2nd PM Maliki Govt (2010-14)

Musings On Iraq review Airpower in the War Against ISIS

Musings On Iraq review Duty, Memoirs of a Secretary At War

Musings On Iraq review Illusions of Victory, The Anbar Awakening And The Rise Of The Islamic State

Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance

Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism

Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement

Musings On Iraq review Mosul Under ISIS, Eyewitness Accounts Of Life In The Caliphate

Musings On Iraq review Patriotic Ayatollahs, Nationalism In Post-Saddam Iraq

Musings On Iraq review Quicksilver War, Syria, Iraq and the Spiral of Conflict

Musings On Iraq review The Rise of Islamic State, ISIS and the New Sunni Revolution

Musings On Iraq review The U.S. Army In The Iraq War Volume 2, Surge And Withdrawal 2007-

2011

Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents

Musings On Iraq interview with Reuters’ Parker on Maliki’s biography

Musings On Iraq interview with Inside Iraqi Politics’ Sowell on whether Maliki became a dictator

Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said

 

2010

Dec 21 PM Maliki finally put together new govt 9 months after elections Cabinet approved by

parliament Maliki would be acting Defense Interior and Natl Sec Ministers Signed 19 point list of demands from Kurds Promised to resolve Article 140 over disputed territories and oil deals Maliki ignored demands

 

Dec 22 Maliki’s second administration approved

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Dec 22 KRG passed Rally Law that said activists needed prior approval from security forces to hold

protest Was meant to stop demonstrations

 

Dec 28 PM Maliki said no changes would be made to the SOFA agreement with the US and all its

troops would leave Iraq

Dec 28 Sadrist became governor of Maysan in return for Sadr’s support for Maliki’s 2^nd term

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Gain Control Of Maysan Governorship)

 

2011

Jan 3 Report Iraq had most govt employees of any country in similar size Had about 4 mil public

employees Was drain on budget 60% of budget went to govt salaries and pensions Maliki govt wanted 115,000 new workers MPs said president PM and parliament would get $1.1 bil in 2011 budget

 

Jan 4 Report Head of Integrity Comm said Iraq lost $1 bil in 2010 due to corruption

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Jan 5 Sadr returned to Iraq after four years in Iran Fled to escape Surge

(Musings On Iraq Sadr’s Return To Public View)

(Musings On Iraq Why Sadr Left Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr’s Religious Training)

Jan 5 Report KRG claimed it had 45 bil in oil reserves US said only 2 bil were proven

Jan 5 Fmr Syrian official interviewed on Al Jazeera Said Iraq supporting Assad govt and sent money to

Damascus

 

Jan 8 Sadr gave homecoming speech after returning from Iran Said was religious obligation to resist

the US occupation of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Sadr’s Return To Public View)

(Musings On Iraq Why Sadr Left Iraq)

Jan 8 Interior Min Bolani claimed investigation into fake bomb detectors was a political move and no

corruption in purchase Interior Min Inspector General believed 75% of money to buy detectors went to kickbacks for officials

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

 

Jan 9 Parliament passed vice presidents law taking away their power

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Approves Creation Of Three Vice Presidencies)

Jan 9 Report Transparency Intl ranked Iraq 4^th most corrupt country in world on its corruption index Head

of Integrity Comm said ministries treated their ministries like fiefs Said they stopped corruption investigations

 

Jan 11 State of Law head of Baghdad council wrote law banning alcohol sales in province

under Islamic Law Police started raiding bars and clubs selling alcohol including Iraqi Writers Union

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Dawa Party Returning To Their Islamic Roots Or Just Trying To Shore Up Their Base? Attempts To Ban Alcohol, Set Public Dress Codes, And Attack Emos And Gays Raise The Question)

Jan 11 Dep head of KDP said party would drop all lawsuits against journalists who criticized party KDP

just filed $1 bil lawsuit against KRG paper that said KDP and PUK were smuggling oil to Iran Didn’t happen

Jan 11 Report US military said security incidents went from 11,203 in 2009 to 8,233 in 2010 Said fewest

incidents since 2003 2007 had the most at 67,727

 

Jan 12 12 ISI members escaped from Basra prison Had help from govt officials including possibly dir of

security bureau in PM’s office

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Forces Suspected In Escape Of Al Qaeda Officials Form Basra Prison)

(Musings On Iraq Al Qaeda In Iraq Had Official Help In Prison Escapes In Baghdad And Basra)

Jan 12 Kuwait Premier and Foreign Affairs Min arrived in Baghdad for first high level meet

            between 2 countries since 1990

Jan 12 Report Human Rights Ministry said 85,694 civilians killed by insurgency 2004-08

 

Jan 13 Report Iraq’s oil pipelines old and needed repair and expansion Capacity was low Needed to build

storage terminals Ports had to be upgraded Iraq dealing with yrs of neglect of infrastructure Energy analyst said foreign companies had hard time finding skilled workers equipment material in Iraq Iraq didn’t have enough money to fix problems 2010 Oil Min came up with master plan Said it wanted to produce 12 mil/bar/day of oil by 2017 Would add 4 mil/bar/day export capacity by 2013 Would expand export capacity to Turkey to 1.6 mil/bar/day Wanted to build 3^rd pipeline to Syria and Mediterranean 2010 Iraq signed deals with companies to build new pipelines and 4 floating terminals in Basra Iraq short on water to maintain pressure in oil wells Led to declining production Exxon and others worked on water project Floating terminals and pipeline contracts were given due to corruption

Jan 13 Report Wasit rejected Electricity Min’s charging for electricity use Said was too much for poor

province 2010 Electricity Min started billing for usage to try to curb consumption Effort failed

 

Jan 15 Report Assyrian Christian cultural assoc in Baghdad vandalized Told Iraq was an Islamic state

Police blocked off streets before attack Head of Baghdad govt said attackers were policemen Thought attack caused by group running alcohol business 2 alcohol shops recently attacked

(Musings On Iraq review Christianity in Iraq)

Jan 15 Report Woman’s son arrested in 07 Held 3 yrs incommunicado Police called her and said she could

visit son for a bribe Then asked for another bribe to release son Son had been released by judge but was kept in jail by corrupt police Investigation found corrupt police were arresting people solely to extort money from families Police paid bribes to politicians to get promotions Officers demanded bribes from police under them Prisoners routinely had to pay bribes to be released

 

Jan 16 Parliament passed law to create 171,000 new govt jobs 100,000 would be in ISF rest would be in

ministries Most of the ISF jobs would be in Facility Protection Services Dep Planning Min said wasn’t enough jobs to solve unemployment Said 30% of govt employees worked at reduced hours Jobs part of patronage for ruling parties

 

Jan 17 Protesters cut Kirkuk-Baghdad highway Set tires on fire Blocked all traffic over lack of

electricity in Kirkuk Kirkuk governor was diverting power from a local power plant from Baghdad to Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq Electricity Protests Spread To Northern Iraq)

 

Jan 18 Suicide bomber hit a police recruitment center in Tikrit killing 54 wounded 137

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Jan 18 Iraq Supreme Court ruled that all independent commissions and Central Bank of Iraq were under

PM Maliki instead of parliament Directly contradicted constitution that said all commissions were under the parliament

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Wins Control Of Iraq’s Election Commission)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Fails To Unseat Election Commission)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Jan 18 PM Maliki and KRG PM Salah said they reached agreements on renewed Kurdish oil exports

and 2011 budget Oil Min would pay oil companies in KRG for their costs Issue of oil profits not resolved

(Musings On Iraq Has Baghdad And Kurdistan Finally Come To An Agreement Over Oil Exports And The 2011 Budget?)

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad And Kurdistan No Closer To Resolving Oil Dispute)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Central And Regional Governments Reach Third Oil Deal, But Will It Last?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jan 19 Report ISI prisoners that escaped from Basra prison probably had help from intelligence agencies

and officials in Baghdad 12 prisoners escaped Investigation found intel group from Basra Palace might have helped

 

Jan 20 2 ISI suicide car bombs hit Arbaeen pilgrims in Karbala 45 killed 102 wounded

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

 

Jan 21 3 bombs hit Shiite pilgrims during Arbayeen

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jan 21 Report Sadr went back to Iran after being in Iraq for only 2 wks

Jan 21 Report Many believed insurgency was based upon fmr Baathists and ex-ISF Was actually large

group of young Salafis who grew up in 1990s and networked Many arrested by Saddam Carried out small attacks vs Saddam regime Salafis brought the x-Baathists into their groups not other way around

 

Jan 22 Kirkuk made deal with Electricity Min that province would get larger power quota Would still

not meet demand Governor had cut off power line to Baghdad and kept electricity for province

(Musings On Iraq Tamim Cuts Deal With Baghdad Over Electricity Supply)

(Musings On Iraq Electricity Protests Spread To Northern Iraq)

Jan 22 Report Several KRG editors and journalists had travel bans placed on them after they wrote about

Natural Resource Min lacking transparency over contracts and revenues

Jan 22 2 Babil sahwa leaders arrested for Karbala bombing that killed 34 Accused of working for Islamic

Army

 

Jan 23 Report found prison at Camp Honor Baghdad Prisoners held incommunicado No lawyers Torture

Facility was under direct command of PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq New Complaints About Iraqi Prison Abuse)

 

Jan 24 2 bombs hit Shiite pilgrims during Arbayeen

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jan 24 Deputy Justice Min denied report prison at Camp Honor Baghdad was under Maliki’s control

Said run by Justice Min Said Red Cross and Human Rights Min had visited facility and found no torture or abuses Said families and lawyers could visit prisoners Red Cross said they were denied access to prison

(Musings On Iraq New Complaints About Iraqi Prison Abuse)

 

Jan 26 insurgents caught crossing from Syria to Anbar Said they got aid from Syrian govt

(Musings On Iraq More On Syria’s Support For Iraq’s Insurgency 2011-2012)

Jan 26 Report Dep Displacement Min said Maliki govt would come up with plan to deal with displaced

within 1 yr and improve conditions for refugees Said would end displacement in 1 yr Nothing happened

Jan 26 NSC deputies comm met Talked about keeping residual troops in Iraq after Dec 2011 withdrawal

Gen Austin thought 20,000-24,000 US troops should stay behind Civilians at Pentagon thought 10,000-16,000 needed White House thought 8,000-16,000 should stay Didn’t happen

 

Jan 27 Report Water at Mosul Dam lowest since 1984 Stopped electricity production at dam ½ the water

came from Turkey rest of Iraq’s mountains Turkey built dam that cut water supply Haditha Dam operating at ½ capacity because of water shortages caused by Turkish dam

 

Jan 28 Protest in Mosul demanded govt release of prisoners

Jan 28 Report UN reported fewer displaced/refugees returned in 2010 vs 2009 40% drop in returns from

2009 Surveys said political instability main reason people not returning After that lack of services and security

 

Jan 29 Report Many questioned whether Iraq could reach 12 mil/bar/day in oil production goal it set itself

Some thought it was a political announcement that Iraq would be bigger play in OPEC Org for Econ Cooperation and Development didn’t believe Iraq could reach 12 mil/bar Said could take 20 yrs just to reach 6 mil/bar Iraq needed $150 bil in investment in oil industry Also political uncertainty 

 

Jan 30 Report Maliki govt hired 39,000 sahwa out of 95,000 Struggled to pay them Suffered targeted

attacks in 2010 from insurgency

Jan 30 Protests across Iraq over lack of services unemployment support for Egyptian protests

Jan 30 Report End of 2010 GAO said Maliki govt not interested in helping displaced Wasn’t interested in

working with Jordan and Syria to help refugees return US was pushing PM Maliki to help more Intl Org for Migration said many Sunni refugees would not return

 

Jan 31 Report PM Maliki made his son assistant to dir of PM’s office Maliki stripped former assistant of

power to let son in Maliki’s son in law also part of intel agency Another son director of procurement in PM’s office Critics said Maliki used his sons to enrich himself and family

 

Feb 1 Report Planning Min said it would create 4 mil jobs in 4 yrs Said was to fight poverty Was really for

patronage for ruling parties

 

Feb 2 Report Interior Min inspector general said it was returning $20 mil to central govt for buying fake

bomb detectors Ministry said senor officials had been sent to court over issue

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Interior Ministry Finally Deals With Fake Bomb Detectors)

Feb 2 Report Sadrists said PM Maliki illegally arresting its followers Blamed Army’s 11^th Div in Baghdad

Army said arrests were legal with warrants

 

Feb 3 Protests in Wasit and Baghdad over lack of services and in solidarity with Egypt’s Arab Spring In

Qadisiya police fired into crowd

Feb 3 Fmr Accordance Front head Dulaimi called for Sunni region in Anbar Salahaddin Ninewa Said was

due to Sunni marginalization Accused Maliki govt of targeting Sunnis Dulaimi was living in Jordan at the time Sheikhs politicians and clerics signed statement condemning idea Iraqiya also opposed

