenade thrown by a cyclist at people outside a voting centre, police said. Two police officers were also wounded in the blast.
·Reuters: Roadside bomb explodes near school/polling station in southeastern Mosul, killing guard and wounding policeman.
·Reuters: Seven explosions heard in Mosul in what the U.S. military says was an attack on two of its vehicles: no injuries.

SITREP#2: EMT reports a steady stream of voters (men and women) in Tal Afar. Media are interviewing voters inside the polling station.

Salah Ad Dihn (Baji, Tikrit, Samarra):
·Reuters: Mortar round lands near polling station in Tikrit, police say. No immediate reports of casualties or damage.

SITREP#1: The head of the province’s election commission threatened to quit after a gunfight between guards and Iraqi soldiers who tried to arrest him and his staff. He later returned to work.

Tamim (Kirkuk):
·Al-Arabiya: Reported from Kirkuk that “there’s a big turnout as hundreds headed for the voting stations. It seems the people realize that the political process is the only way to get Iraq out of its ordeal.”

SITREP#3: Al-Arabiya: Heavy participation in Kirkurk at the polling stations; people are happy about the voting process.

SITREP#2: Al-Hurra reported an attack on a voting station by small arms fire in Aurouba neighborhood of Kirkuk.


For up-to-the-minute photos: http://www.mnf-Iraq.com/Election_photos/Election_Photos.htm

 

[Team Infidel]

MEDIA OPS CENTER ELECTION SITREP 151100-151200

Provincial Highlights

Al Anbar (Al Qaim, Ramadi, Fallujah):
·CNN covers Sunni perspective during interview with key Sunni official: “Sunnis should vote in very large numbers today. We will have more legitimacy and will hopefully represent the centerpiece of the new Government”.
·Fallujah: EMT reports that the lines at the polling booths are not very long, and estimates 350 people have voted as of 1000.
·FOX (North): Reported from a Ramadi polling station where only one person had gone to vote: cited security concerns as reason for low turnout. Reported that mosques have issued two announcements urging Sunnis to vote. Reported on the Green Zone mortar attack: injured three individuals.
SITREP#4: CNN repeating video of Ramadi explosion: overall coverage, however, indicates minimal violence so far. Amanpour reports slow start to voting could be due to fatigue overnight due to warning that water could be poisoned.
SITREP#4: IECI says more than 200 voting stations due to open in Anbar: unclear yet how many will do so.
SITREP#4: Al-Iraqiya: “Cities of Fallujah, Khaldiyah, Haditha, Rutba, Annah, Kbeisa, Hussaybah witnessed a good turnout over last two hours. There’s coordination between the tribal leaders and the people to protect the voting stations. We heard the mosques calling the people to head to the voting stations. We watched election posters and banners pinning on the walls to encourage the citizens and tents in Husaybah to receive voters. The Tribes’ young men are now protecting the stations by coordination with the city Council and the security forces.
SITREP#3: Al-Araybia: Reports of an arrangement between the government and tribal heads to protect the polling centers in Ramadi. People are starting to “flock’ to the polling sites.
SITREP#2: CNN and Al Arabiya: reporting an explosion in Ramadi.
SITREP#1: Reuters reports that three empty polling stations were damaged by “small explosive devices” in the Sunni Arab city of Fallujah, Iraqi Police said 14 Dec. No one was hurt but 4,000 ballot papers were stolen.

Babil (Hillah):
SITREP#1: Reuters reports that Iraqi Police detained a militant group with a range of weapons that was planning to attack polling centres in Babil province, south of Baghdad, at Thursday's election.
Baghdad:
·AFP: Two civilians were injured when three mortar rounds struck Sadr City and the central neighborhood of Bab al-Muadahm of Baghdad.
·BBC: Video of Baghdad blast, Jafari voting and CG Casey predicting high Sunni voter turnout
SITREP #4: After casting his vote, PM declared that "ballot boxes are a victory of democracy over dictatorship. The real triumph is that people are casting ballots -- whoever they choose -- and that they've chosen voting over bombs."

