2nd Phase Of Hawija Operation Underway

After another short pause the Hawija operation was on once again. The Iraqi forces freed the Shirqat district in northern Salahaddin. Then did some clearing operations before starting their campaign once again to free Hawija only the second large piece of Iraqi territory still under Islamic State control.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 30

1924 Frontier Commission appointed to determine border between new nation

            of Turkey and Iraq

1958 Agrarian Reform Law issued by Gen Qasim in attempt to redistribute

            land from large landowners to peasants

1958 Pres Qasim removed Arif as Dep PM and Interior Minister because he was a threat to

the govt

1980 Iranian air force launched Op Scorch Sword attacking Iraq’s Osirak nuclear

facility Only minimal damage Iran-Iraq War

1980 Iraqis were stopped outside Dezful, Ahvas and Abadan in Khuzistan province Iran

            Iran-Iraq War

1980 Soviet’s Brezhnev said Iran and Iraq both friends of USSR 2 needed to negotiate

            end to war Soviets main military supporter of Iraq

1980 Ayatollah Khomeini refused all talks with Iraq to end Iran-Iraq War

1980 State Dept told Italy’s Foreign Ministry that USSR turned down request by Iraq

for additional military equipment

2001 Iraq defector told Sunday Telegraph Iraq started crash program to produce WMD

            in 6 months

2002 Iraq and UN negotiated new weapons inspections in Vienna but blocked 8

            presidential sites US rejected deal

2003 UN Sec Gen Anan said that UN would only renew its role in Iraq if sovereignty

            passed to an interim govt

2003 Rumsfeld aide ate with Pentagon Def Pol Board member Gingrich and Dep Sec Def

            Wolfowitz who were lobbying against Bremer

2003 Gingrich would later say Bremer at CPA was biggest foreign policy disaster in

            recent times

2003 Bush told Justice Dep investigating possible unauthorized disclosure of

            undercover CIA official fmr Amb Wilson’s wife

2004 3 coordinated car bombs in Baghdad kill 44

2008 Sheikh announced 20 Tribal Support Councils created in Dhi Qar by PM Maliki

2008 Creation of Tribal Support Councils in Dhi Qar led to attacks upon sheikhs in

            political rivalry between SIIC and Dawa

2014 UK launched first air strikes on IS

2014 Cabinet authorized govt to provide weapons, equipment, salaries to Hashd

View The Iraq History Timeline

This Day In Iraqi History - Sep 29

1915 British forces took Kut, Wasit from Ottomans

1917 2^nd Battle of Ramadi ended with Ottomans losing city to British

1981 Iran retook Abadan, 2^nd largest city in Iran, inflicted 2,100 casualties on Iraqis

1986 Heavy Iraqi air strikes on Kharg Island Iraq oil terminal

1998 Iraq Liberation Act introduced into Congress

2001 Sec of Def Rumsfeld ordered review of all existing Iraq war plans

2003 Islamic Army of Iraq founded

2005 Balad bombing killed 95

2005 NY Times reporter Miller told grand jury VP Cheney’s chief of staff Libby told

            her fmr Amb Wilson’s wife was a CIA agent

2005 Gen Abizaid and Gen Casey told Congress number of Iraq army battalions that

            could operate independently dropped from 3 to 1

2006 British launched Op Sinbad against militias in Basra

View the Iraq History Timeline

War of Words Continues Between Baghdad and Irbil After KRG Referendum

The results of the September 25 Kurdistan independence referendum were officially announced, but that did little to calm the war of words between Baghdad and Irbil. The politicians in the Iraqi capital were pushing for more retaliation against the region, while the Kurds were refusing to listen. At the end of the day, there was a small fig leaf offered that could lead to something productive happening instead of the continued heated rhetoric.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 28