Feb 3 Report Japanese agricultural expert said KRG had potential to become agricultural supplier for all of

Iraq Jan 09 KRG announced 5 yr plan to become self-sufficient in agriculture 2011 announced production up but would not become self-sufficient KRG didn’t allocate big enough budget for plan Lacked skilled technicians in Agriculture Min Faced drought decreased underground water cut in water from Iran and Turkey Of 1.5 mil hectares of farmland only 535,000 was used Farmers wanted more govt support but KRG couldn’t provide it

Feb 3 Report 09 PM Maliki told US Amb Hill Iran gave anti-aircraft missiles to Sadr’s Saraya al-Salam

 

Feb 4 Report KRG still smuggling oil to Iran 2 border crossings had tankers lined up to enter Iran KRG

denied story KRG said all oil sales to Iran were legal Undermined US sanctions on Tehran

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Feb 4 Report MP on parliament’s finance comm said Maliki govt wanted to add 285,000 new govt workers

in 2011 budget Govt hiring was suspended for a yr while 2^nd Maliki govt formed KRG PM Salah said KRG would hire 25,000 new govt workers Planning Min said hires would help fight unemployment Was really for political patronage

Feb 4 Report Fmr US Amb to Iraq Crocker said that if Allawi didn’t become PM he would drop out of

politics He did until next election Crocker said new Maliki govt would include everyone that won and that was all that mattered to ruling parties Didn’t care about improving life for Iraqis Wanted coalition govt more than a govt that worked

Feb 4 3000 protests in Qadisiya over lack of jobs and services Broken up by police Protests in 3 parts of

Baghdad

 

Feb 5 Maliki spokesperson said he would not run for a 3^rd term in 2014 but he did

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Feb 5 Report End of 2010 4 largest oil fields in Iraq which were auctioned in 09 reached initial production

targets Oil Min said it could reach 8 mil/bar/day in production by 2017 Down from 12 mil/bar/day Several studies said not possible Consensus was Iraq would reach 2.6-2.8 mil/bar/day in production by start of 2012 Intl Energy Agency said Iraq could reach 7 mil/bar/day by 2035 Said reaching Oil Min’s goals would need $150 mil in investment in 5 yrs Iraq needed new pipelines several thousand wells drilling rigs water pumping and injection system mud cement chemicals power stations industrial zones workshops warehouses work camps residential areas roads for oil industry

Feb 5 Report PM Maliki said he would respect KRG’s oil deals Oct 09 KRG stopped exporting oil for

Baghdad in dispute over paying oil companies in KRG Before Baghdad said KRG deals illegal Attempt by Maliki to win KRG support for his new govt

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Feb 5 Report Protests started in Iraq end of Jan Were inspired by Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt

Demanded better services

Feb 5 Police broke up protest in Najaf Protesters in Qadisiya stormed govt buildings and police station

 

Feb 6 250 protested in Baghdad neighborhood over lack of services 100 protested in Basra calling for

governor to resign Protests in Diyala Ramadi and Mosul

 

Feb 8 Parliament human rights committee opened investigation of Camp Honor secret

            prison in Baghdad run by Maliki Nothing came of it

(Musings On Iraq New Complaints About Iraqi Prison Abuse)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Feb 8 Parliament passed bill to create 171,000 new govt jobs 100,000 were in ISF 71,000 in ministries Dep

Planning Min said 30% of govt workers were working reduced hrs Was for political patronage

Feb 8 Report Torture and abuse still going on in Iraqi prisons Supreme Judiciary Council got more than 400

complaints of abuse in 2010 Only 90 went to court Human Rights Min claimed abuse was declining Said was due to individuals Human rights group said it was systemic

Feb 8 Report US military said violence had fallen to lowest level since 2003 invasion Were still mass

casualty bombings and assassinations but overall violence was down 90% in 2010 vs 2006-07

 

Feb 9 Report Justice Min responded to Amnesty report about secret prisons and abuse Said prisoners were

protected Supreme Judicial Council said were judges that looked into prison conditions Claimed it punished some abusers Justice Min said it would set up committee to look into abuses Nothing happened

Feb 9 Report 2005 3438 attacks in Iraq 20629 people killed wounded kidnapped 2006 6631 attacks 38878

killed wounded kidnapped 2007 6210 attacks 44012 killed wounded kidnapped 2008 3256 attacks 19077 killed wounded kidnapped 2009 2458 attacks 16869 killed wounded kidnapped

Feb 9 Protest in Babil Facebook campaign started demanding better services fighting corruption raising

standard of living

 

Feb 10 Arrest warrant issued for Interior Min Gen Jabiri head of counter explosive dept for buying fake

bomb detectors Interior Min Inspector General believed 75% of money spent on devices went to kickbacks for officials

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

 

Feb 11 Protests in Baghdad Karbala Wasit Anbar Maysan Basra Ninewa Qadisiya Muthanna for better

services and electricity

Feb 11 Housing Min said that privatizing state owned enterprises would mean firing workers That

couldn’t be done Still said wanted investors to renovate companies and make them competitive

 

Feb 12 Interior Min Gen Jabiri head of counter explosives dept arrested for buying fake bomb detectors

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Interior Ministry Finally Deals With Fake Bomb Detectors)

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

Feb 12 Suicide bomber at bus depot in Samarra Salahaddin Killed 48 Wounded 80

Feb 12 Electricity Min said it would provide 1000kw of electricity free each month Meant to appease

protests Said people that used more than 1000kw would have to pay Oct 2010 ministry tried to charge for electricity to curb usage and handle shortages Production was at 7000mw Demand was 12,000 mw Would increase power imports from Iran Wanted to import power from Turkey and Syria Few Iraqis paid bills

 

Feb 13 Khairallah Babakir of Kurdish Alliance named Trade Minister in new Maliki govt

 

Feb 14 Report Legal barriers held up finalizing $12 bil natural gas deal with Shell and Mitsubishi Oil laws

said only govt could export gas Shell wanted to export gas Deal approved Jun 2010

Feb 14 PM Maliki said electricity problems would be solved in 12-20 months Didn’t happen

Feb 14 100s rallied in Baghdad against corruption and for better services Was supported by Sadr

 

Feb 15 Sadr called for protests over lack of services Tried to co-opt new protest movement

Feb 15 Protests in Fallujah Kirkuk Baghdad over lack of jobs and services

 

Feb 16 Maliki visited Kuwait after Kuwait premier visited Iraq in 2^nd high level meeting

            between 2 countries since 1990

Feb 16 Court ordered arrest of Interior Min’s head of explosive dept Gen Jabiri for buying fake bomb

detectors

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

Feb 16 4000 demonstration in Qadisiya for services jobs and local govt to resign 100s protested in Fallujah

and 2000 in Wasit Police fired at crowd in Wasit Killed 3 Protesters marched on Wasit governor’s house Led him to flee PM Maliki sent army andimposed curfew in Wasit

 

Feb 17 Protests in Sulaymaniya began demanding reform in KRG Attacked KDP HQ Fired upon by guards

killing 2 Protest in Irbil broken up by force Gorran offices attacked in 5 cities 1 of its TV stations banned

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Feb 17 500 protested in Wasit Called for governor to step down and services 600 protested in Basra

demanding governor resign Protesters in Dhi Qar set govt building on fire

Feb 17 PM Maliki promised to end Iraq’s electricity problems in 15 months Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Maliki Fires Iraq’s Electricity Minister, As Scapegoat For Summer Blackouts)

Feb 17 Report Article 102 of constitution said Human Rights Comm Election Comm Integrity Comm were

independent and under parliament Article 103 said Central Bank Board of Supreme Audi Communication Comm and Endowment Comm also independent Jan 2011 Supreme Court said they were all under cabinet because were executive offices Was most controversial court ruling since 2003 Rulings helped PM Maliki Court ruled largest block could be formed after 2010 election Meant Allawi wasn’t winner and gave Maliki 2^nd term as PM

 

Feb 18 Student protest in Sulaymaniya Police stopped them 5 killed

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 18 1000 protested in Basra demanding governor resign and for better services Some Sadrists joined in

 

Feb 19 Sulaymaniya protesters went to KDP headquarters to protest shooting of

            demonstrators on Feb 17 Police fired into crowd 2 died 14 wounded

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Feb 19 Sit in protest started in Wasit against provincial govt Protests in 5 parts of Baghdad over services

 

Feb 20 NRT TV had offices raided and burned for covering KRG protests

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 20 Protests in Ramadi and Dhi Qar over services and jobs Protesters in Baghdad attacked by men with

sticks and knives

Feb 20 Ayatollah Sistani statement said he stood with demands of protesters and criticized govt for not

providing services

 

Feb 21 Group of men attacked protesters in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square while police looked on

Feb 21 Protesters in Sulaymaniya threw stones at security forces who fired into crowd 1 killed

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 21 Speaker Nujafi said $40 bil from Development Fund for Iraq could not be found

(Musings On Iraq New Example Of Financial Mismanagement In Iraq)

Feb 21 Report People in Karbala said they had to pay bribes to govt officials to get paperwork through

bureaucracy Teacher said paid $1300 to get his job Person said had to pay $100 to get ID papers after 2 months One claimed govt purposefully delayed work to get bribes Teachers pushed students to pay for tutoring

 

Feb 22 Protest in Halabja at KDP HQ Called for new elections Police broke up crowd 20 injured

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 22 Independent Nalya Radio and TV station was set afire in Sulaymaniya probably by KDP

            supporters

Feb 22 Speaker Nujafi said $34 bil missing from Development Fund for Iraq Day before said it was $40

bil

(Musings On Iraq New Example Of Financial Mismanagement In Iraq)

 

Feb 23 National Reconciliation Min announced that 5 insurgent groups had agreed to join politics

Feb 23 Journalistic Freedoms Observatory office raided by ISF in Baghdad for covering protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

Feb 23 100s protested in Halabja in support of protests in Sulaymaniya 20 injured 1 killed in clashes with

security forces Attacked KDP HQ Called for early elections

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

 

Feb 24 Protest at PUK HQ in Sulaymaniya Police fired into crowd 1 guard killed 1 protesters wounded All

universities and institutes in Irbil closed to stop student protests Protests in Halabja turned violent as govt building burned and 3 died Protests in southern Kirkuk province

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 24 Kurdistan Students’ Union told students in Irbil had to end protests or all services at school

            would be closed to them

Feb 24 Interior Min said it arrested head of Ninewa anti-terrorism dept for taking bribes to release prisoners

Feb 24 Report Protesters set up camp in Baghdad’s Tahrir Sq to support Egyptian Arab Spring Feb 21 4 cars

pulled up and attacked demonstrators for an hour Accused them of being Baathists Protesters were robbed 3 people kidnapped Came after PM Maliki said demonstrators were going to be targeted 30 mins before attack electricity to square was cut off and police disappeared

Feb 24 Report PM Maliki told people not to attend Feb 25 planned Day of Rage protest Said Baathists and

Al Qaeda were going to manipulate the demonstrations Claims repeated by National Reconciliation Minister Baghdad Ops Command said there were threats of terrorist attacks against protests and media if they covered event

Feb 24 Report Youth groups calling for Feb 25 Day of Rage protests Said would be for a better Iraq against

corruption and be non-sectarian Many clerics including Ayatollah Sistani came out for the demonstrations PM Maliki used carrots and sticks against protests Promised generators and more electricity to towns and villages Claimed in 1 ½ years Iraq would produce so much electricity it would export some Promised full food rations Cancelled F-16 fighter deal to divert money to food rations Promised cash to make up for missing rations Held meetings with sheikhs and teachers warning that protests could be manipulated by Baathists to destabilize Iraq Interior Min said Al Qaeda and Baathists would attack Day of Rage Baghdad Ops Command issued order banning media from covering protests Closed roads to protest site in Baghdad Sadr told his followers not to participate

Feb 24 Report Protest organizer beaten and tortured by police Reporter taken by police and electrocuted for

covering protests in Baghdad

 

Feb 25 PM Maliki gave TV speech Said Baathists behind protests Said ISI would attack them Called on

people not to participate

Feb 25 1000s protested in Day of Rage against political system in Baghdad Ninewa Qadisiya Wasit

Salahaddin Basra Dhi Qar Anbar Sulaymaniya Kirkuk Irbil 29 killed by security forces during protests 100s arrested by ISF TV channel offices raided staff beat for covering protests Another had reporters arrested

(Musings On Iraq February 25, Iraq’s “Day of Rage”)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Government Cracks Down On Media Coverage Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Feb 25 Baghdad police broke up protest using water cannons and live ammo Afterward claimed didn’t use

live ammo Raided 9 media outlets Arrested 33 journalists 12 beaten

Feb 25 Dep Interior Min said Day of Rage was a Baathist coup attempt

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

Feb 25 Protests in Sulaymaniya Chamchamal Kalar Sayid Sadiq Hawija Riyad Irbil Guards fired at crowd in

