Iraqi government dismisses over 1,000 security force personnel for poor performance during Basra operations; Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad supports Basra security drive against Mahdi militias; Rice in Baghdad, supports Maliki’s efforts
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    • Reports noted that the Iraqi government had to dismiss over 1,000 security force personnel for either having refused to fight or for poor performance during the Basra operation1. Heavy fighting continued during the week between government forces and fighters loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr in some of the neighbourhoods of the Basra as well as in Sadr City on the outskirts of Baghdad. Coalition airpower was also used in the latest round of fighting in Basra. Reports also noted that the American military was erecting huge concrete walls in Sadr City so that militant attacks could be minimized and reconstruction activities undertaken2.

    The Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qumi on his part supported the military action of the Iraqi forces against Sadr loyalists in Basra, whom he also called ‘outlaws’ – a term used by Prime Minister Maliki as well. Qumi however condemned the American-backed action in Sadr City. Reports indicated that the Ambassador’s comments were made in the context of the charges made by American officials that Iran was training and equipping the Mahdi Army militias3.

    Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on April 20. Rice praised the security efforts of Prime Minister Maliki in Basra and in Sadr City and also supported the efforts at ensuring political reconciliation. She stated that she favoured the creation of ‘a new political centre’ in the Iraqi polity that would help marginalize extremist groups4.

    Secretary Rice would be attending the regional conference on Iraq scheduled to be held in Kuwait on April 22. The conference would also be attended by Iraq’s Arab neighbours. Washington has been making a renewed effort to persuade Iraq’s neighbours to do more to help in the stabilization process. Rice met with Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Mohammed Badreddin in Washington on April 18 after which Egypt announced that it could open its Embassy in Baghdad in the near future, if all security guarantees were available. Cairo had closed its Embassy in July 2005 after its envoy was kidnapped and killed5.

    In an indication of the still difficult tasks on the security front, series of bombings in 4 cities across Iraq killed over 60 people during the week, including nearly 40 in a suicide attack on a funeral in Diyala province on April 15.

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