Monday update from U.S. IRAQ

Compiled and edited with comment by Carolyn Bennett

The press is no longer free and independent. It is unreliable and without credibility so it is hard to judge truth on the ground of what is often corporate-driven conflict, war crime and occupation.

Is the rise of violence in Iraq a continuance of U.S. forces and their mercenaries’ violence and provocation in order to bolster U.S. militarists’ insistence on deepening their invasion and occupation of that country?

Are Iraqis protecting their nation’s sovereignty, pressing their claim of exclusive rights to their land and governance — pushing U.S. officials, troops, allies, and mercenaries to uphold the December 2011 departure deadline, prepare, and get out of Iraq?

Absent a free press, judgment of what accurately reflects the facts on the ground is difficult indeed.

Nevertheless, international news sources this Monday morning [and afternoon] are reporting that eight of Iraq’s 17 districts including Baghdad are being or have been bombed. Scores of people have lost their lives. Hundreds of people have been injured and much property has been destroyed or damaged. [Britain is there, but this isn't Britain, is it?]

The latest from Al Jazeera-English says the death toll in Iraq has reached 75.

1. In Kut             34 dead
2. In Najaf          19 dead
3. In Baqouba     13 dead
4. In Baghdad     1 dead
5. In Karbalah     3 dead
6. In Kirkuk        1 dead
7. In Tikrit          3 dead
8. In Ramadi       1 dead

Reuters reports “at least four people were killed and 41 wounded near Kerbala, 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad .… At least eight people were killed and 14 wounded in Khan Bani Saad, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northeast of Baghdad, in the province of Diyala.… At least 37 people were killed and 68 wounded in Kut, 150 kilometers (95 miles) southeast of Baghdad.”

Associate Press reports, “The bloodbath comes less than two weeks after Iraqi officials said they would be open to a small number of U.S. forces staying in the country past a December 31 withdrawal deadline.… Iraqis were furious at security officials and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.”

Quoting Theodore Karasik, a Middle East security expert at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, AP reported, “If the U.S. extends its military presence, ‘al-Qaida in Iraq’ can use it [violence] as a tool by saying, ‘Look, the Americans have reversed their decision to leave and are staying on as occupiers.’ They could use this as a justification for more attacks.”

Press TV reports, “At least 76 people have been killed and more than 180 wounded in a series of bombing attacks in different Iraqi cities as a wave of violence sweeps across the country….

“Bombings and other forms of violence have become an almost daily occurrence in Iraq in recent months as the US government has made no secret of its strong desire to extend its military presence in the war-torn country beyond the December 2011 withdrawal date.”

Sources and notes

“Multiple blasts kill dozens in Iraqi cities  — Scores of people reported killed and wounded in attacks across Iraq, including at least 34 dead in twin blasts in Kut,” August 15, 2011, http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181561325402596.html

“Bombs, attacks hit Iraqi cities, at least 60 dead,” August 15, 2011, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/15/us-iraq-attacks-idUSTRE77E0RN20110815

“60 killed as wave of violence rolls across Iraq,” August 15, 2011,  http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAQ?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-15-11-05-02

“Twin blasts rock Iraqi city in surge of deadly attacks,” August 15, 2011, http://www.france24.com/en/20110815-iraq-rocked-surge-attacks-usa-army-kut-tikrit

“Serial bombings kill at least 76 in Iraq,” August 15, 2011, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194064.html

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