1915 British defeated Ottomans at Battle of Es Sinn driving them back to Kut,

            Wasit

1917 2^nd Battle of Ramadi started between Ottomans and British

1980 Saddam offered ceasefire in Iran-Iraq War if Iran accepted Iraq’s gains

1980 Saddam said he wanted Iran to recognize its territory water rights non-aggression

            and non-interference in internal affairs

1980 Tehran rejected Iraq’s ceasefire proposal

1980 Saddam wanted to seize territory in western Iran in quick war and then thought

            it would be over

1980 1^st time UN Security Council discussed Iran-Iraq War Iraq’s UN amb blamed Iran

            for war saying it violated treaties and attacked Iraqi territory

1980 UN Resolution 479 called for cease-fire in Iran-Iraq War Rejected by Iran

1980 Muslim countries’ committee visited Baghdad to try to mediate Iran-Iraq War

1980 Soviet Tass news agency criticized Iraq invading Iran as undermining

            national liberation movements in Middle East

2003 Rice and Powell said that US had lots of new intel on Iraq’s WMD since 1998

            when inspectors left in response to criticism

2003 Rice said were always questions about Iraq’s nuke program but no question it

            had WMD

2003 Report DIA review found defectors provided by INC invented & exaggerated

            info about Iraq’s WMD

2004 Blair said intelligence on Iraq’s WMD was wrong but getting rid of Saddam

            was right

2004 Report Jan 03 Natl Intel Council issued 2 reports saying US invasion of Iraq

            would increase support for Islamism Could lead to insurgency

2008 SIIC Governor of Dhi Qar came out against establishing Tribal Support Councils

            there because seen as tools of Maliki

View the Iraq History Timeline

Security In Iraq Sep 15-21, 2017

There was a decided increase in violence in Iraq during the third week of September. There were 91 incidents reported in the media. That was the highest figure since the middle of July. That was caused by an uptick in attacks in Anbar, Diyala and Kirkuk. The first and last were experiencing the latest military operations, which provoked Islamic State into action. Diyala on the other hand, is one of the main provinces in the country where the insurgents are rebuilding.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 27

1915 Battle of Es Sinn began between Ottoman and British forces

1980 Muslim countries’ committee visited Tehran to try to mediate Iran-Iraq War

1984 Japan offered ceasefire proposal to UN to end Iran-Iraq War

1985 At UN Iraq For Min Aziz blamed Iran for starting and continuing the Iran-Iraq

            War Said Tehran wanted to overthrow the Iraqi govt

2001 Ahmed Chalabi said Iraq and Al Qaeda linked since 1990s and wanted to use

            bin Laden against US

2003 Insurgents fired 3 rockets at Rashid Hotel in Baghdad

2006 Joint Chiefs created Council of Colonels that would in part review Iraq strategy

2007 Anbar sheikhs met with PM Maliki asked that Anbar Salvation Council replace Anbar

            provincial council

2012 ISI attacked Tikrit prison with car bombs mortars suicide bombers & released 100

            prisoners

View the Iraq History Timeline

What’s Next For Kurdistan After The Referendum?

September 25, 2017, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a historic referendum asking voters whether they wanted Kurdistan and the disputed territories to become an independent state. Since it was a non-binding resolution, the election was more symbolic than anything else. Now that it’s over there is the important questions of what’s next. Kurdish officials have said they want to begin negotiations with Baghdad about seceding. There are several problems with that. First, there is no unity within the Kurdish parties on how to proceed. Second, the Kurdish authorities have angered the Arab parties so much they are uninterested in any talks, and are seeking retaliation instead. Third, the referendum didn’t have the backing of the international community to legitimize it because of the ad hoc way it was put together. Finally, the Kurds will have to gain the backing of the regional countries to become independent as well. All together that puts a daunting set of barriers for the KRG to move forward on its dreams.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 26

1980 Iran and Iraq temporarily stopped oil shipments due to attacks on each

            others’ facilities

1980 Saddam letter to UN Said Iran refused to recognize Iraqi territory and sovereignty

            to explain war

1980 Muslim countries created committee to try to mediate Iran-Iraq War

1981 Iranian forces encircled Iraqi forces around Abadan breaking siege 600-1500

            Iraqis killed 2500 captured 3000 Iranian dead

1981 International Atomic Energy Agency condemned Israel’s destruction of Osirak

            nuclear reactor & suspended aid to Israel

2001 Bush told Rumsfeld to review military plans against Iraq

2002 Bush told Congressmen Iraq had WMD and building facilities to make more

2002 Powell told Senate Foreign Relations Comm about Iraq-Niger uranium deal was

            proof had nuke program

2002 Rumsfeld said Iraq had active WMD programs

2002 Rumsfeld said bulletproof confirmation of ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda

2002 Powell told Senate Iraq tried to buy aluminum tubes for nuke program

2002 Pentagon and intel officials questioned White House claims of Iraq-Al Qaeda

            ties in the press

2004 Iraqi National Guard commander in Diyala arrested by US for ties to insurgency

2005 NSC report on Iraq Security better but insurgents adapting Not enough US troops

            PM Jaafari not doing well

2006 NSC report Interior Ministry carrying out extra judicial killings

View the Iraq History Timeline

Musings On Iraq In The News

I was quoted by Paul Iddon in “New conflict over Kirkuk could follow ISIS removal from Hawija” for Rudaw.I was also cited in "'Islamic country' Sinjar situation after the war, Iraq's challenges over governance" by Akiko Yoshioka for the Institute of Energy Economics.