Chamchamal killing one Govt offices burnt in Hawija 3 police killed Protesters demanded freedom at universities removing parties from govt admin re-doing KRG constitution appointing technocrats to govt justice for police that shot at demonstrations cutting salaries of top officials 7 members of Gorran arrested in Irbil

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 25 Pres Talabani went to Kuwait independence day in 3^rd move to normalize

            relations between 2 countries

Feb 25 PM Maliki forced out Basra Governor Abbud after Day of Rage protests

 

Feb 26 Riot police broke up protest in Sulaymaniya city 1 protester killed

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Feb 26 Gorran issued 17 point reform program in response to protests Included new elections

Feb 26 Report ISF arrested hundreds including journalists artists and intellectuals after Feb 25 Day of

Rage protests Detainees blamed Army intel of threats and torture

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

Feb 26 Insurgents attacked Baiji refinery largest in Iraq Stormed complex and bombed pipeline to facility

Shut down parts of refinery

Feb 26 Report Finance Min said it would add 170,000 new govt jobs Said many govt workers were

underemployed Would be used for patronage

 

Feb 27 Maliki set 100 day deadline to reform government in response to national protests

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki’s 100-Day Deadline For Iraq’s Ministries, Not What It Seems To Be)

(Musings On Iraq Maliki’s 100-Day Deadline To Improve Iraq’s Government Leads To Nothing)

Feb 27 After Imam gave speech at Sulaymaniya protest was arrested and beat by peshmerga

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Feb 27 Babil Gov Zarkani resigned after protests and pressure from Maliki

Feb 27 Report PUK and KDP said political parties tried to exploit Feb 25 Day of Rage protests Said govt

buildings were attacked in Kirkuk Hawija and other areas Claimed they were Baathists and terrorists in crowd Said it was part of a coup to overthrow the KRG Blamed Arab politicians in Kirkuk

Feb 27 Finance Min Issawi said he made deal with PM Maliki to stop arrests of protesters Didn’t stop

 

Feb 28 Sadrists began 7 day referendum about services Blamed PM Maliki for some of the problems Was

response to protests

Feb 28 Levin magazine started straw poll on whether KRG Pres Barzani should resign 130,000 voted yes

University students started drive for signatures to vote yes in poll

Feb 28 Protest in Baghdad for services Protesters stormed Basra govt building PM Maliki called for new

provincial elections in response to demonstrations

 

Mar 1 Sulaymaniya protesters threatened general strike if demands for reform not met in 48 hrs 7 died so far

in demonstrations

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Mar 1 Iraqi Turkmen Front called for withdrawal of Peshmerga from Kirkuk Said they could only be in KRG

 

Mar 2 Sadrists said they no longer supported PM Maliki because of his failures Accused Maliki of protecting

more than 4000 for corruption Was response to protests

Mar 2 Report 1000s of peshmerga deployed outside Kirkuk city Kurdish politicians in province claimed were

going to be attacks against Kurds Warned Kurds not to take part in protests Kurdish MP said Arab Political Council and tribal council planned to attack Asayesh govt offices and police stations Feb 25 during Day of Rage protest Arabs in Hawija dist had photos of Saddam Waved old Iraqi flag Called for Art 140 to decide fate of disputed areas be annulled ISF fired at crowd 1 killed Gorran accused KDP-PUK of coming up with plot in Kirkuk to distract from internal issues in KRG Said wanted Kurds to focus on Kirkuk rather than KRG Arab political council and Iraqi Turkmen Front demanded peshmerga withdraw from province US said peshmerga were only there to secure province

Mar 2 Report Oil Min in talks with Shell for 3 yrs over natural gas deal worth $12 bil Most gas flared because

no infrastructure to capture and use it Around 700 mil cubic ft/day of gas could be captured if developed Iraq had to decide who would build gas facilities at each field in Basra Would oil companies developing fields do it or other companies? Deal finished in Nov

Mar 2 Report Govt using bribes and force to stop protests Pressure on protests increased after Feb Day of

Rage PM Maliki responded with police and shooting into crowd ISF went after activists and journalists since then ISF and intel tried to find organizers especially those that used Internet Activist said organizers were arrested Govt denied any arrests Before protests govt handed out land loans money to reporters through journalists union Union denied bribes Most media didn’t report on Day of Rage Activists said bribes reason why Human rights activists said ISF targeted reporters in Mosul Baghdad Anbar for covering protests

Mar 2 Press Freedom Observatory made deal with Baghdad Ops Command to allow media to have live

coverage of protests

Mar 2 Karbala govt and MPs from province accused Baathists of being behind protests Claimed Baathists

had been arrested carrying weapons during protests Other MPs rejected claims

Mar 2 Report Basra Babil Wasit governors Fallujah city council 3 officials from Riyad dist in Kirkuk all

resigned due to protests

 

Mar 3 Allawi rejected heading Natl Council for Strategic Policies Allawi said PM Maliki hadn’t agreed to any

details about what council would do Natl Council was supposed to be consolation for Allawi after won election but PM Maliki out maneuvered him to stay in power Ruling parties agreed to power sharing agreement including council which Maliki never followed

Mar 3 Gorran and 2 Islamic parties boycotted Kurdish parliament in support of protests 2 reporters kidnapped

by Asayesh for covering demonstrations Were beaten and threatened

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 3 Report People said ISF trying to intimidate and arrest protesters Checkpoints around Sunni areas of

Baghdad to block people joining marches Dora special forces deployed Told people they couldn’t join protests 100s arrested on Feb 25 Day of Rage Taken to 11^th Army base tortured and raped Maliki denied any arrests Blamed media Baathists and Al Qaeda for exploiting protests

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

Mar 3 Dep Interior Min said Baathists were going to exploit protests 2 protest organizers arrested Baghdad

mayor resigned over demonstrations Rejected by PM Maliki

Mar 3 Report ISF arresting and intimidating protesters Sunni areas of Baghdad blocked off so couldn’t join

demonstrations PM Maliki denied arresting any protesters Blamed media Baathists and Al Qaeda for exploiting protests Said ISF were trying to prevent suicide bombers attacking demonstrations

 

Mar 4 Day of Regret protests Happened in Baghdad Mosul Salahaddin Diwaniya Dhi Qar Babil 5 reporters

arrested and beaten in Basra Police used force to break up Basra protest Police put up checkpoints to stop people from going to Baghdad protest

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

Mar 4 KRG Natural Resource Min said KRG oil exports reached 100,000 bar/day in Mar Wanted to reach 1

mil/bar/day by 2015 Didn’t happen

 

Mar 5 Sulaymaniya protesters started general strike Called for general public to join

 

Mar 6 Independent radio station in Kalar attacked by armed men for supporting protests Masked men set

tents on fire at protest square in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 6 Report Iraq lacked basics for economic growth Suffered from oil dependency Wasn’t competitive

outside oil and gas Ruling parties controlled resources Oil/gas dependency limited investment in rest of economy Led to little incentive to develop other parts of econ Iraq should use oil revenue to increase infrastructure schools hospitals housing 40% of Iraq under 14 yrs old High unemployment and limited amount of women working Meant big production increase unlikely

Mar 6 Report Basra official said PM Maliki no longer allowed provinces to issue permits for protests Only

Interior Min could do that now Move to stop protests

Mar 6 Report PM Maliki had ISF shut down Baghdad offices of Iraqi National Party of Mithal Alusi and

Iraqi Communist Party

 

Mar 7 100s protested in Baghdad demanding Baghdad govt resign ISF banned TV coverage of protests 10

activists arrested afterward 100s protested in Fallujah Called for end of corruption

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

Mar 7 Protesters in Sulaymaniyah attacked by security forces Raided tents demonstrators set up

Mar 7 Pres Talabani gave speech to commemorate 1991 uprising Said Kirkuk was the Kurdish Jerusalem and

should be annexed by KRG

Mar 7 Report Dep minister govt adv economists said govt couldn't improve economy PM’s adv on econ

affairs said major problem 4 mil govt workers Said govt had to work on investment Govt needed to protect investors/investments Help with licenses Open up land Said govt had limited investment capabilities because most of budget went to operational costs Said provinces should get more power to break centralization Economists said govt needed to reform finances Said too much corruption Ministries needed to be accountable Govt should form economic council that included economists to get better advice Member Baghdad Chamber of Commerce said govt needed financial discipline Said govt needed to plan budget based upon lower than expected oil prices to keep up with fluctuations Said budget surpluses should be kept in fund that would be used when oil prices dropped Head of central agency for statistics and Dep Planning Min said declining industries and farming were biggest problems in Iraq Said govt needed to emphasize more than just oil

Mar 7 Najaf govt voted to make province autonomous region Said goal was to improve services

 

Mar 8 PM Maliki closed offices of Iraqi Communist Party and Iraqi National Party of MP Alusi in

Baghdad for supporting protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Maliki Closes Down Two Political Parties For Supporting Protests)

Mar 8 Report Maliki govt trying to suppress protests and media for covering them PM Maliki claimed

Baathists and Al Qaeda behind protests 3 activists found murdered in Kirkuk 4 journalists arrested in Baghdad and tortured by army

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

Mar 8 Report Maliki govt and KRG cracked down on media for covering protests Feb 4 journalists arrested in

Baghdad restaurant by army Taken to base and tortured Army accused them of being Baathists 3 employees of Al Sumaria TV arrested and taken to army base Mar gunmen in uniforms vandalized radio station in Sulaymaniya Station had been covering protests Journalists covering protests in Basra beaten Journalistic Freedom Observatory said media under attack 24 cases of journalists beaten for covering protests

 

Mar 10 12 members of Najaf council signed petition to turn province into region Said was warning to

Baghdad they needed better services

Mar 10 Wasit Governor Tarfa dismissed on corruption charges Were protests demanding he be removed

Attacked govt building Police fired into crowd

Mar 10 Commander Rapid Reaction Force caught taking $50,000 bribe from real estate agent His guards

held off investigators so he could escape PM asked to turn over general Nothing done

Mar 10 KRG parliament held session on Sulaymaniya protests Questioned KRG PM Salih 1^st time ever

happened in KRG Survived no confidence vote

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Mar 10 Report Kurdistan media complained about threats for covering protests NRT office set on fire

Newspaper editor and Radio Nawa received threats Radio station attacked and looted  Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate said around 100 journalists threatened

Mar 10 Amnesty Intl report said that protesters had been arrested and tortured in Baghdad

Mar 10 Journalistic Freedoms Observatory said 160 attacks upon media last 2 weeks 33 reporters arrested

40 stopped from reporting and equipment damaged or taken 12 injured by ISF 9 media outlets raided by ISF 4 permanently closed Observatory was attacked as well

Mar 10 PM Maliki said parliament was to blame not just him for poor services Said parliament not passed

important laws for development Criticized parties that supported protests Said people had right to protest then that ISF had been killed and wounded by demonstrators

 

Mar 11 4,000 protested in Sulaymaniya demanding reforms 1 man tried to light himself on fire but

stopped

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Mar 11 KDP held rally against on going protests

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 11 Protests in Baghdad Fallujah Basra Najaf Hilla Ramadi Nasiriya calling for reforms end to

corruption services jobs Communists led protest in Baghdad

Mar 11 Maliki govt said it would meet electricity demand by 2014 Didn’t happen Claimed ISF were

killed and wounded by protesters

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

Mar 11 Report sahwa leader in Garma Anbar said half his fighters had left because didn’t think Baghdad

would employ them All sahwa were supposed to be integrated into govt by end of 2010 but delayed due to election Nothing happened after new govt formed

(Musings On Iraq No Date Set For When Iraqi Government Will Begin Hiring Sons Of Iraq Again)

 

Mar 12 Senior Judge said parties saw ministries as bank accounts for themselves No reason to prosecute

petty corruption cases when the ministers and parties plundered the state

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Mar 12 KDP-PUK alliance said that KRG would implement reforms in 3-4 months in response to protests

Never happened

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 12 KDP-PUK accused Gorran of working with Iranian Rev Guards and Muslim Scholars Association

to stoke protests in Sulaymaniya Gorran said accusations false and ruling parties against reforms

Mar 12 Report women politicians lacked power in govt 2^nd Maliki govt only had 1 woman minister Of 86

female MPs only 5 got enough votes to win seats Rest got seats via 25% quota for women Many were relatives of party members to gain quota seats

(Musings On Iraq Women Marginalized In New Iraqi Government)

(Musings On Iraq Interview Iraqi Women Before And After The 2003 Invasion, Interview With Prof Nadje Al-Ali Univ of London)

(Musings On Iraq Review What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq)

Mar 12 PM Maliki met with tribal leaders Asked them to limit protests claiming there was a conspiracy

against him

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

 

Mar 13 Report parliament investigating up to 20,000 govt workers suspected of having fake diplomas

Goes all the way to some ministers Buying fake diplomas common in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Tries To Tackle Bureaucratic Corruption By Addressing The Use Of Forged Papers)