SITREP#4: CPIC: One indirect fire round landed in the International Zone shortly after 0700. Two civilians and one U.S. Marine received minor wounds and were treated at the scene. The incident is under investigation.

SITREP#4: CNN (Aneesh Raman): Reporting from Baghdad that the ISF leads on election security; video portrays peaceful images at polling sites. US presence has been absent from video.

SITREP#4: Al-Iraqiya: Reporting from Karada: There’s a great turnout, but some voters who left restless parts of the city like Doura neighborhood to Karada District in Baghdad are not registered. The observers and the voters appealed to the IECI to give them opportunity to vote.
SITREP#3: PM held a press conference in Baghdad, in which he stated the political process is the ultimate goal itself: “We all should put the interest of Iraq above our personal interests. The interest of the country is the priority.”

Diyala (Baqubah):
·Dispelled rumors about an attack that happened in Baquba: IECI stated that though there were scattered attacks, none hit election sites and no one was reported injured.
·Al Arabiya: Reporting about the increased number of people at elections site in Baquba as compared to the last elections.

SITREP#3: CNN (Cooper): “All you see is Iraqi police security factions providing security in the Baqubah area - they are stepping up to the plate to provide their own security without any visible U.S. troops.”

Ninewah (Tal Afar, Mosul):

SITREP#4: AFP: An Iraqi civil guard was killed and four people wounded in sporadic outbreaks of violence near Mosul as he investigated a grenade thrown by a cyclist at people outside a voting centre, police said. Two police officers were also wounded in the blast.

SITREP#4: Reuters: Roadside bomb explodes near school/polling station in southeastern Mosul, killing guard and wounding policeman.

SITREP#4: Reuters: Seven explosions heard in Mosul in what the U.S. military says was an attack on two of its vehicles: no injuries.
SITREP#2: EMT reports a steady stream of voters (men and women) in Tal Afar. Media are interviewing voters inside the polling station.

Salah Ad Dihn (Baji, Tikrit, Samarra):
·Al Iraqiya: No incidents so far at elections sites in Samarra; voting process is going smoothly.
SITREP#4: Reuters: Mortar round lands near polling station in Tikrit, police say. No immediate reports of casualties or damage.
SITREP#1: The head of the province’s election commission threatened to quit after a gunfight between guards and Iraqi soldiers who tried to arrest him and his staff. He later returned to work.

Tamim (Kirkuk):
·Political officer reports calmness at polling stations in Kirkuk: people are dressing in their finest; some are waving Kurdish flags. Predicts the beginning of a good turnout.
·AFN in Kirkuk: Polls opening to long lines: no reported attacks.
SITREP#4: Al-Arabiya: Reported from Kirkuk that “there’s a big turnout as hundreds headed for the voting stations. It seems the people realize that the political process is the only way to get Iraq out of its ordeal.”
SITREP#3: Al-Arabiya: Heavy participation in Kirkurk at the polling stations; people are happy about the voting process.

 

[phoenix80]

very well done!

plz keep us posted

 

[Team Infidel]

STRATEFF MEDIA OPS CENTER ELECTION SITREP

1300-1400​

Provincial Highlights

Al Anbar (Al Qaim, Ramadi, Fallujah)

· FOX (North) reporting an “unexpected turnout” as hundreds lined up at polling stations in Ramadi. Imams: “Responsibility for representation in Baghdad rests on the people of Anbar province.”
· MNF-W press release: The polling center at al-Kurmaa Primary School in Karmah opened on time today despite an apparent insurgent attempt Wednesday to damage or destroy it.