Another Pause In Anbar Campaign While Iraqi Forces Push On Hawija

The west Anbar campaign was on pause once again. The routine has been for the Iraqi forces to take a town, and then spend time to clear it and the surrounding roads and highways of explosives. That is going on now. The Islamic State also executed its governor for Ana and 27 of his followers accusing them of fleeing the battle. Next up for the joint forces are Rawa and Qaim in northwest Anbar, and then to sweep down the border region.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 25

1921 Gertrude Bell wrote King Faisal was unpopular and resented for being

            Installed by the British

1931 Iraqi newspaper called for one party rule under an autocrat King Faisal

1980 Iraq began attacking Dezful Ahvaz Khorramshahr in Khuzistan province

1980 Iraq shelled Abadan refinery largest in world Iran retaliated Air raids

            on Iraqi oil facilities in Basra Zubayr Mosul Kirkuk

1997 Op Dawn Turkey invaded Kurdistan to attack PUK and PKK

1997 UN inspectors caught Iraqis trying to flee food factory with suitcases of docs

            on making WMD

1997 UN inspectors attempted to inspect Special Security Office but denied

2002 Bush said couldn't distinguish between Al Qaeda and Saddam in war on terror

because they were equally evil

2002 Rice said there had been important contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda

2002 DefSec Rumsfeld and CIA DepDir McLaughlin briefed NATO defense ministers

            on Iraq-Al Qaeda ties

2002 US & UK worked on draft UN resolution demanding inspectors return to Iraq

2003 Bush said 9/11 changed how he viewed Iraq as a threat to US

2003 Powell announced 6 month deadline for Iraqis to draft new constitution

2003 House Intel Comm wrote letter to CIA Dir Tenet criticizing pre-war intel on Iraq’s

            WMD and Iraq-Al Qaeda ties after review

2003 Aqila al-Hashemi of Iraqi Governing Council died of wounds from an ambush

            in Baghdad

2003 Baghdad hotel used as base for NBC News bombed 1 guard killed

2007 ISI bombed meeting of police sheikhs and leaders of Hamas of Iraq and 1920

            Revolution Brigades in Baquba

View Iraq History Timeline

This Day In Iraqi History - Sep 24

1978 In Iran-Iraq deal Iraqi troops surround Imam Khomeini’s house in Najaf

            Told he could only stay in Iraq if abandoned politics

1979 Iraq warned Iran to not to interfere in Bahrain after Ayatollah Rohani

called on Shiites to rise up against their Sunni rulers

1980 Iranian Navy attacked Basra and Fao Peninsula Destroyed 2 oil terminals limited

            Iraq’s exports

1980 Iran started naval blockade of Shatt al-Arab, Basra

1990 Kurd, Shiite and Communist opposition parties claimed united front against

            Saddam

1991 UN Inspectors found over 53,000 documents at Atheer facility but were held

            for 4 days by Iraqis until could leave

2001 William Safire op ed said clear link between Iraq-Al Qaeda via Ansar al-Islam

2002 UK dossier on Iraq WMD released Blair told parliament that Iraq had WMD and

            it was producing them

2002 UK dossier said that Iraq could use WMD in 45 minutes

2002 UK dossier said Iraq could build a nuclear bomb in 2 years Iraq tried to buy

            uranium from Africa

2002 UK dossier said no definitive intelligence that aluminum tubes Iraq tried to buy

            were for nuke program

2002 UK ForSec Cook was surprised dossier on Iraq was mostly old WMD material

2002 CIA Dir Tenet briefed Senate Foreign Relations Committee on intel on Iraq’s

            WMD