Mar 13 Report Iraqi army had $27 mil worth of Humvee parts at depot in Taji Received parts twice

a year General in charge of facility valued parts on shelves over sending them to units Many units had to buy parts locally because can’t get them from army Units had to request parts from division HQ where general had to sign off on every order Army had gas ration for units based on working vehicles Incentive for commanders not to report broken vehicles and therefore not fix them Army didn’t value parts logistics or repairs US found 80% of Humvees in 2 Iraqi divisions needed new tires and batteries

 

Mar 14 Justice Min said it would close Camp Honor secret prison in Baghdad run

            by Maliki that used torture on prisoners Was not closed

Mar 14 KRG PM Salih said he agreed with all the demonstrators demands Were calling for political

reforms better services rise in living standards No serious changes made

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 14 Peshmerga found mass grave south of Kirkuk with 2,300 bodies Victims of Saddam

 

Mar 15 Kirkuk governor and provincial councilman resigned due to protests

(Musings On Iraq A Possible Power Sharing Deal Between Kurds And Turkmen Could Upset The Status Quo In Iraq’s Tamim Province)

 

Mar 16 PM Maliki said Saudi and UAE military deploying to Bahrain could lead to sectarian violence

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Will Have To Wait For Its Return To The Regional Stage)

 

Mar 18 KRG said that it would form committee to deal with protests in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 18 Sadrists claimed they conducted 3 mil people poll Results were close to protesters’ demands for

better services Attempt to co-opt demonstrations

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Hold Survey Of Iraqis, Trying To Take Over Leadership Of Protests)

(Musings On Iraq Sadrist Referendum On Services In Iraq Completed)

Mar 18 Police broke up protest in Fallujah calling for release of prisoners held without trial Was another

protest in Baghdad calling for reforms end of corruption and jobs

(Musings On Iraq Government Moves To Suppress Protests In Iraq)

 

Mar 19 Maliki said no secret prisons in Iraq after Camp Honor secret prison found in Baghdad

Mar 19 Day of the Prisoners protests Relatives of prisoners complained about conditions in

prisons and release of detainees

 

Mar 20 Head of Interior Min explosive dept Gen Jabiri arrested by Integrity Commission for bribery

involving fake bomb detectors Interior Min Inspector General believed 75% of money spent on devices went to kickbacks for officials

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

 

Mar 21 PM Maliki released 10,000 prisoners who didn’t have enough evidence against them Gesture

towards protest movement who demanded detainees be let go Maliki denied there were secret prisons Iraqi Human Rights Society said political parties and Maliki had their own prisons Justice Min recently shut down secret jail in Green Zone

Mar 21 Head of Sulaymaniya council said Pres Barzani promised to resign if reforms weren’t

implemented in response to protests Barzani said reforms would take 3-4 months Never happened

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

 

Mar 22 Gorran told Pres Barzani had to make good on his promises of reform after

            protests in Sulaymaniya

Mar 22 When police tried to break up protest in Halabja violence broke out with one

            policeman killed

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Mar 22 Oil Min Luaibi said Iraq would reach 6.5 mill/bar/day oil production by 2014 Didn’t happen

 

Mar 23 National Reconciliation Commission claimed 5 insurgent groups agreed to

            put down arms and join political process

(Musings On Iraq Protests Continue In Iraq)

Mar 23 Parliament committee said Iraq had been asked to join Gulf Cooperation Council Iraq refused to

join GCC’s Island Shield security forces because it had intervened in Bahrain

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Will Have To Wait For Its Return To The Regional Stage)

Mar 23 Bahrain’s Foreign Min Tweeted that the GCC wanted the Arab Summit in Baghdad canceled for

Iraq’s criticism of its internal affairs

 

Mar 25 ISF blocked all entrances to Tahrir Sq to try to block protests but happened

            anyway Were protests in Baghdad, Najaf, Diwaniya, Kut and Hillah against corruption

            and lack of services

(Musings On Iraq Protests Continue In Iraq)

Mar 25 Was 2^nd protest in Tahrir Sq against reconciliation with former Baathists probably organized

            by Dawa

Mar 25 37 Dawa officials in PM Maliki’s office found with fake diplomas

 

Mar 26 PM Maliki warned of sectarian conflict in Gulf after Saudi Arabia and UAE sent

            troops to Bahrain

Mar 26 Peshmerga announced withdrawal from parts of Kirkuk after political protests

 

Mar 28 IMF doubted Iraq could reach 12 mil/bar/day of oil production by 2017 Said infrastructure limited

production Said Iraq needed huge investment in ports pipelines desalination plants storage facilities

 

Mar 29 ISI attacked Tikrit provincial council building dressed in ISF uniforms Took hostages 3 councilmen

executed Then killed themselves and all hostages with suicide belts 55 dead 95 wounded

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Insurgents Aim To Grab Headlines Again With Attack Upon Salahaddin Provincial Council Building)

Mar 29 Parliament human rights committee found chronic abuses in Diyala prisons

including torture

Mar 29 Opposition parties boycotted KRG parliament because govt hadn’t responded

            to protest demands

Mar 29 Turkish Premier Erdogan went to Kurdistan first Turkish leader to visit region

(Musings On Iraq review Turkey, the US and Iraq)

Mar 29 Justice Min said that all prisoners at secret prison at Camp Honor would be transferred to prisons

run by ministry PM Maliki claimed there were no secret prisons or any abuse

Mar 29 Report 70% of people in KRG either worked for govt or received state subsidies

Mar 29 PM Maliki said he wanted a majority govt Said national unity govt a mockery

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

 

Mar 30 Accountability and Justice Comm ruled PM Maliki’s nominees for Interior and Defense

            Ministers made by Maliki were disqualified for Baathist past

Mar 30 Turkey’s Erdogan went on tour of Iraq to Baghdad 1^st Sunni leader to go to Najaf

            shrine 1^st Turkish leader to go to Irbil

Mar 30 Report Small/medium sized business hardly developed in Iraq due to high start up costs lack of

govt support power and water shortages security high tariffs Iraq has 35,000 industrial projects 85% of them idle The 15% that operated worked at 20% capacity

Mar 30 Report Iraqiya head Allawi refused to lead National Council for Strategic Policies which was part

of power sharing agreement to get PM Maliki 2^nd term

 

Mar 31 Pres Barzani said he would prosecute security members who fired on

            protesters in Sulaymaniya and those that led the demonstrations

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Mar 31 Protests in Kalar, Sulaymaniya became violent with rocks thrown at security

            forces

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Mar 31 Report Ugandan company got 146 women to work in Iraq in 2009 Were told they would work at

US army bases Ended up maids for Iraqis Reported abuses including rape One woman got 14 others to escape their employers and into a US base where got back to Uganda Company was connected to ruling party in Uganda so not held accountable

(Musings On Iraq BBC Reveals Uganda-Iraq Human Trafficking Ring)

 

Apr 1 Day of Innocent Detainees Protest in Baghdad against corruption and demanded release of

prisoners Activist who helped organize Feb Day of Rage protests arrested and not seen since

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Apr 1 4 wounded in protests in Kalar Sulaymaniya calling for reforms in KRG 2 of them were from

Gorran list Gorran MP said party’s followers were being targeted by security forces

 

Apr 2 56 wounded in clashes between police and protesters in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

 

Apr 4 Baghdad Operations Command accused Harith al-Dhari head of Muslim

            Scholars Association of being behind assassinations in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Spiritual Leader To Iraq’s Insurgency Harith Dhari Dies In Exile)

Apr 4 Day of Dignity protests in Baghdad

Apr 4 Opposition parties walked out of KRG parliament when Peshmerga and Interior

            ministers refused to appear for questioning over treatment of Sulaymaniya

            protests

Apr 4 Sulaymaniya protesters called on KRG government to resign Accused KRG of injustice wasting

money lack of rule of law

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

 

Apr 5 Speaker Nujafi said parliament would work with provinces to deal with detainees

            in response to protests

Apr 5 PM Maliki said ministries could reform in 100 days to respond to protests

Apr 5 Govt talks with 5 insurgent groups broke down

Apr 5 Islamic Union and Islamic Group in KRG called for govt to step down and interim

            one formed to carry out reforms due to protests

 

Apr 6 Iraqi Assoc of Defending Journalists accused govt of cracking down on reporters

            trying to cover protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

Apr 6 Gorran Islamic Union and Islamic Group said they wanted a transitional govt in

            Kurdistan

Apr 6 Report Insurgents in Mosul ran legitimate business Extorted money from govt and businesses

Kidnapped for ransom Contractor said paid 10% of each contract to ISI Govt offices paid money to insurgents IS charged money on trucking from Syria and Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Analyzing The Finances Of Al Qaeda In Iraq Interview With RAND’s Patrick Johnson)

Apr 6 Report Integrity Comm still looking into purchase of fake bomb detectors Cost $25/ea Iraq paid

$40,000/ea Investigating $200 mil development plan in Sadr City Baghdad mayor said project would provide up to 100,000 jobs and another 50,000 afterward 1^st phase was to build 82,000 housing units Commission said money couldn’t be accounted for

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

(Musings On Iraq Possible Corruption In Iraq’s Sadr City Development Project)

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Apr 6 Labor Min said it would make 50% of foreign companies’ workforce Iraqis 25% unemployment

Unofficially 40%

 

Apr 7 Report Oil companies running into problems working in Iraq with political disputes red tape

logistical problems lack of infrastructure

Apr 7 Def Sec Gates met with PM Maliki Dep PM Mutlaq Pres Talabani Pres Barzani to lobby Iraq to

allow US troops to stay in Iraq past Dec withdrawal date

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

(Musings On Iraq review Duty, Memoirs of a Secretary At War)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

 

Apr 8 Over 2,000 protested in Baghdad and Fallujah Demanded prisoners be released

            Some demanded US forces to leave

Apr 8 Soldiers from 11^th Div in civilian clothes arrested protest organizer and held him

            for a week and tortured him 

Apr 8 KDP and PUK rejected call by opposition to disband govt to meet demands of

            protesters

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 8 PM Maliki told Def Sec Gates Iraq did not need U.S. military presence after withdrawal at end of

year Gates was in Iraq to try to convince Maliki and political parties to accept stay behind force of US soldiers

(Musings On Iraq Extension Of U.S. Troop Presence In Iraq Likely To Be Last Minute If At All)

(Musings On Iraq review Duty, Memoirs of a Secretary At War)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Apr 8 Dep PM Shahristani told conference in Paris Iraq may give up 12 mil/bar/day production goal and

focus upon revenues Said production would reach 11.5 mil/bar/day by 2017-18 Didn’t happen

 

Apr 9 Sit in protest started in Mosul calling for US withdrawal Said govt was an American puppet

Apr 9 Protests in Babil started demanding provincial council disband and better services

Apr 9 Protests started in Fallujah calling for Fallujah council to disband over corruption

            and poor services

Apr 9 Sadr held anti-US demonstration in Baghdad Threatened to bring back Mahdi Army

            if US forces didn’t leave at end of year

(Musings On Iraq Iraq May See The Return of Sadr’s Mahdi Army)

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Could Be Backing Off Threat To Revive Mahdi Army If U.S. Doesn’t Withdraw)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Off Threat Of Reviving Mahdi Army)

Apr 9 Dep PM Mutlaq compared Maliki to Saddam

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 9 Speaker Nujafi said there was no power sharing in Iraq and PM Maliki concentrating

            authority in his hands

 

Apr 10 Sadr said that he still had a militia the Promised Day Brigades which continued to attack US forces

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Off Threat Of Reviving Mahdi Army)

 

Apr 11 PM Maliki said ISF ready to take over full security duties after US military withdrawal at end of

year

Apr 11 Govt spokesman Dabbagh said US military had to leave Iraq at end of year or would cause internal

problems

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

Apr 11 Another power sharing deal announced between Maliki Allawi and Kurds to try to

get security ministers named

Apr 11 Sulaymaniya protesters issued roadmap for negotiations with KRG including

            early elections and interim govt

Apr 11 Peshmerga Min survived no confidence vote in KRG parliament over treatment

            of protesters

Apr 11 Opposition parties boycotted KRG parliament over protests in Kurdistan

Apr 11 KRG PM Salah said Baghdad should pay oil companies operating in KRG Said KRG had filed bills

Oil Min refused to recognized KRG contracts KRG wanted independent contracts but Baghdad to pay its bills

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad And Kurdistan No Closer To Resolving Oil Dispute)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Apr 11 Report Ahmed Chalabi tried to advise different protest movements in Middle East Included

Bahrain Egypt Yemen

 

Apr 12 KDP and PUK said they were ready for unconditional talks with opposition over

            demands of Sulaymaniya protesters

Apr 12 PJAK attacked Iranian police station along Iran-Iraq border Iran shelled PJAK

            camps in Kurdistan

 

Apr 13 ISF raided union and women’s organization to arrest protest organizers in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Apr 13 Baghdad authorities tried to ban protests in Tahrir Square