· Al Arabiya reporting that voting centers in Fallujah are witnessing a huge turnout. Residents, however, are complaining of a shortage of voting boxes: possible that turnout was higher than expected.
SITREP#5: CNN covers Sunni perspective during interview with key Sunni official: “Sunnis should vote in very large numbers today. We will have more legitimacy and will hopefully represent the centerpiece of the new Government”.
SITREP#4: Reuters: Explosion hits Ramadi shortly after polls open this morning; followed by bursts of gunfire: unknown casualties or damage.
SITREP#4: Al-Iraqiya: “Cities of Fallujah, Khaldiyah, Haditha, Rutba, Annah, Kbeisa, Hussaybah witnessed a good turnout over last two hours. There’s coordination between the tribal leaders and the people to protect the voting stations. We heard the mosques calling the people to head to the voting stations. We watched election posters and banners pinning on the walls to encourage the citizens and tents in Husaybah to receive voters. The Tribes’ young men are now protecting the stations by coordination with the city Council and the security forces.
SITREP#3: Al-Araybia: Reports of an arrangement between the government and tribal heads to protect the polling centers in Ramadi. People are starting to “flock’ to the polling sites.
SITREP#1: Reuters reports that three empty polling stations were damaged by “small explosive devices” in the Sunni Arab city of Fallujah, Iraqi Police said 14 Dec. No one was hurt but 4,000 ballot papers were stolen.

Babil (Hillah)
SITREP#1: Reuters reports that Iraqi Police detained a militant group with a range of weapons that was planning to attack polling centres in Babil province, south of Baghdad, at Thursday's election.
Baghdad
· FOX reporting that IZ attack may have been a rocket; possibly hit water truck with couple people injured (interview with MG Lynch.)
SITREP#6: Al-Iraqiya: PM presser at the convention center: “Democratic experience in Iraq created vibrations in many countries, not only in the region but at the world level.”
SITREP#6: BBC interviewed an Iraqi woman in Baghdad after she voted: This election is the “next step for the future,” and the “biggest step in 30 years.”
SITREP#6: Al Iraqiya: Some staff of Al-Jazeera TV Office in Baghdad resign protesting a program broadcast by Al-Jazeera TV which insulted Shiite Top Cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.
SITREP#6: Iraqi ministers of defense and interior conducted a joint press opportunity after voting at the Convention Center: expected to travel together to Al Adhamiya in northern Baghdad this afternoon.
SITREP#6: EMT reports “a lot of cameras, a lot of individual news conferences. No problems” at the convention center. Line of people includes members of the National Assembly and ordinary Iraqis who live within the IZ.

SITREP#5: AFP: Two civilians were injured when three mortar rounds struck Sadr City and the central neighborhood of Bab al-Muadahm of Baghdad.
SITREP#5: BBC: Video of Baghdad blast, Jafari voting and CG Casey predicting high Sunni voter turnout
SITREP#5: FOX News: Baghdad settling down after loud explosion, sirens, take cover warning issued: no casualties reported.
SITREP #4: After casting his vote, PM declared that "ballot boxes are a victory of democracy over dictatorship. The real triumph is that people are casting ballots -- whoever they choose -- and that they've chosen voting over bombs."

SITREP#4: CPIC: One indirect fire round landed in the International Zone shortly after 0700. Two civilians and one U.S. Marine received minor wounds and were treated at the scene. The incident is under investigation.

SITREP#4: CNN (Aneesh Raman): Reporting from Baghdad that the ISF leads on election security; video portrays peaceful images at polling sites. US presence has been absent from video.
SITREP#4: Al-Arabiya: Reporting from Karkh District of Baghdad: “There’s great turnout despite the mortar attacks which hit the city early this morning which did not impede people heading to the voting stations.”

SITREP#4: Al-Iraqiya: Reporting from Karada: There’s a great turnout, but some voters who left restless parts of the city like Doura neighborhood to Karada District in Baghdad are not registered. The observers and the voters appealed to the IECI to give them opportunity to vote.
SITREP#3: PM held a press conference in Baghdad, in which he stated the political process is the ultimate goal itself: “We all should put the interest of Iraq above our personal interests. The interest of the country is the priority.”
SITREP#3: Al-Iraqiya: People from the more dangerous areas in Baghdad came to Al Karrada to vote because they didn’t feel safe in that area—could not vote: election officials could not find their names.