2002 CIA Dir Tenet told Sen For Rel Comm Iraq rebuilding its nuclear

            program Proof bought aluminum tubes Niger uranium deal

2003 Bremer met Bush said he was optimistic about Iraq but concerned about growing

            attacks

2003 Bremer met Bush complained about Congress number of US troops quality of

            intel training new Iraqi forces

2003 Bush told Bremer he was too controlling and doing too much Bremer said he

            would work on it

2003 CPA Governor of Anbar Mines warned that attacks and public anger at US

            growing

2004 Bush and Blair talked about staying course in Iraq and Allawi needing a

            professional staff

2004 Report Defense Science Board review found US didn’t have enough troops

            to stabilize Iraq

2008 Provincial Election Law passed allowing vote on Jan 31, 2009

View the Iraq History Timeline 

Shirqat Freed, Clearing In Anbar, Hawija In the Offing

The multi-front campaign to rid Iraq of the last bastions of the Islamic State made more progress. Shirqat in northern Salahaddin was freed, the Iraqi forces were clearing the latest gains in Anbar, while Hawija was pending.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 23

1955 Iran joined Iraq, England, Turkey security agreement Would become

            anti-Communist Baghdad Pact

1961 KDP banned by Gen Qasim and several leaders arrested due to Mustafa Barzani’s

Kurdish revolt

1986 Iran ended Op Karbala 3 in Fao Peninsula and Majnoon Island

1986 Soviet For Min Shevardnadze told UN that USSR was attempting to negotiate

            end to Iran-Iraq War

1989 Kuwait Emir given medal by Saddam in Baghdad for help during Iran-Iraq

            War

1991 UN inspectors found 4 lockers full of secret nuclear documents in Baghdad

            facility but were seized by Iraqi army

2001 Rice told CNN Iraq would be stage two of war on terror

2002 Blair told cabinet Iraq dossier would show Iraq expanding WMD capabilities

            and erosion of sanctions one cause

2002 Educ Sec Morris asked Blair what had changed about Iraq to go to war other than

            Bush being elected

2002 Inst for Science & Intl Security argued against US claim that aluminum tubes Iraq

            tried to buy were for nuke weapons program

2003 Bush speech at UN said Iraq was frontline in war on terror

2003 Fr Pres Chirac & UN Sec Gen Annan speeches at UN criticized Iraq war saying

            US undermined international system 

2003 Gallup pol majority of Iraqis thought life would be better in 5 years 2/3 of

            Baghdadis said removing Saddam was worth hardships

2003 Iraqi Governing Council member Aqila Hashemi died after being shot 3 days

            before outside her home

2004 Allawi visited White House asking for more reconstruction money and bringing

            back old army units

2006 Army chief of staff called Gen Petraeus to review Iraq policy

2006 DefPolicyBoard member Adelman told Rumsfeld he was a failure as SecDef and never

            took responsibility for Iraq

2007 ISI accused Hamas of Iraq and 1920 Revolution Brigades of killing its members

2016 Sunni tribal Hashd began destroyed 220 homes in Aithah Salahaddin belonging

            to IS sympathizers

View the Iraq History Timeline

Ana Freed In Anbar Whilte Shirqat And Hawija Attacked

The much awaited multi-pronged offensive to free the last Islamic State bastions within Iraq started. The West Anbar campaign took its first major town, Ana along the Euphrates River. Shirqat in northern Salahaddin was also attacked along with neighboring Hawija in southern Kirkuk.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 22