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Military Adds New Restrictions On Protesters)

Apr 13 Head of Oil Police Gen Ibrahim said his forces were short 12,000 officers Led to

            signing 8,000 contractors

Apr 13 Report Split within ISCI Wanted to remove Ammar Hakim and Adel Abdul

            Mahdi and elect new leadership

Apr 13 Protesters in Sulaymaniya refused to meet with Pres Barzani delegation Protesters

            called for Barzani PM Salah and speaker to all step down

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 13 Report Gulf states asked Arab League to cancel summit in Baghdad due to Iraq criticizing

            crackdown in Bahrain

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Will Have To Wait For Its Return To The Regional Stage)

Apr 13 Report PM Maliki 1^st said Iraq needed US military presence past 2011 withdrawal Then

backtracked after National Coalition criticized him Sadr threatened to bring back Mahdi Army if US remained ISCI and Fadhila also came out against continued US presence

(Musings On Iraq Iraq May See The Return of Sadr’s Mahdi Army)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Apr 13 Report Mahdi Army graffiti seen in parts of Baghdad ISF tried to remove it but returned Fmr

Mahdi Army cmdr Abu Ali said his men were waiting for orders Said that his men were ready to attack US and Iraqis that worked with it

 

Apr 14 State of Law parliamentarians walked out of session to vote on vice presidents

            stopping election

Apr 14 Media activist beaten by Asayesh in Kalar

 

Apr 15 Protest in Baghdad demanding Maliki resign and prisoner release Was broken

up by police 20 protesters arrested in Baghdad and taken to secret prison at Muthanna Airport

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Military Adds New Restrictions On Protesters)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Apr 15 Turkmen Front said peshmerga and Asayesh not needed in Kirkuk and caused

            divisions

Apr 15 Iraq signed deal with Italy’s Technital to build Faw Port Never finished

(Musings On Iraq Iraq-Kuwait Argue Over Competing Port Plans In The Persian Gulf)

 

Apr 16 Finance Ministry investigated charges of $17 bil dinars being embezzled from

            Central Bank of Iraq Nothing came of inquiry

(Musings On Iraq Controversial Case Against Central Bank Of Iraq Officials Continues)

Apr 16 Police broke up protest in Baghdad’s Tahrir Sq calling for PM Maliki to resign Over 100 arrested

Apr 16 Iraqiya accused Baghdad Operations Command of trying to limit protests Threatened no

confidence vote against PM Maliki claiming his govt was a failure

Apr 16 Anbar council announced deal to end arbitrary arrests in province after

            negotiations with PM Maliki

Apr 16 Allawi said Iraqiya would withdraw from govt if power sharing agreement

            wasn’t implemented by Maliki

Apr 16 Kurdish security forces started arresting over 300 protesters in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 16 Report Trade Min bought $57 mil worth of cooking oil in 2008 Ordered it to be left until

prices negotiated Ended up sitting there until 2011 when no longer good for cooking

Apr 16 Report Jan head of Baghdad council wrote law banning sale of alcohol under Islamic law ISF

started raiding bars and clubs including Iraqi Writers Union Feb protests started over law ending raids

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Dawa Party Returning To Their Islamic Roots Or Just Trying To Shore Up Their Base? Attempts To Ban Alcohol, Set Public Dress Codes, And Attack Emos And Gays Raise The Question)

 

Apr 17 Ninewa Gov Nujafi joined anti-govt protests in Mosul and broke curfew imposed

            by Ninewa Ops Command to try to stop demonstration

Apr 17 Around 80 injured in clashes between Kurdish security forces and protesters

            in Sulaymaniya 7 shot

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Apr 17 Sadrist MP said ISF was capable of defending country without US help and blamed US for all of

Iraq’s problems Claimed there were CIA and Mossad agents working out of US embassy

 

Apr 18 Parliament repealed Article 136(b) that allowed ministers to stop corruption investigations

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Repeals Article Used To Block Corruption Investigations)

Apr 18 Anbar anti-terror police arrested 12 officers involved with insurgents Some were

            working with Syrian intelligence

Apr 18 Protests in Mosul Baghdad and others Called for better services Release of prisoners Against US

occupation Some said PM Maliki should step down

Apr 18 Delegation of tribes from Fallujah joined Mosul demonstration Included 76 sheikhs and imams

Apr 18 Kurdish security forces moved to evict protesters from central Sulaymaniya city Police

            fired into crowd wounding 6, 1 died, another 97 hurt by beatings Protest in Irbil broken up

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Apr 18 Kurdish court sentenced spokesman for Sulaymaniya protests to one month

            in jail for defaming a KRG MP

Apr 18 Were first protests in Irbil Were beaten by police 22 wounded

Apr 18 Report Integrity Comm said it believed 20,000 workers had fake diplomas Included high officials

and MPs Justice Min said 50,000 with fake papers Included high officials and MPs Sadr City sells forged papers Many forgers have contracts with govt offices to provide fake papers Could also get fake papers in Iran

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Tries To Tackle Bureaucratic Corruption By Addressing The Use Of Forged Papers)

 

Apr 19 Sulaymaniya govt banned all protests in city Declared state of emergency Police and peshmerga

broke up demonstration

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Apr 19 Report Oct-Nov 02 UK officials had meetings with oil executives Blair govt believed UK

companies would get share of Iraq’s oil and gas contracts for London taking part in invasion Trade Min Symons said she would lobby US for BP Also met with Shell and British Gas

Apr 19 Report KRG PM Salah wrote to Pres Talabani Said leadership of PUK couldn’t handle KRG

anymore Said he was ready to resign Said KDP and PUK were using mafia tactics against media Called for KDP and PUK house cleaning and new ministers

Apr 19 KRG parliament held no confidence vote against Interior Min Sinjari for handling of protests KDP

and PUK backed him MPs threw water bottles at each other

Apr 19 KRG Interior Min Sinjari said protesters didn’t have permits so couldn’t be protected

Apr 19 Reporters Without Borders condemned attacks on journalists in KRG by security forces Said

security forces indiscriminately fired at protesters and reporters Worried govt going after reporters and charging them

 

Apr 20 Mass grave found in Anbar with more than 800 bodies in it Victims of

            Saddam

Apr 20 Arab League delayed summit in Baghdad due to Iraqi govt complaints about crackdown in Bahrain

against Shiites Bahrain’s Foreign Min lobbied Gulf States to cancel summit

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Will Have To Wait For Its Return To The Regional Stage)

Apr 20 Courts issued warrants for 11 senior officials for corruption Included 1 minister 1 dep minister 1

case was sale of property in Baghdad for $1 mil when it was worth more than $800 mil Nothing happened

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Apr 20 Report Iraq’s electricity capacity double prewar levels Supply almost double prewar levels

Demand increased 73% from 2005-11 Demand continued to outgrow supply Most people paid nothing for power providing no incentive to control use

Apr 20 Report 2010 UN survey of refugees who returned to Baghdad found 61% regretted going back due

to lack of security 87% regretted returning because couldn’t afford cost of living Said health education housing were problems 77% couldn’t go back to original homes out of fear 40% of professionals left Iraq since 2003

 

Apr 21 Human Rights Watch report Govt arrested and tortured protesters in

            Baghdad Fired into crowds and held some in secret prison at Muthanna Airport

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Apr 21 Drive by shooting on opposition radio station that supported protests in Sulaymaniya

Apr 21 2 offices of Kurdistan Islamic Group attacked in Sulaymaniya  Sulaymaniya councilman from

Kurdistan Islamic Union had car blown up KIU said govt not dealing with demands of protesters

Apr 21 Lawyers protested in Fallujah demanding US withdrawal and release of prisoners

Apr 21 Army clashed with Gov Nujafi’s bodyguards trying to stop protest in Mosul against US occupation

and demanded release of prisoners Army imposed curfew in city

Apr 21 PM Maliki told US joint chiefs head Adm Mullen ISF could handle security after

            US withdrawal Mullen in Iraq to lobby for US forces to remain in Iraq after withdrawal date

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Apr 21 5,000 Sadrists held march in Basra to commemorate formation of Mahdi Army

(Musings On Iraq Iraq May See The Return of Sadr’s Mahdi Army)

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

 

Apr 22 Protests in Baghdad and Mosul Called for release of prisoners better

services fighting corruption US withdrawal ISF broke up protests in Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Continued Protests At Tahir Square In Baghdad, Iraq)

Apr 22 Sadr announced new social organizing project Munasiroon in Basra

 

Apr 23 Karbala governor said province should think about becoming a federal region due to neglect by

Baghdad

Apr 23 5,000 protested in Mosul demanding release of prisoners Gov Nujafi rejected appoint of new

provincial police chief Said Ninewa had no say in matter and sent by PM Maliki to suppress protests in Mosul

Apr 23 Sadrists marched in Baghdad against US occupation

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

Apr 23 Protest inside Sulaymaniya Univ Demanded arrest of security forces who used force against

demonstrations Protester shot on Apr 18 died 10^th death since protests started

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 23 Badr organized march in Baghdad in support of Shiites in Bahrain

 

Apr 24 Ayatollah Haeri in Iran issued fatwa against extending US troop presence in

            Iraq past 2011

Apr 24 Sadrists said they opposed any troop extension for US past end of year

Apr 24 Kurd opposition parties said KRG could either negotiate with protesters or

            suppress them

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 24 Press freedom group said 226 violations by KRG against media trying to cover

            Sulaymaniya protests

Apr 24 Bomb at Sacred Heart church in Baghdad

Apr 24 6,000 protested in Mosul demanding reform releasing prisoners end of US presence

Apr 24 Report Oil companies boosted production but Iraq didn’t have capacity to export more Led

some companies to cut back on output Iraq had contracts to build 16 new storage facilities 3 new pipelines 4 new floating terminals in Basra New pipeline and terminals contracts given after bribes

 

Apr 25 PM Maliki claimed power had been decentralized in response to national protests It wasn’t

Apr 25 ISF tried to stop protesters from gathering in Mosul Led to clash killing 1

            demonstrator and wounding 9 others

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Apr 25 Protest in Ramadi demanding US withdrawal close secret prisons and stop

            Iranian influence in country

Apr 25 Peshmerga Minister accused Kurdistan Islamic Group and Kurdistan Islamic

            Union of being saboteurs and fostering jihadists KIU said KRG had cut its monthly budget

Apr 25 Soldiers and KDP security got into shoot out in Kirkuk City after brother of 12^th Div

commander killed a taxi driver and was arrested

Apr 25 Speaker Nujafi said Iraq didn’t need US troops anymore and any extension

            would have to go through parliament

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

Apr 25 4^th round of oil and gas field auctions held

 

Apr 26 PM Maliki said his 100 day deadline to reform ministries started due to protests wasn’t actually to

change anything but to evaluate govt Said 100 days wasn’t enough time to change anything Criticized parties for attacking his govt for lack of services when they were all part of govt

Apr 26 State of Law held counter protest in Mosul supporting PM Maliki

Apr 26 Ninewa Gov Nujafi called for strike in response to security forces attacking

            protest camp in Mosul

Apr 26 Report PM Maliki said ISF wouldn’t be ready to secure country for 1-2 years Maliki had been

claiming since 2007 that ISF could handle security

Apr 26 PM Maliki’s State of Law said National Coalition would vote on continued US troops presence

after 2011 withdrawal date and it would vote no PM Maliki said consensus not to give extension to US troops past withdrawal

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Apr 26 Maliki govt sent letter to Pres Talabani asking him to annul law that cancelled Article 136b that

allowed ministers to block corruption investigations He didn’t have power anymore

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Repeals Article Used To Block Corruption Investigations)

Apr 26 Report arguments over costs of water injection plant with Exxon delayed project Work was

supposed to start in Apr Project never completed Exxon later dropped out

 

Apr 27 KRG report said police and protesters were both responsible for violence Govt was not ready to

deal with demonstrations

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 27 Interview with KRG Speaker Kirkuki Said parliament passed protesters 17 demands Said some had

been implemented and others being worked on Not true

Apr 27 Ninewa Ops commander Gen Khudayr blamed Naqshibandi Al Qaeda and other insurgents for

protests in Mosul

Apr 27 PM Maliki said govt had to fight corruption Response to protests At time Maliki was trying to

overturn law that ended Article 136b that allowed ministers to block corruption investigations

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Apr 28 1920 Rev Brigades and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq agreed to disarm and join politics after talks with

National Reconciliation Min Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Apr 28 Chief of staff of ISF Gen Zebari said Iraq would not be able to defend itself until 2020 Said didn’t

mean Iraq had to rely on US Could work with NATO or other countries on security

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Army Chief Of Staff Changes His Tune On Extending U.S. Military Presence)

Apr 28 US Gen 25^th Inf Div said Iranian backed Special Groups were attacking US forces

(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Policy Towards Iraq)

