.Iraq says explosives seized in security operation
BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi security forces say they thwarted attempted terror attacks Tuesday when they seized a large cache of explosives during cordon-and-search operations in Baghdad, amid heightened tensions in the run-up to crucial March polls.
Iraq's nationwide parliamentary elections will test whether Iraqis can vote in a government capable of overcoming deepening ethnic and sectarian rivalries, or whether those divisions will dissolve into violence that threatens the country's unity and regional stability.
Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the capital's top military official, said security forces had launched pre-emptive raids and seized 440 pounds (200 kilograms) of TNT, 440 pounds (200 kilograms) C4 and 66 gallons (250 liters) of ammonia, as well as 60 explosive devices.
"The security forces were able to arrest 25 men who planned to carry out terrorist attacks in Baghdad this morning," he said.
It was impossible to independently verify the government's claims, which followed hours of lockdowns and searches of neighborhoods across the capital. Such operations have become rare since the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007.
An explosives expert told The Associated Press that if the government's claims were true, the amount of military grade explosive seized would have been enough for several car bombs or a large truck bomb. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Officials have warned that insurgents seeking to disrupt the March 7 vote could try to step up attacks as the election nears. The stakes are especially high for the prime minister's Rule of Law coalition, which is campaigning on its ability to protect citizens.
Iraqi security agencies have been increasingly taking over duties from U.S. forces, whose combat units are scheduled to leave by the end of August and the rest by the end of next year.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told a news conference the raids were prompted by a tip-off.
"We salute the courageous citizen who gave the useful information to the security forces. I cannot reveal his name, but we salute him for contacting us," he said, before apologizing to ordinary Iraqis inconvenienced by the lockdown.
Even without increased security, it can already take hours to negotiate the city's snarled traffic jams - partly caused by blocked roads and interminable checkpoints.
The capital has been rocked by a number of high-profile bombings in recent months, mostly targeting government institutions in central Baghdad. Hundreds were killed in those bombings.
Analysts expect violence to increase in the run-up to the March polls. One election worker has already been killed and another kidnapped, and on Saturday gunmen wounded an employee of a government committee charged with keeping supporters of the Saddam Hussein regime out of politics.
The committee has recommended banning 14 political parties and one individual from running.
"Members of those entities were personnel of the former regime's repressive security apparatus, or Mukhabarat (secret police) officers, and some of them were collaborators with the former regime," said Ali al-Lami, the head of the committee.
A prominent Sunni politician, Saleh al-Mutlaq, is among those the committee has recommended should be banned. His potential disbarment raised fears that Sunnis might boycott the polls again, as they did in a January 2005 election. That boycott was followed by a surge in insurgent attacks.
MyWay
Iraq's nationwide parliamentary elections will test whether Iraqis can vote in a government capable of overcoming deepening ethnic and sectarian rivalries, or whether those divisions will dissolve into violence that threatens the country's unity and regional stability.
Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the capital's top military official, said security forces had launched pre-emptive raids and seized 440 pounds (200 kilograms) of TNT, 440 pounds (200 kilograms) C4 and 66 gallons (250 liters) of ammonia, as well as 60 explosive devices.
"The security forces were able to arrest 25 men who planned to carry out terrorist attacks in Baghdad this morning," he said.
It was impossible to independently verify the government's claims, which followed hours of lockdowns and searches of neighborhoods across the capital. Such operations have become rare since the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007.
An explosives expert told The Associated Press that if the government's claims were true, the amount of military grade explosive seized would have been enough for several car bombs or a large truck bomb. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Officials have warned that insurgents seeking to disrupt the March 7 vote could try to step up attacks as the election nears. The stakes are especially high for the prime minister's Rule of Law coalition, which is campaigning on its ability to protect citizens.
Iraqi security agencies have been increasingly taking over duties from U.S. forces, whose combat units are scheduled to leave by the end of August and the rest by the end of next year.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told a news conference the raids were prompted by a tip-off.
"We salute the courageous citizen who gave the useful information to the security forces. I cannot reveal his name, but we salute him for contacting us," he said, before apologizing to ordinary Iraqis inconvenienced by the lockdown.
Even without increased security, it can already take hours to negotiate the city's snarled traffic jams - partly caused by blocked roads and interminable checkpoints.
The capital has been rocked by a number of high-profile bombings in recent months, mostly targeting government institutions in central Baghdad. Hundreds were killed in those bombings.
Analysts expect violence to increase in the run-up to the March polls. One election worker has already been killed and another kidnapped, and on Saturday gunmen wounded an employee of a government committee charged with keeping supporters of the Saddam Hussein regime out of politics.
The committee has recommended banning 14 political parties and one individual from running.
"Members of those entities were personnel of the former regime's repressive security apparatus, or Mukhabarat (secret police) officers, and some of them were collaborators with the former regime," said Ali al-Lami, the head of the committee.
A prominent Sunni politician, Saleh al-Mutlaq, is among those the committee has recommended should be banned. His potential disbarment raised fears that Sunnis might boycott the polls again, as they did in a January 2005 election. That boycott was followed by a surge in insurgent attacks.
MyWay
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