1980 Iraq invaded Iran starting Iran-Iraq War

1980 Iraq wanted to protect Kirkuk and Baghdad while seizing Khuzistan province in

            south Iran

1980 Iraq started war bombing 10 Iranian airfields hoping to wipe out air force but

            failed

1980 Iraqi army crossed into Iran along 8 routes

1980 Iraqi army moved on Pankwin Iranian Kurdistan to protect Sulaymaniya and

            Kirkuk

1980 Iraq division seized Qasr-e-Shirin, Iran to block road to Baghdad

1980 Iraqi division took Meghan and reached Zagros Mts to protect flank of southern

            thrust into Iran

1980 4 Iraqi divisions attacked Khuzistan province taking Musian and moving on

            Dezful Ahvaz Shatt al-Arab Khormashahr Abadan

1980 Iraq declared Khuzistan a new Iraq province

1980 UK Defense Committee discussed how to start selling weapons to Iraq

1981 Iran began Operation Samen ol Aemeh to break siege of Abadan Iran’s 2^nd largest

            city

1987 Iranian speech at UN rejected UN ceasefire talks

1988 Pres Khomeini addressed UN condemning it for not doing anything about

            Iraq’s aggression during war

2001 Telegraph story claiming Iraq was funding Al Qaeda Quoted CIA and Israeli

            sources

2002 Rice said UN sanctions were failing and Iraq using illegal revenues to develop WMD

2003 Zarqawi bombed Canal Hotel Baghdad 2 dead 19 wounded

2003 Bombing of UN compound led to unanimous decision to evacuate UN

            staff from Iraq

2003 Bremer testified to Congress asking for approval of $87 bil in aid for Iraq

2003 Report Iraqi Governing Council members were going to tell Congress US

            reconstruction money being wasted

2004 2 suicide car bombs in Baghdad killed 21 wounded 150

2006 Ret Gen Keane told Joint Chiefs head Gen Pace he was failing and his only

            priority should be winning in Iraq

2006 Joint Chiefs head Gen Pace agreed to set up staff to go over Iraq strategy after

            talking with Ret Gen Keane

2006 Ret Gen Keane suggested Gen Petraeus should be new US Iraq Cmdr to Joint

            Chiefs head Gen Pace

2008 Wasit council headed by SIIC refused to set up Tribal Support Councils because

            seen as tools of Maliki

2016 Parliament dismissed Finance Minister Zebari on corruption charges led by

            Maliki and Reform Front

View the Iraq History Timeline

Iraqi Forces Continue To Advance In Anbar While Preparing For Shirqat And Hawija

As the west Anbar campaign continues the Iraqi forces are preparing to take on Shirqat in Salahaddin as well as Hawija in south Kirkuk.

This Day In Iraq History – Sep 21

1965 Abdul al-Bazzaz became premier

1968 Provisional constitution drafted by three jurists and presented to Pres. Bakr

            Included return of parliament

1980 Iraq letter to UN outlined steps it took to try to work out outstanding issues with

            new revolutionary govt in Iran

2001 1^st CIA report on Iraq and 9/11 found no connection but two had contacts

            in 1990s Bush was briefed on findings

2001 CIA report said didn’t think 9/11 hijacker Atta met with Iraq intel officer in

            Prague in 2001

2001 CIA Dir Tenet told Bush CIA Czech office questioned 9/11 hijacker Atta met

            Iraqi intel officer in Prague

2001 DIA analyst Pentagon’s Office of Special Plans on CIA report Said info good but

findings of no Iraq-Al Qaeda ties should be ignored

2001 Under Sec of Def Feith sent DIA analysis of CIA report to Wolfowitz and

            Rumsfeld

2001 Admin officials told Wash Times Saddam talked with bin Laden just before 9/11

2001 Iraqi defector claimed Iraq was training terrorists to take over airplanes at Salman

            Pak, Baghdad

2003 French Pres Chirac called for US to immediately hand over sovereignty to Iraqis

2003 Report mid to low level Baathists being assassinated in Baghdad

2003 Iraqi Governing Council said they were under increasing attack after 1 number

            ambushed and shot in Baghdad

2004 US civilian Jack Hensley beheaded by Al Qaeda in Iraq

2014 IS captured Saqlawiya and Sjar, Anbar

View the Iraq History Timeline

Rihana Latest Town Taken In Operation To Liberate West Anbar

(UN)

After a short pause the Iraqi forces went back on the offensive in west Anbar. The town of Rihana was the latest one to be freed in the region. It is in the Ana district in northwest Anbar along the Euphrates River. Elements of the army’s 7^th and 8^th Divisions, along with the tribal Hashd were involved in the operation.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 20