Apr 28 Sadrists said that if US stayed passed end of year that would justify attacks upon them PM Maliki

said parties hadn’t decided on whether US could keep stay behind force or not

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

Apr 28 Report activists said they were being tortured and intimidated by ISF Said govt targeting them

Activist tortured at police station Said afterward made to sign paper he would no longer protest

 

Apr 29 Obama’s National Security Adviser suggested 10,000 US troops stay in Iraq after

            withdrawal

(Musings On Iraq review Duty, Memoirs of a Secretary At War)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Apr 29 Sadr threatened to bring back Mahdi Army if US forces stayed past end of year

(Musings On Iraq Iraq May See The Return of Sadr’s Mahdi Army)

Apr 29 KRG security forces arrested one of top protest leaders in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 29 Report KRG saw longest sustained protests in Iraq since 03 KDP-PUK blamed opposition parties

Said they were trying to bring down govt Security forces went after activists More than 200 journalists harassed arrested tortured covering protests

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Kurdistan Broke Up Two Months Of Protests)

Apr 29 Anbar councilman Fallujah police chief and other officials arrested in Anbar

            Anbar Ops Command and PM Maliki blamed

Apr 29 Protest in Baghdad demanding end to corruption US withdrawal Release of prisoners

(Musings On Iraq Another Friday’s Protest In Iraq’s Tahrir Square, Baghdad, April 29, 2011)

 

Apr 30 Hundreds protested in Kut for better services and against corruption

Apr 30 Asayesh arrested four protest organizers trying to start demonstration in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

Apr 30 Interview with member of PUK politburo Said Islamic parties took over protests Claimed they

wanted to turn Sulaymaiya city into a war zone and that was why peshmerga deployed to city Said govt not PUK deployed security forces

Apr 30 US said Iranian investment projects in Karbala and Najaf were fronts for supported Asaib Ahl Al-

Haq and Kataib Hezbollah

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Policy Towards Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Apr 30 US Army accused Asaib Ahl Al-Haq of missile attacks on US bases Said it and Kataib Hezbollah

supported by Iran’s Quds Force

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Apr 30 US Special Insp Gen for Iraq Reconstruction report Iraq anti-corruption agencies faced political

interference lack of experiences judges that didn’t act on cases Head of Integrity Comm said certain officials off limits because of politics Said no transparency in govt spending Said commission could only go after low level officials Inspector generals at ministries said they would be fired if did high level investigations

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

May 1 KRG Dep Inter Min Karim said govt would not allow any protests without permission after

crackdown in Sulaymaniya People handing out flyers calling for protests were arrested

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

May 1 KRG opposition parties said they would go to court over govt cutting their budgets Apr Kurdistan

Islamic Group Kurdistan Islamic Union Gorran said budgets cut Happened after parties backed protests

 

May 2 Basra and Najaf tribes joined protest in Anbar against extending US troop stay

            in Iraq past end of year

May 2 Parliament investigation of Jan ISI prison break in Basra said had help from 2

intelligence officers

May 2 Fallujah Waste Water plant started partially working Work started 2004 after

            1^st Battle of Fallujah

May 2 Pres Talabani sent letter to parliament to veto law banning Article 136b that allowed ministers to

block corruption investigations Talabani no longer had veto power

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Repeals Article Used To Block Corruption Investigations)

May 2 Court in Sulaymaniya ordered arrest of top protest organizer Security forces filed lawsuit against

organizer for unlicensed protests

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on 2011 KRG protests)

 

May 3 National Reconciliation Ministry said Asaib Ahl Al-Haq was joining reconciliation process Didn’t

happen

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

May 3 KRG parliament passed law to unite PUK and KDP Peshmerga Never completed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Divided Kurds, Political Divisions Amongst The Peshmerga Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

May 3 National Alliance MP said PM Maliki asked Pres Talabani to veto the law cancelling Article 136b

used by ministers to block corruption cases Talabani no longer had veto powers

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Repeals Article Used To Block Corruption Investigations)

May 3 Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate said that attacks on journalists increased last two months due to

protests Blamed security forces for attacks arrests beatings Journalism Freedom Observatory said no press freedom in Iraq

May 3 Journalistic Freedom Observatory said Maliki govt harassing and arresting journalists Placing

restrictions on them ISF beat arrested and stopped reporters

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

 

May 4 Speaker of the House Boehner said US troops should stay in Iraq past the Dec withdrawal deadline

Came after trip to Iraq where he met PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

May 4 PM Maliki submitted new list of nominees for security ministries empty since 2010

            elections

May 4 Report April were 44 assassinations in Baghdad 31 in March 12 in Feb All used silencers ISI

blamed but political parties also involved

(Musings On Iraq Who Is Behind The Assassinations In Iraq?)

May 4 Govt worker at Baghdad mayoralty convicted of stealing $9 mil in salaries in 2010

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

May 4 MPs said found corruption in arms deal with Serbia

May 4 Men in peshmerga uniforms attacked Ruber Kurdish weekly in Irbil Took equipment Editor blamed

ruling parties

 

May 5 ISI suicide car bomb attacked Hillah police station Killed 25 Wounded 80 to mark bin

Laden’s death

(Musings On Iraq In Light Of Bin Laden’s Death Al Qaeda In Iraq Pledges Allegiance To His No. 2 Ayman Zawahiri)

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

May 5 Jaafari said Iranian revolution was inspiration for the Arab Spring Said Iran leader of an Islamic

awakening in Mideast

(Musings On Iraq Two Iraqi Leaders Praise Iran)

 

May 7 ISI members staged a prison revolt in Baghdad 6 police and 11 prisoners died Was failed escape

attempt Had help from Interior Min officials

(Musings On Iraq Al Qaeda In Iraq Had Official Help In Prison Escapes In Baghdad And Basra)

May 7 State of Law talked about annulling law that ended Article 136b used by ministers to stop

corruption investigations

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Repeals Article Used To Block Corruption Investigations)

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

May 7 Sadrist MP said movement would resist US politically militarily and through demonstrations if

didn’t withdraw by end of yr

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Could Be Backing Off Threat To Revive Mahdi Army If U.S. Doesn’t Withdraw)

 

May 8 Anbar councilman complained that ISF continued arrest of former ISF members

            after PM Maliki promised to end them

May 8 Report Dep PM Shahristani said Iraq had no plans on cutting its oil production goal of 12

mil/bar/day In Apr Shahristani said prediction should be revised to 8.5 mil/bar/day Iraq didn’t meet either goal

 

May 9 PM Maliki released insulting letter to Allawi

May 9 Former Health Minister and MP on health committee warned that Iraq had become part of drug

trafficking networks between Middle East and Europe

May 9 ISI gave allegiance to Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri and promised revenge for

            bin Laden’s death

(Musings On Iraq In Light Of Bin Laden’s Death Al Qaeda In Iraq Pledges Allegiance To His No. 2 Ayman Zawahiri)

 

May 10 Analyst estimated Iraq had lost $493 bil 03-11 due to bad administration planning

            and project delays

May 10 Army chief of staff Gen Zebari said US withdrawal would be bad for security in

            Iraq because ISF not ready to defend country until 2020

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Army Chief Of Staff Changes His Tune On Extending U.S. Military Presence)

May 10 Allawi released insulting letter to PM Maliki

May 10 Protest in Mosul demanding US withdrawal release of prisoners govt reform

 

May 11 PM Maliki said US forces could stay past end of year if ruling parties agreed They didn’t

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

May 11 Tribes in Basra threatened revolt if US forces stayed past end of year

May 11 KazMunaiGas withdrew from Akkas natural gas deal in Anbar Field auctioned in Oct 2010 South

Korea’s KOGAS now sole company on field Deal on field delayed due to protests by Anbar that wanted all gas to be used by province KOGAS eventually left

(Musings On Iraq First International Energy Company Pulls Out Of Iraq)

May 11 KRG Cultural Ministry threatened to shut down all unlicensed media outlets Would impose 8 new

regulations on all media Criticized as attempt to silence opposition parties

 

May 12 Parliament elected 3 VPs after 2010 elections Mahdi Hashemi and Khuzai

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Completes Another Pieces Of The Government Puzzle By Voting On Vice Presidents)

May 12 PM Blair’s communication dir Campbell told Chilcot Inquiry Sep 02 WMD dossier was not case

for war vs Iraq but why Blair concerned about Saddam Min of Defense dir of general intelligence Gen Laurie said dossier was to promote war Said previous drafts rejected because didn’t make strong enough case vs Iraq Said Defense Min under pressure to get more on Iraq to make argument for war Said in final draft every point was edited to make it as strong as possible Said conclusion of dossier was not supported by intel

May 12 MI6 told PM Blair’s foreign policy adv Manning Dec 01 that there was no intel linking Iraq to

jihadists Said removing Saddam important to secure oil supplies Would lead to secular state that would help against extremists Said Saddam could be removed in a coup Another memo from April 05 said Iraq war had radicalized many and increased terrorist threat Said made terrorists more determined to attack West Expanded Al Qaeda’s reach Had radicalized Muslims in UK

May 12 Report Survey found 50% of graduating primary students went to higher education Many schools

broken down More than 20% of primary kids around 4 mil students drop out each yr South Iraq up to 65% of kids don’t go to school Girls have least education

May 12 Sadrist leaders said 2/3 vote in parliament needed to approve US troop extension

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Could Be Backing Off Threat To Revive Mahdi Army If U.S. Doesn’t Withdraw)

May 12 ISCI leader Hakim called on Arab govts to end tension with Iran and form regional organization to

normalize relations with Tehran

(Musings On Iraq Two Iraqi Leaders Praise Iran)

 

May 13 Friday of Redemption protest in Baghdad called for better services and jobs Were calls for PM

Maliki to step down

(Musings On Iraq Protests In Iraq’s Tahrir Square Continue)

(Musings On Iraq May 20, 2011 Protests In Iraq’s Tahrir Square, Baghdad)

May 13 Iraqiya blamed PM Maliki for assassination attempts on 3 of its members

May 13 World Health Org report said Iraq one of only 2 countries where life expectancy

            went down in MENA Dropped from 68 to 66 yrs from 2000-09

May 13 Report MI6 drew up coup plot against Saddam in Dec 01

May 13 Parliament created special committee to implement Article 140 to determine future of disputed

territories Led to nothing

May 13 Sadr sermon in Najaf Appealed to public to get rid of US through protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Could Be Backing Off Threat To Revive Mahdi Army If U.S. Doesn’t Withdraw)

 

May 15 Sheikh Sulaiman said that tribes and politicians would make Anbar a federal

            region to protest Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Why Anbar’s Sheikh Ali Hatem Sulaiman Joined Iraq’s Protest Movement)

May 15 Salahaddin politicians met with Pres Barzani to discuss making province a

            federal region to protest Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

May 16 Senior Iraqi Air Force official said Iran tried to block Iraq buying F-16s from US

            using friendly political parties

May 16 Security official blamed militias for wave of assassinations and sticky bombs in

            Baghdad

May 16 Qadisiya council voted to make province a federal region to protest neglect by Baghdad

May 16 Investigation into IS prison break in Basra caught in political controversy with

            ruling parties interfering 2 members of Maliki’s office implicated

May 16 Sadrists rejected any talk of extending US troop presence in Iraq past end of year

 

May 17 Interior Min investigation found IS prison break in Baghdad had inside help

May 17 Baghdad Operations Command said most assassinations of ISF personnel were

            done by militias not ISI

May 17 Pres Barzani said he was ready to talk with opposition parties in KRG parliament

            about reforms

May 17 Report Kataib Hezbollah Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Promised Day Brigades picking up attacks on US to

claim responsibility for withdrawal Attacking logistics convoys coming from Kuwait

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

May 17 Report BP and CNPC owed over $1 bil for oil production and finally getting partial payment

 

May 19 Twin bombs in Kirkuk killed 30 wounded 90

 

May 20 5 Madhi Army commanders escaped Taji prison likely with inside help

(Musings On Iraq More Escapes From Iraq’s Prisons)

May 20 Report Sr UK intel official told Chilcot Inquiry intel agencies fought Blair govt over WMD dossier

Govt docs showed qualifications were dropped Cabinet wanted to make strong possible argument Iraq a threat

May 20 Protest in Baghdad for jobs and better services

(Musings On Iraq May 20, 2011 Protests In Iraq’s Tahrir Square, Baghdad)

 

May 21 PM Blair’s Communications Dir Campbell rejected intel official who said Iraq WMD dossier was

meant to advocate for war It was

May 21 IMF report on Iraq’s economy Predicted short term growth due to oil Suffered from poor budget

planning and execution Led to large number of unfunded projects Suggested cutting govt jobs and subsidies for fuel and state owned enterprises Warned of oil dependency Govt talked about diversifying economy but just spent money to expand the state

(Musings On Iraq IMF Report On Iraq’s Economy Sees Short-Term Growth, But Long-Term Structural Problems)

 