Diyala (Baqubah)
SITREP#5: Al Arabiya covered an IECI press conference: Dispelled rumors about an attack that happened in Baquba--IECI stated that though there were scattered attacks, none hit election sites and no one was reported injured. IECI reemphasized that journalists can only vote in the polling center where they are registered: allowing them to vote anywhere would open the door for trouble
SITREP#5: Al Arabiya: Reporting about the increased number of people at elections site in Baquba as compared to the last elections.
SITREP#3: CNN (Cooper): “All you see is Iraqi police security factions providing security in the Baqubah area - they are stepping up to the plate to provide their own security without any visible U.S. troops.”

 

[Team Infidel]

Ninewah (Tal Afar, Mosul)
· Tal Afar: EMT reports few mortars hit area, but people still continued coming into the polls. One voter: “Thank you George Bush”
· Mosul: Most voters were of Turkish background, but there were Sunni and Shias present. EMT reports a peaceful scene complete with Iraqis dancing in the streets and waving Iraqi and Kurdish flags. “They are excited, smiling … it is really really, positive.”
SITREP#5: Tal Afar: EMT reported 300+ Iraqis lined up at security checkpoints, and more inside the polling center: an “incredible turnout.” ISF securing and doing all the work: Coalition watching from a distance. Mood is very lighthearted--people don’t seem to mind the security. Women are dressed in fine clothing in attire with “all kinds of sequins and velvety fabrics.” Parents are bringing their children with them to vote.
SITREP#4: AFP: An Iraqi civil guard was killed and four people wounded in sporadic outbreaks of violence near Mosul as he investigated a grenade thrown by a cyclist at people outside a voting centre, police said. Two police officers were also wounded in the blast.

SITREP#4: Reuters: Roadside bomb explodes near school/polling station in southeastern Mosul, killing guard and wounding policeman.
SITREP#4: Reuters: Seven explosions heard in Mosul in what the U.S. military says was an attack on two of its vehicles: no injuries.

Salah Ad Dihn (Baji, Tikrit, Samarra)
· Tikrit: Political officer estimates 19,000 voters so far.
SITREP#5: Al Iraqiya: No incidents so far at elections sites in Samarra; voting process is going smoothly.
SITREP#4: Reuters: Mortar round lands near polling station in Tikrit, police say. No immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Tamim (Kirkuk)
· Dahuk: EMT reports voter turnout is particularly high in the poorer, working class areas where there appears to be much more support for the Kurdistan Islamic Union.
SITREP#6: REO reports from a Kirkuk polling center: High turnout with 75% of registered voters voting by 10am. There is a steady trickle of voters and no problems reported. People are dressed in festive clothing and some were observed waving Kurdistan Flags.
SITREP#4: Al-Arabiya: Reported from Kirkuk that “there’s a big turnout as hundreds headed for the voting stations. It seems the people realize that the political process is the only way to get Iraq out of its ordeal.”
SITREP#3: Al-Arabiya: Heavy participation in Kirkurk at the polling stations; people are happy about the voting process.

 

[Team Infidel]

MEDIA OPS CENTER ELECTION SITREP

1400-1500​

Provincial Highlights

Al Anbar (Al Qaim, Ramadi, Fallujah)
· EMT reports from Palestine School polling station in Fallujah: Evidentally, the station has run out of ballots: 2,800 people have voted since morning, and 2,000 voters were turned away because of a lack of ballots. Residents asked to return in the afternoon, when ballots are restocked.
· Al Iraqiya: ISF have arrested a Syrian terrorist along with 10 associates in Fallujah.

· Polling sites that closed because they ran out of ballots: Abu Fishga, Tal Wai, Shura (all in MNF-W)
SITREP#7: FOX (North) reporting an “unexpected turnout” as hundreds lined up at polling stations in Ramadi. Imams: “Responsibility for representation in Baghdad rests on the people of Anbar province.”
SITREP#7: MNF-W press release: The polling center at al-Kurmaa Primary School in Karmah opened on time today despite an apparent insurgent attempt Wednesday to damage or destroy it.
SITREP#7: Al Arabiya reporting that voting centers in Fallujah are witnessing a huge turnout. Residents, however, are complaining of a shortage of voting boxes: possible that turnout was higher than expected.
SITREP#5: CNN covers Sunni perspective during interview with key Sunni official: “Sunnis should vote in very large numbers today. We will have more legitimacy and will hopefully represent the centerpiece of the new Government”.
SITREP#5: EMT reports that the lines at the polling booths are not very long, and estimates 350 people have voted as of 1000 in Fallujah.
SITREP#5: FOX (North): Reported from a Ramadi polling station where only one person had gone to vote: cited security concerns as reason for low turnout. Reported that mosques have issued two announcements urging Sunnis to vote. Reported on the Green Zone mortar attack: injured three individuals.