1959 Gen Qasim executed several leaders of Mosul coup attempt

1980 Iran called up its military reserves Lead up to Iran-Iraq War

1983 Iran threatened to close Persian Gulf if West and Gulf States continued to aid Iraq

1990 British intel report said lots of unknowns about Iraq’s ballistic missile program

1998 British intel report said Iraq probably still had biological weapons program

2001 During meeting on war on terror Blair asked Bush about Iraq who said it was not

            an immediate problem

2001 Blair told Bush they should take time to build up case against Iraq

2001 Undersec of Def Feith told Rumsfeld war on terror should be broad and Iraq

should be included

2001 Undersec of Def Douglas Feith complained about lack of good targets

            in Afghanistan and suggested bombing Iraq for 9/11

2001 Project for a New American Century in letter to Bush said Iraq might have

            supported 9/11 and Saddam had to be targeted in war on terror

2001 US intel officials told press they were looking into Iraq’s connections to 9/11

2001 Israeli intelligence said they thought Iraq connected to 9/11 Claimed Al Qaeda

            funded by Iraqi Intel Service

2001 US and UK jets bomb missile batteries in southern Iraq as part of No Fly Zones

2002 Pentagon set up planning group to deal with rebuilding Iraq’s oil industry after

            invasion

2002 UK Def Min said it could provide forces for military action against Iraq

2002 Time article White House using unsubstantiated stories to make case of Iraq-Al

            Qaeda ties

2003 Ansar al-Sunnah formed

2003 Governing Council member Aqila Hashemi shot outside her home in Baghdad

            Would die 3 days later

2003 Funeral for SCIRI head Ayatollah Baqir al-Hakim turned into anti-US occupation

            demonstration in Najaf

2004 Zarqawi beheaded US civilian Eugene Armstrong

2006 US commander in Iraq Gen. Casey gave his support to Anbar Awakening

2006 Chief judge in Saddam’s trial removed by cabinet for saying Saddam was not a

            dictator

2006 Intel report to Rumsfeld Iraq breaking up more Iraqi politicians stuck in

            ethnosectarian camps

2015 Human Rights Watch report on Hashd and Jabouri tribe destroying buildings in

Dour Albu Ajeel Alam Ali & part of Tikrit after Tikrit freed

2015 400-600 buildings destroyed in Dour 75 in Albu Ajeel 45 in Alam

            28 in Ali over 200 in Tikrit’s Qadisiyah

View the Iraq History Timeline

Security In Iraq Sep 8-14, 2017

Violence in Iraq remained at a very low level for the second week of September 2017. There were few reported security incidents, but casualties were very high due to a large car bombing in southern Iraq, and bodies being recovered from the rubble in Mosul.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 19