May 22 Red Cross interviewed people held ISF at Camp Honor in Baghdad Said they were tortured

May 22 Report South Gas Company wanted to move ahead with natural gas plan in Basra whether Shell

joined project or not Basra oil fields produce 1.1 bil cubic ft of natural gas/day Most burned off Iraq needed gas to fuel power plants

May 22 Report Illegal trade in kidneys for transplants thriving in Irbil Police did nothing because no laws

against donor trafficking in KRG

 

May 23 Adviser to Diyala governor arrested by Maliki to intimidate province to not

            move towards federal region

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 23 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri complained about ISI’s Baghdadi and Jabhat al-Nusra’s Julani Told them to

reconcile

May 23 Gulf Keystone said it was ready to export oil from KRG

May 23 Report Iraq signed deal to import natural gas from Iran to fuel power plants in Diyala

 

May 24 Anbar councilman blamed Syria for allowing insurgents to cross its

            border into Iraq

May 24 Ex-Trade Min Sudani accused of wasting $245 mil while in office on vegetable oil Ministry paid

$1,332 per ton but then listed price as $2,400 per ton Part of schemes to enrich himself and fund State of Law

(Musings On Iraq interview with fmr anti-graft official Vincent Foulk on corruption in Iraq)

May 24 Report US forces coming under increased attacks by militias as withdrawal date approached Feb

93 attacks on US 128 in Mar 162 in Apr

May 24 US Defense Secretary Gates went to Iraq to lobby for US troop presence past end of year

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

(Musings On Iraq review Duty, Memoirs of a Secretary At War)

May 24 Dep PM Sharistani complained KRG oil deals not transparent Didn’t have competitive bidding

Didn’t submit oil company bills to Baghdad to be compensated Said KRG acting autonomously and not thinking about Iraq as a whole

May 24 Report Major bottlenecks to increase oil output Needed high volumes of water to increase

pressure in oil fields Lack of facilities at major ports Old infrastructure Many companies hit a production mark but couldn’t increase it because infrastructure couldn’t handle more

May 24 Electricity Min said it would give free fuel to generator operators to try to maintain private power

production because state production inadequate to meet demand

May 24 Human Rights Watch Report KRG not committed to media freedom Trying to crackdown on

journalists using lawsuits beatings arrests death threats

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

May 24 Report Iraq wanted to develop Faw peninsula into major new port Kuwait began construction of

new port directly across from Faw in May Iraq only had plans for Faw

(Musings On Iraq Iraq-Kuwait Argue Over Competing Port Plans In The Persian Gulf)

 

May 25 Iraq ranked 2^nd to last in Global Peace Index Was in last place in 2010

May 25 Dep PM Shahristani said Iraq could not defend itself after US withdrawal at end of year

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

May 25 Report Iraq linked signing of new trade agreement with Turkey with allowing more water down

Euphrates and Tigris Turkey refused

May 25 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq blamed for assassinations of Defense and Interior Min officials

Reportedly was response to PM Maliki promising them govt positions if laid down weapons. Never gave up arms

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

May 25 Transportation Minister threatened to resign if Greater Faw Port not completed Called for govt to

appropriate money for project Never completed

 

May 26 Interior Ministry Explosive head Gen Jabri released after arrested for involvement

in buying fake bomb detectors Interior Min Inspector General believed 75% of money spent on devices went to kickbacks

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

May 26 Accountability and Justice Comm head Ali al-Lami killed in east Mosul ISI blamed US

thought Asaib Ahl Al-Haq responsible

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Divisive DeBaathification Official Gunned Down In Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq Al Qaeda In Iraq Behind DeBaathification Leader’s Death)

May 26 Sadr told BBC that his militia was attacking US forces as they were withdrawing

            from Iraq Sadrists held rally in Baghdad against US occupation

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Off Threat Of Reviving Mahdi Army)

May 26 Report Iraq had been talking about developing Faw port since 2004 No construction Planned $6

bil port 1^st stage of construction supposed to be done by 2014 Feb 2010 Transportation Min said it would lay cornerstone Didn’t happen until April 2011

May 26 Speaker Nujafi rejected PM Maliki’s claim only cabinet not parliament could make law Nujafi

said parliament could draft bills and send them to cabinet

 

May 27 Anbar council rejected protest calls to make province federal region Most was to protest Maliki

govt

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 27 False Promise Friday Protest in Baghdad over lack of services demanded release of prisoners 4

organizers arrested

(Musings On Iraq May 27, 2011 Protest In Iraq’s Tahrir Square, Baghdad)

May 27 4 protest organizers arrested by 11^th Div soldiers Govt denied they were held Were detained until

start of June

(Musings On Iraq Attempt To Squelch Iraq Protests By Government Fails)

 

May 28 Protests and clashes in Ramadi after raid killed police chief ISF said he was

            linked to ISI Residents complained about army raids

May 28 ISF raided protest organization HQ in Baghdad arresting 11 activists

(Musings On Iraq More Protesters Arrested In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq June 3, 2011 Protest In Iraq’s Tahrir Square)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

May 28 Report Maliki turning to Asaib Ahl Al-Haq to counter Sadrists in Baghdad and southern Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

May 29 Iraqiya nominee for Def Min Obeidi escaped sticky bomb attempt on his life

            in Mosul

May 29 Iraq and Jordan signed agreement to build railway connecting two Never went forward

May 29 1 Baghdad activist released Said he was taken by 11^th Div with no warrant Beaten by soldiers

 

May 30 Ninewa Gov Nujafi escaped bombing on his motorcade in Mosul

May 30 Maysan council voted to keep US forces out of province as objection to a US raid

May 30 VP Mahdi resigned saying position no longer held power and Najaf objected to

            way VPs elected

 

May 31 ISI cell arrested that created fake human rights organization as front group

May 31 Protests in Ramadi demanding army withdraw from city after police chief

            killed in raid

May 31 Report Foreign Sec Straw Sec State Powell met in NY city Feb 2002 Straw worried

statements by PM Blair and Bush on Iraq’s WMD couldn’t be proved Said lack of supporting evidence Much of intel was assumptions and assessments with little hard facts Powell had same concern Powell worried about Pentagon’s Office of Special Plans and Dep Def Sec Wolfowitz Said intel he saw at CIA was circumstantial Hoped that when facts were revealed claims would not blow up in their faces

May 31 Report Brokers sold forged docs so people could get jobs in govt and ISF Primary school diploma

cost $250 College diploma $3000

 

Jun 1 Second day of protests in Ramadi Called for army to withdraw from city after police chief killed in

army raid Ground Forces Commander Gen Ghidan made agreement with Anbar govt to move soldiers out of cities due to protests after raid

Jun 1 Amnesty Intl called on Maliki govt to stop repression of protests in Baghdad by

            arresting leaders

Jun 1 Protest in Nasiriyah calling for jobs services and demanded Dhi Qar govt step down

Jun 1 Human Rights Minister escaped assassination attempt by sticky bomb in Baghdad

Jun 1 Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Iraq worse country in world due to

            deaths of reporters Said targeted killings of journalists increased since 2010

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Is The Most Dangerous Place In The World For Journalists)

Jun 1 Oil Min signed deal with South Korea’s KOGAS to develop Akkas gas field in

            Anbar Would withdraw due to lack of security

Jun 1 Report State Dept Inspector Gen said State not ready to take over operations in Iraq from Pentagon

Supposed to run military sales and advising training equipping ISF Some programs not ready Others behind schedule Couldn’t accommodate extra staff Didn’t have enough money

 

Jun 2 Obama told PM Maliki wanted Iraq parliament to approve stay behind US forces

            Maliki disagreed saying no new deal needed

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

Jun 2 Survey Iraqis seeing country going in right direction 45% in Nov 2010 Wrong direction 49% in Mar

2011

Jun 2 Human Rights Watch report govt arrested and beat protest leaders in Baghdad

Jun 2 PM Maliki ordered investigation of Trade Bank in Iraq after refused to back deal

            made by Maliki with S. Korean company Maliki led raid of bank

 

Jun 3 Suicide bomber in mosque in Tikrit during Friday prayers and then suicide

            bomber on hospital 21 killed 70 wounded

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Jun 3 Diyala governor threatened to resign if federal troops continued to carry out raids

            and arrests in province 1 of his advisors arrested in May

Jun 3 VP Hashemi accused Maliki of monopolizing power

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Jun 3 Protest in Baghdad for better services political reforms release of 4 activists arrested in May

(Musings On Iraq June 3, 2011 Protest In Iraq’s Tahrir Square)

Jun 3 Report 4 Baghdad activists arrested in May Govt denied their arrests for days Families said denied

access and lawyers couldn’t see them Human Rights Min wouldn’t deal with case Army raided another meeting of activists Arrested 9

Jun 3 US govt report US had to plan for Iraq to maintain projects and programs after withdrawal end of

2011 Found no evidence US making plans Inspections found billions in waste for US funded projects Could continue to waste into future US spent $345 mil on health care centers Paid contractors to operate and repair facilities for 1 yr Didn’t build capacity for Health Min to run them afterward US built water treatment plant in Nasiriya without a power source Doesn’t work US made grand plans for rebuilding Iraq without analyzing situation on ground

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Reconstruction Projects In Iraq And Afghanistan Going To Waste Because Of Lack Of Planning)

(Musings On Iraq review Hard Lessons, The Iraq Reconstruction Experience)

 

Jun 4 Report PM Maliki’s office planned to stop demonstrations in Baghdad and arrest protest leaders

Jun 4 Activists met in Turkey to plan protests after PM Maliki’s 100 day reform program ended Met in

Turkey because of govt crackdown in Iraq

Jun 4 Head of Baghdad Ops Command admitted govt held 4 protest organizers Said they would be released

soon

(Musings On Iraq Attempt To Squelch Iraq Protests By Government Fails)

Jun 4 Kurdish opposition presented reform program to KDP and PUK after Sulaymaniya

            protests broken up Nothing came of it

Jun 4 Dep PM Shahristani said Iraq would reach 3 mil/bar/day in oil production by

            end of 2011 It didn’t

Jun 4 PM Maliki said national unity govt didn’t work and called for majority rule

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

 

Jun 5 Report violence increasing in Iraq 2010 vs 2011

Jun 5 PM Maliki told human rights conference that some human rights groups were

            actually terrorists and criticized Baghdad protests

Jun 5 PM Maliki replaced head of Trade Bank of Iraq Arrest warrant issued for old head

            because didn’t back Maliki business deal

Jun 5 Rockets fired at Zubayr oil field in Basra Set oil reserves on fire

Jun 5 Iraq signed deals for two natural gas fields in Mansuriya in Diyala and Siba in Basra

 

Jun 6 6 US soldiers killed in rocket attack in Baghdad by Kataib Hezbollah most lost in

one attack since 2009

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

(Musings On Iraq Special Groups Continue Attacks In Iraq As 5 American Soldiers Killed In Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah Brigades Takes Responsibility For Deaths Of Five Americans Soldiers In Iraq)

 

Jun 7 Maliki’s 100 day deadline to reform ministries ended with no changes Was to

            appease protesters

(Musings On Iraq Maliki’s 100-Day Deadline To Improve Iraq’s Government Leads To Nothing)

Jun 7 Army started withdrawing from Fallujah as part of deal with Anbar govt to

            pull out of urban areas

Jun 7 Report Oil Min Luaibi asked consultants to lower production goals and extend timeline Before Oil

Min said Iraq would reach 12 mil/bar/day in production by 2017 Luaibi now said Iraq could reach 8 mil/bar/day by 2024-25

Jun 7 4 Protest organizers released by govt Arrested by soldiers May 27 in Baghdad Activists held press

conference Said taken to Muthanna Prison and abused Accused of fake IDs Tearing up posters of PM Maliki Said they were Baathists and terrorists Demanded Maliki apologize to them

(Musings On Iraq Attempt To Squelch Iraq Protests By Government Fails)

 

Jun 8 Maliki said he was ready for another 100 day reform plan after 1^st ended with

            no changes

Jun 8 Maliki said he was removing Chalabi as head of Accountability and Justice

            Commission

Jun 8 Electricity Min Ani appeared on TV Said PM Maliki hadn’t given him promised money for new

power projects

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Heading For Another Hot Summer)

 

Jun 9 CIA Dir Panetta estimated 1,000 ISI fighters left in Iraq

Jun 9 Baghdad closed off Tahrir Square to protesters while pro-Dawa protesters

            allowed to march

Jun 9 Report PM Maliki taking over ISF Was acting Defense Interior National Security Ministers Head of

intel agencies Dismissed 600 officers based on their party affiliations Ops Commands under Maliki’s control

Jun 9 Report BP CEO said Iraq’s oil production would likely be half of what it was claiming Said lack of

infrastructure would hinder development Said Iraq would likely reach 5-6 mil/bar/day in production It didn’t

 

Jun 10 Pro-Maliki tribesmen and plainclothes police attacked protesters in Baghdad Burned images of

