Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
BAGHDAD, Nov 13 (AFP) - Iraq's main Sunni Arab-backed party Sunday called
for a halt to large-scale operations by US and Iraqi security forces in
northern and western Iraq, saying they were making the life of locals
"hell".
"These large-scale military operations are making the life of local people
hell, with disastrous consequences that have led to the death of civilians,
destructions and arrests," the Islamic Party said in a statement.
"The party condemns these military operations and calls for their immediate
halt in all provinces, especially Al-Anbar and Diyala," it said, speaking of
areas to the west and north of Baghdad.
Such operations are "likely to undermine both the political process in these
provinces and the security situation" in the run-up to the December 15
general elections, it said.
Al-Anbar is mainly Sunni Arab and Diyala evenly split between Sunnis and
Shiites.
Iraqi security forces Saturday launched a dragnet in Baquba, the main town
in Diyala province, arresting more than 350 people, including members of the
Islamic party.
US and Iraqi soldiers have also been involved in large-scale military
operations in Al-Anbar province, near the Syrian border, sweeping through
several towns which have been evacuated because of the fighting.
for a halt to large-scale operations by US and Iraqi security forces in
northern and western Iraq, saying they were making the life of locals
"hell".
"These large-scale military operations are making the life of local people
hell, with disastrous consequences that have led to the death of civilians,
destructions and arrests," the Islamic Party said in a statement.
"The party condemns these military operations and calls for their immediate
halt in all provinces, especially Al-Anbar and Diyala," it said, speaking of
areas to the west and north of Baghdad.
Such operations are "likely to undermine both the political process in these
provinces and the security situation" in the run-up to the December 15
general elections, it said.
Al-Anbar is mainly Sunni Arab and Diyala evenly split between Sunnis and
Shiites.
Iraqi security forces Saturday launched a dragnet in Baquba, the main town
in Diyala province, arresting more than 350 people, including members of the
Islamic party.
US and Iraqi soldiers have also been involved in large-scale military
operations in Al-Anbar province, near the Syrian border, sweeping through
several towns which have been evacuated because of the fighting.