1929 Abd Sadoun became premier for 4^th time

1936 UK officials met Nuri al-Said in Paris to discuss him mediating Palestine dispute

            Turned out he just wanted to promote Iraq

1980 Iran began heavy shelling of Shatt al-Arab, Basra and attacked ships in

            waterway precursor to Iran-Iraq War

1983 Iran said if major powers kept backing Iraq they would have oil cut off to them

1991 UN Resolution 712 offered oil for food program again Iraq rejected 2^nd time

1996 CIA Dir Deutch told Senate Intel Comm Saddam was in stronger position then

            he was before

2001 Iraq intel paper said Afghan source claimed bin Laden Taliban and Iraq worked

            together to target America Never confirmed

2001 Bush asked CIA Dir Tenet to look into Iraq-Al Qaeda ties and said VP Cheney

            had info on links

2001 Dep Sec of Def Wolfowitz sent ex-CIA Dir Woolsey to England to look into

            Iraq 9/11 & 1993 World Trade Center connections

2001 Chalabi told Pentagon’s Def Policy Board they should invade Iraq not

            Afghanistan

2002 Pentagon’s Def Policy Board met arguing for removing Saddam

2002 Saddam sent letter to UN saying it had no WMD or nuclear weapons

2002 Rumsfeld told Senate that UN weapons inspections were weak and weren’t going

            to find anything

2002 US said Iraq didn’t mention trying to buy uranium from Niger in its UN

            declaration

2002 Powell told House committee there was debate about Iraq’s intent on buying

aluminum tubes but Saddam trying to get nuke technology

2002 New intel said Iraq might have offered training to Al Qaeda and safe

            haven to bin Laden in 1990s

2003 CPA issued new rules for banking in Iraq to reform finances and to open up

            country to foreign investment

2003 Saddam’s Def Min Gen Hashim Ahmad surrendered to US in Kirkuk after

            negotiations

2004 Blair said Iraq was center of global war on terror

2005 Militia controlled police arrest 2 British soldiers leading to rescue mission by

            British forces that ended in gun battle with Mahdi Army

2006 US commander in Ramadi got Marine division commander in Anbar to back

Awakening

2006 Fmr Vice Army chief of staff Ret Gen Keane told Rumsfeld US close to

            strategic failure in Iraq

2006 Ret Gen Keane told Rumsfeld US strategy was to withdraw not defeat

            insurgency

2006 Ret Gen Keane told Rumsfeld US needed more troops in Iraq to protect

            population otherwise change impossible

2006 Pres Talabani told Bush security problem was US not arming ISF sufficiently and

            needed less US troops in Iraq

2014 France carried out first air strikes against IS hitting Zummar, Ninewa

View the Iraq History Timeline

West Anbar Operation To Proceed in Stages

Unlike previous government campaigns against the Islamic State the west Anbar operation will be conducted in stages. The first, was the taking of Akashat, which occurred over the weekend. The Iraqi forces will move on the Iraq-Syrian border and a number of other towns before taking Rawa, Qaim and Ana, the ultimate goals.

This Day In Iraqi History – Sep 18

1916 British leaders told troops to continue advance in Mesopotamia vs

            Ottomans after huge loss at Kut

1950 PM Said threatened to expel Jews from Iraq

1990 Iraq Army Chief of Staff Gen Khazraji told Saddam Iraq would lose any war

            with US

2001 Richard Clarke’s counterterrorism office sent Rice memo saying no Iraq-9/11

            links found

2001 DepDefSec Wolfowitz wrote Rumsfeld that Iraq backed terrorists and might

            have been behind 1993 World Trade Center bombing

2001 Reuters reported 9/11 hijacker Atta met with Iraqi intelligence in Europe Story

            was false

2002 Rumsfeld told House committee Iraq was close to acquiring materials to build a

            nuclear bomb

2003 Head weapons inspector Blix said he believed Iraq destroyed its WMD in 90s

2003 Report wave of kidnappings for ransom across Baghdad

2005 Iraq draft constitution presented to UN

2012 Cabinet approved new oil export-revenue sharing deal with KRG

2015 Protests in Baghdad Babil Karbala Najaf Qadisiyah Muthanna Dhi Qar Wasit

            Maysan Basra Diyala over reforms

View the Iraq History Timeline

Musings On Iraq In The News

The Carnegie Middle East Center’s piece on whether Iraq and Saudi Arabia are improving relations, which I contributed to, was re-printed by the Lebanese Center for Research and Consulting.

This Day In Iraqi History - Sep 17

1953 Mohammed al-Jamali became premier

1975 Iran and Iraq ratified border treaty between two

1980 Saddam TV speech Said Iran violated 1975 Algiers Treaty Backings Kurds

            Refused to return Iraqi territory Lead up to Iran-Iraq War

1980 Saddam abrogated 1949 Treaty of Good Relations & 1974 Algiers Treaty with

            Iran Lead up to Iran-Iraq War

1980 Saddam claimed Iraq had sovereignty of Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra

            Lead up to Iran-Iraq War

1980 Heavy fighting broke out between Iraqi and Iranian forces Shatt al-Arab Lead

            up to Iran-Iraq War

1995 SCIRI claimed it attacked 3 Iraqi army positions in Baghdad in September

1997 UN inspectors watched Iraqis moving files and burning documents while waiting

            for access to a WMD site

1998 Italian paper claimed Iraq offered bin Laden safehaven if he was expelled from

            Afghanistan

2001 Bush said he believed Iraq was involved in 9/11 to his national security staff

2001 Bush signed paper directing military to make plans for invading Iraq

2001 Bush told Pentagon it needed to be ready to deal with Iraq if it acted against

            US interests

2001 Dep Sec of Def Wolfwotiz sent memos to Rumsfeld advocating for attacking

            Iraq

2001 Sen Allen told CNN US might think of regime change in Iraq

2002 National Security Strategy for Bush admin released Called for preemptive war to

            deal with rogue states

2003 Bush said no evidence Iraq involved in 9/11 but Iraq had ties to Al Qaeda

2003 Saddam audio tape released on Al Arabiya called for US to withdraw from Iraq

            and to increase attacks

2004 British forces raid Sadrist headquarters in Basra

2004 Draft of Iraq Survey Group report said Saddam wanted to produce WMD but

            had no stocks or programs

2004 Draft Iraq Survey Group report said only WMD Iraq had were poisons for

            assassinations by Iraqi intelligence

2006 Anbar Salvation Council issued ultimatum for Al Qaeda in Iraq to leave Anbar

2008 SIIC accused Maliki of creating Tribal Support Councils to bolster his support

View the Iraq History Timeline