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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
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BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki waved to cheering crowds July 20 as he stepped off the first plane landing at Najaf International Airport. The celebration marked the opening of a new airport that will facilitate travel, boost business opportunities and increase tourism. "The Najaf airport is a starting point for competition among provinces and local governments to make extraordinary progress toward reconstruction. … We were determined to face the terrorism that was about to destroy Iraq,” Maliki said. “The strong will of the federal government has fought and defeated it in all of its forms.” Iraqi Soldiers and police officers maintained control over the mass of media and photographers who came to record the historic event. Children laughed and waved Iraqi flags. Men and women posed for pictures, hugging one another, kissing cheek-to-cheek with greetings. Musicians played enchanting melodies, and singers sang with spirit. Najaf is one of the holiest cities for Shiia Muslims. The city is renowned as the site of the tomb of Imam Ali Talib, whom Shiias consider the prophet Muhammad’s heir. The site is believed to be the third-most-popular destination for Islamic pilgrimages, after the Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina. |
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 AN NAJAF — Provincial and local officials hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony July 19 to open a new Primary Healthcare Center in Sooq-sha’lan.
An Najaf Deputy Governor Hassan Abtan pointed out that, prior to the PHC’s opening, residents traveled for an hour to get medical care. “Now it’s just 5 to 10 minutes away,” he added. |
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BAGHDAD — Coalition forces captured two wanted men and detained two additional suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq’s financial infrastructure around Baghdad July 22-23. An alleged AQI financier was detained with one additional suspect during an operation near Samarra, 110 kilometers north of Baghdad. The man is assessed to be involved with known terrorists, including one killed during an operation May 6. |
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 BAGHDAD — During a visit to the area July 19, Brig. Gen. Jeffery Buchanan, deputy commanding general for operations for Multi-National Division – Center, met with Brig. Gen. Jabbar Nama, deputy commander for the 10th Iraqi Army Division, to discuss operations and the future well-being of Maysan Province.
In the four weeks since Operation First Signs of Peace began in Maysan Province, the Iraqi Security Forces are successfully maintaining just that - peace. During their month-long presence in al-Amarah, battalions from the 10th IA Div. have not seen a single gunfight, not one improvised explosive device attack, nor received any indirect fire. |
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Dr. Tahseen al-Sheikhly, civilian spokesman for Operation Fardh al-Qanoon, and Brig. Gen. David Perkins, spokesman for MNF-I, discuss reconstruction projects in Baghdad and security operations in Iraq.  Transcript  Watch Now
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 Maj. Gen. Oates, commander, 10th Mountain Division, and Iraqi Maj. Gen. Oothman, provide an operational update from Iraq.
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