NAJAF, Iraq — Iraqi government lies over the killing of hundreds of Shias in an attack on Sunday stand exposed by independent investigations carried out by IPS in Iraq. Conflicting reports had arisen earlier on how and why a huge battle broke out around the small village Zarqa, located just a few kilometres northeast of
Jordan Becomes a Doubtful Refuge
AMMAN — Hundreds of thousands have fled the violence in Iraq to seek refuge in Jordan, but refugees are now beginning to find its borders closing. Jordan and Syria are the only two countries where fleeing Iraqis can hope to find shelter. Western countries have shut their doors to Iraqi nationals – even to refugees.
Lt. Ehren Watada
I would like to bring your attention to a story I covered last August about 1st Lt. Ehren Watada. The story covered his decision not to deploy to Iraq and a speech he gave at the Veteran’s for Peace National Convention in Seattle last August. The full text of his speech can be read here
One Unexploded Bomb Per Person
Inter Press Service Dahr Jamail SRIFA, Southern Lebanon — Close to a million unexploded bombs are estimated to litter southern Lebanon, according to UN forces engaged in the hazardous task of removing them. The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) was created by the Security Council in 1978 to confirm an Israeli withdrawal from
Southern Iraqi Tribes Joining Armed Resistance
BAGHDAD – Violence is spreading further across Iraq, as Shi’ite Arab tribes in the south begin to engage occupation forces in new armed resistance. Resistance in the southern parts of Iraq has been escalating over the last three months, leading to increased casualties among British and other occupation forces.
Dahr Jamail and Peter Philips of Project Censored speak in San Francisco
In this high quality 54 minute audio file, Dahr Jamail gives an update on the situation in Iraq. Among many topics, Dahr talks specifically about the US involvement in the death squads and the sectarian violence in Iraq. Dahr also provides details on the enormity of the US Embassy and the military bases in Iraq;
The War Becomes More Unholy
FALLUJAH – A stepped up military offensive that targets mosques, religious leaders and Islamic customs is leading many Iraqis to believe that the US-led invasion really was a “holy war.” Photographs are being circulated of black crosses painted on mosque walls and on copies of the Quran, and of soldiers dumping their waste inside mosques.
Furor Over Saddam’s Execution Continues Unabated
BAGHDAD – Expressions of outrage over the conduct of the trial and the manner of Saddam Hussein’s rushed, chaotic execution are continuing unabated here as lawyers and human rights groups voice their criticism – although some are still cautiously asking the media to withhold their names from publication. Iraqi and international legal experts appear in
Media Under Growing Siege
BAGHDAD — The U.S. administration continues to tout Iraq as a shining example of democracy in the Middle East, but press freedom in Iraq has plummeted since the beginning of the occupation. Repression of free speech in Iraq was extreme already under the regime of Saddam Hussein. The 2002 press freedom index of the watchdog
Terrified Soldiers Terrifying People
FALLUJAH — Ten-year-old Yassir aimed a plastic gun at a passing U.S. armoured patrol in Fallujah, and shouted “Bang! Bang!” Yassir did not know what was coming. “I yelled for everyone to run, because the Americans were turning back,” 12-year-old Ahmed who was with Yassir told IPS.