Baghdad
· Fox updated report on IZ attack: rocket injured US soldier and two maintenance employees.
SITREP#7: FOX reporting that IZ attack may have been a rocket; possibly hit water truck with couple people injured (interview with MG Lynch.)
SITREP#6: Al-Iraqiya: PM presser at the convention center: “Democratic experience in Iraq created vibrations in many countries, not only in the region but at the world level.”
SITREP#6: BBC interviewed an Iraqi woman in Baghdad after she voted: This election is the “next step for the future,” and the “biggest step in 30 years.”
SITREP#6: Al Iraqiya: Some staff of Al-Jazeera TV Office in Baghdad resign protesting a program broadcast by Al-Jazeera TV which insulted Shiite Top Cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.
SITREP#6: Iraqi ministers of defense and interior conducted a joint press opportunity after voting at the Convention Center: expected to travel together to Al Adhamiya in northern Baghdad this afternoon.
SITREP#6: EMT reports “a lot of cameras, a lot of individual news conferences. No problems” at the convention center. Line of people includes members of the National Assembly and ordinary Iraqis who live within the IZ.

SITREP#5: AFP: Two civilians were injured when three mortar rounds struck Sadr City and the central neighborhood of Bab al-Muadahm of Baghdad.
SITREP#5: BBC: Video of Baghdad blast, Jafari voting and CG Casey predicting high Sunni voter turnout
SITREP#5: FOX News: Baghdad settling down after loud explosion, sirens, take cover warning issued: no casualties reported.

Diyala (Baqubah)
SITREP#5: Al Arabiya covered an IECI press conference: Dispelled rumors about an attack that happened in Baquba--IECI stated that though there were scattered attacks, none hit election sites and no one was reported injured. IECI reemphasized that journalists can only vote in the polling center where they are registered: allowing them to vote anywhere would open the door for trouble
SITREP#5: Al Arabiya: Reporting about the increased number of people at elections site in Baquba as compared to the last elections.

Maysan (Al Amarah)
· Al-Baghdadiya: Wide participation across the province: A man carried his mother so she could participate.

Ninewah (Tal Afar, Mosul)
· FOX reporting that a roadside bomb in Mosul injured a policeman.
SITREP#7: Tal Afar: EMT reports few mortars hit area, but people still continued coming into the polls. One voter: “Thank you George Bush”
SITREP#7: Mosul: EMT reports that most voters are of Turkish background, but there were Sunni and Shias present. EMT reports a peaceful scene complete with Iraqis dancing in the streets and waving Iraqi and Kurdish flags. “They are excited, smiling … it is really really, positive.”

Najaf
· Al Hurra: Provincial IECI official stating no problems; voting going well.

Salah Ad Dihn (Baji, Tikrit, Samarra)
SITREP#7: Tikrit: Political officer estimates 19,000 voters so far.

Tamim (Kirkuk)
SITREP#7: Dahuk: EMT reports voter turnout is particularly high in the poorer, working class areas where there appears to be much more support for the Kurdistan Islamic Union.
SITREP#6: REO reports from a Kirkuk polling center: High turnout with 75% of registered voters voting by 10am. There is a steady trickle of voters and no problems reported. People are dressed in festive clothing and some were observed waving Kurdistan Flags.
SITREP#5: Political officer reports calmness at polling stations in Kirkuk: people are dressing in their finest; some are waving Kurdish flags. Predicts the beginning of a good turnout.