Allawi ISF did nothing 1000s protested in Basra Diwaniya Nasiriya Najaf Kirkuk Karbala Hillah Mosul demanding reforms services early elections

(Musings On Iraq National Protests Return To Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Maliki Counter Iraq’s Protest Movement With A Demonstration And Media Campaign Of His Own)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Maliki Using Infiltrators And Tribal Support Councils Against Demonstrators)

Jun 10 Allawi attacked Maliki calling him a liar hypocrite and agent of Iran

Jun 10 Natl Sec Adv Donilon told US Iraq cmdr Gen Austin and Amb Jeffrey they could enter talks

with Iraq over US troops staying post Dec 2011 withdrawal date but couldn’t mention troop levels Obama admin didn’t want to be seen to be advocating for stay behind force Also thought Iraqis wanted fewer troops than US wanted Many in US thought Iraq wanted more US troops

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

 

Jun 11 Protest organizers held press conference complaining about pro-Dawa tribesmen

            beating them in Baghdad day before

 

Jun 12 Suicide car bombing on Basra police headquarters killing 5

Jun 12 Sadr bloc threatened to pull out of National Coalition and push no confidence

            vote against Maliki if US troops given extension to stay in Iraq

Jun 12 US Amb to Iraq Jeffries said majority of Iraqi blocs supported troop extension for

            US except Sadr

Jun 12 Iraqiya withdrew from parliament after pro-Maliki march in Baghdad burned

            Allawi’s picture

 

Jun 13 Organization for Women’s Freedom in Iraq tried to hold press conference on women beaten during

Jun 10 protests Broken up by plain clothes police

Jun 13 Report PM Maliki said public confused about his 100 day deadline for reform Said people thought

he would hold ministries accountable for problems He said that would take more time

Jun 13 Report Under CPA US flew in $12 bil in US cash into Iraq US couldn’t account for $6.6 bil Auditors

thought some of it was stolen Special Inspector General for Iraq Recon said it was “largest theft of funds in [US] history” Iraqi officials main suspects Pentagon claimed for 6 yrs it could find money but didn’t Was actually bad accounting by CPA

(Musings On Iraq The Missing $6.6 Billion In Iraq Reconstruction Funds)

(Musings On Iraq More On Iraq’s Missing Billions In Reconstruction Funds)

(Musings On Iraq Bad Record Keeping Not Corruption Behind Missing $6.6 Billion In Iraq Reconstructoin Funds)

(Musings On Iraq Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction’s “Hard Lessons” Chapter 8 “Treasury’s Triage”)

Jun 13 Report Activists in Sulaymaniya said opposition didn’t speak for them and shouldn’t be meeting

with KDP-PUK over reforms Said KDP-PUK should talk to protesters

Jun 13 Foreign and Transportations ministers signed deal with Kuwait to adapt its port building plan to

accommodate Iraq’s Faw port

(Musings On Iraq Iraq-Kuwait Argue Over Competing Port Plans In The Persian Gulf)

Jun 13 Report Feb Baghdad Ops Cmdr raided Journalistic Freedoms Observatory Part of crackdown upon

protests PM Maliki said Baathists behind demonstrations and ISI would attack them Called on people not to participate Feb 25 ISF broke up protest in Baghdad using water cannons and live ammo Later claimed no ammo was used 9 media orgs raided afterward 33 journalists arrested 12 beaten

Jun 13 Report US got PM Maliki and Allawi to agree on power sharing agreement to create 2^nd Maliki term

Allawi supposed to head National Council for Strategic Policy that would have executive power Would require constitutional amend to have power Never happened Allawi never headed council He lost his leverage in forming govt when agreed to deal His Iraqiya coalition split afterward to gain positions in govt Mutlaq became Dep PM for services but has no power over ministries

 

Jun 14 ISI attacked Diyala provincial council building in Baquba Took ISF 2 hrs to control situation

Jun 14 Maliki said he wanted to reduce the number of ministries in response to protests

Jun 13 Report Head of Trade Bank of Iraq Azri fled Iraq after PM Maliki led raid on Bank start of Jun Said

Maliki wanted to control bank

 

Jun 15 KRG opposition parties welcomed Pres Barzani’s reform proposals Never

            followed through with

Jun 15 Sadrists dared Maliki to try to form a majority govt

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

 

Jun 16 Maliki gave TV speech saying militias had infiltrated Interior Ministry and carried out

assassinations Said Baghdad protests were illegal and threatened security Said ISF would not be ready to secure Iraq after US forces withdrew at end of year

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

Jun 16 Maliki govt said it wanted to end displaced problem by end of 2011 Many displaced afraid to

return home Didn’t end problem

Jun 16 Report Maliki govt organized pro-govt marches in Baghdad Included ISF in civilian clothes Govt

printed posters of Maliki for marches Beat protesters

 

Jun 17 ISI took responsibility for killing deputy head of deBaathification Comm Lami

(Musings On Iraq Al Qaeda In Iraq Behind DeBaathification Leader’s Death)

Jun 17 Anbar councilman said Syria still supporting insurgency

Jun 17 Maliki organized second march for his government in Baghdad and Karbala

Jun 17 Protests held in Baghdad and Dhi Qar against corruption Baghdad protesters

            attacked by Maliki supporters 2^nd time

(Musings On Iraq Maliki Counter Iraq’s Protest Movement With A Demonstration And Media Campaign Of His Own)

Jun 17 Activists created committee to hold talks with Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad Meets With Iraq Protest Leaders)

Jun 17 Report 1000s of foreign workers employed in Iraq Many are illegal Go through employment

agencies that steal their money Nepali worker paid $5000 to get job in Iraq Govt trying to clamp down on foreign workers because of high unemployment

Jun 17 Electricity Min spokesman said govt may only be able to provide less than half of electricity needs

during summer

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Heading For Another Hot Summer)

 

Jun 18 Shooting between Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in Sadr City

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 18 Report Azri Dir Gen of Trade Bank of Iraq said he met PM Maliki Jun 2 He asked for $6 bil in

financing for deal with SKorean company without any guarantees Afterward Maliki aide said bank under investigation Maliki then raided bank and Azri fled to Jordan Said all the charges were political

Jun 18 Dep PM Shahristani said by end of 2013 Iraq would ends it electricity problems Didn’t

Jun 18 Report Sadr followed dual track policy Criticized PM Maliki while supporting him Starting Feb

Sadr began calling Maliki dictator Complained about lack of services Same time said PM should not be removed After Election Comm head arrested by Maliki Sadr increased his comments Started meeting with Barzani and Allawi Supported no confidence vote Iran pressured Sadr to stop

 

Jun 19 Def Sec Gates blamed Iran for giving weapons to Special Groups who were

            attacking US forces before withdrawal

(Musings On Iraq Overview of Iran’s Influence In Iraq)

Jun 19 1^st Iraqi army unit received artillery from US

Jun 19 Maliki govt accused Communist party and civil groups for protests in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

Jun 19 Speaker Nujafi told Al Jazeera that $18.7 bil was missing in Iraqi funds used by US for     reconstruction

(Musings On Iraq More On Iraq’s Missing Billions In Reconstruction Funds)

Jun 19 Shell and Mitsubishi began preparatory work for capturing natural gas in Basra Deal was signed in

2008

(Musings On Iraq Iraq-Shell Natural Gas Deal May Finally Become A Reality)

 

Jun 20 After Sadrists got into shootout with ex-Mahdi Army member Abu Dura’s followers Sadr called for

arrest and punishment of Abu Dura known as Shiite Zarqawi

(Musings On Iraq Armed Clash Erupts In Iraq Between Sadrists And Breakaway Faction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Confronts Breakaway Faction)

Jun 20 Protest movement split Some met with govt Others formed new group and called the others

traitors

(Musings On Iraq And Iraq’s Protest Movement Splits)

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad Meets With Iraq Protest Leaders)

Jun 20 Parliament security comm found 19,000 fake degrees used by Interior and Defense Ministry

officials

 

Jun 21 PM Maliki called for Ninewa Gov Nujafi to be dismissed Said he violated constitution by holding

talks with Kurds over oil deals in disputed areas

Jun 21 Report Since 2006 KRG offered land to lure foreign investors Also exempted them from taxes for

10 yrs and tariffs for 5 Kurdistan Investment Board said more than $17 bil invested in KRG since 2006 Only 5% of foreign investment went to industry and farming KRG inspector gen said region didn’t get any major projects that would provide long term benefits KRG defended policy

Jun 21 Iraqiya said it had evidence PM Maliki using Asaib Ahl Al-Haq to carry out assassinations Claimed

came after deal made with Iran

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 21 Report Speaker Nujafi said he was ready to oust PM Maliki if he didn’t share power

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Jun 21 Interview with secretary gen of Sadr bloc Said no confidence vote vs PM Maliki started after 2011

protests and Maliki not following Irbil agreement after 2010 vote Maliki also went after VP Hashemi and Dep PM Mutlaq Claimed Sadr was neutral in dispute Claimed Pres Talabani came up with no confidence vote Untrue Sadr backed no confidence vote while supporting Maliki Talabani opposed no confidence

 

Jun 22 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq carried out recruiting program to get people to attack US forces before

they withdrew from Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 22 Report Sulaymaniya had 249,000 govt workers 77,000 on pensions 60,000 on govt benefits Govt

relied on oil and gas revenue Dependent on oil that crippled private enterprise Most goods and services imported by KRG Most big companies associated or owned by KDP-PUK

Jun 22 PM Maliki ordered Election Comm to suspend work so it could be reformed Commission refused

saying it was under authority of parliament Claimed Maliki wanted to take it over

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Fails To Unseat Election Commission)

 

Jun 23 Report Scientists believed southern pipeline completely disintegrated and only concrete tube Oil

Min didn’t test pipeline out of fear it would burst Signed contract with Australian company to build new pipeline by end of 2012 Almost all oil deals with intl energy companies had to be renegotiated because production goals weren’t possible due to poor infrastructure Oil Min Luaibi changed prediction from 7-8 mil/bar/day in production by 2017 to 2025 

Jun 23 Report Baghdad threatened to cut KRG’s budget over control of Khurmala Dome oil field in

Kirkuk KRG claims control of field 2008 KRG drove Oil Min workers away from field KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami claimed field not in disputed area but KRG

Jun 23 Report Eni and Saipem oil companies investigated in Rome for allegedly giving bribes to win oil

contracts in Iraq

Jun 23 Iraq signed 1 yr deal to buy 1.5 mil liters of diesel fuel/day from Iran for power station in

Baghdad

 

Jun 24 100s protested in Baghdad demanding officials be fired technocratic govt end to sectarianism

better services release of prisoners Met by 100s of tribesmen and Dawa counter-protesters organized by PM Maliki Also protest in Nasiriya for services

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement Sputters)

Jun 24 Report Diesel fuel used for power stations regularly stolen by contractors and Electricity Min

officials 120 tankers left Baiji refinery and never showed up 250 tankers went missing in Baghdad No way to stop because corrupt officials

 

Jun 27 Sadr’s Promised Day Brigade took responsibility for 10 rocket-mortar attacks on US bases in

Baghdad Ninewa Diyala Kirkuk Basra Maysan Dhi Qar Muthanna Also IEDs vs US patrols Admitted that ISF had been killed and wounded in attacks

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Off Threat Of Reviving Mahdi Army)

Jun 27 State Dept Iraq 2^nd worst rank in human trafficking Cases going up Govt doing nothing Iraq both

source and destination for sex slaves and illegal workers Iraqi women/girls sent to Syria Lebanon Jordan Kuwait UAE Turkey Iran Yemen Saudi Arabia for prostitution/slavery Women told they were getting job and then put in sex trade 1 work agency raped women on film and used it to blackmail them into prostitution Others bailed women out of prison and told them they had to work off debt via prostitution Women from Iran China Philippines sent to Iraq as prostitutes Illegal workers came from Bangladesh Thailand Pakistan Georgia Jordan Uganda to Iraq

Jun 27 Human Rights Min said allegations of torture didn’t prove it happened Parliament’s human rights

comm visited prison and found torture Prisoners held for yrs with no court date Prisoners whose files were lost People who were supposed to be released but still held Committee had been working on abuse for yrs with no solutions

Jun 27 Iraq produced record high in wheat 1.5 mil tons Need was 4 mil Difference would be imported

Jun 27 Iraqi army 10^th Div arrived in Zummar Ninewa disputed area Told Peshmerga to leave but refused

Led to week long standoff

 

Jun 28 Report State of Law sources said PM Maliki ordered Dawa to use Tribal Support Councils to

            suppress any protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Maliki Using Infiltrators And Tribal Support Councils Against Demonstrators)

 

Jun 29 Report Def Sec Gates accused Special Groups of attacking US forces backed by Iran Said 40% of

US deaths since 2010 happened in last few months Said Iran and militias wanted to take credit for US withdrawal

 

Jun 30 MP on integrity committee said court issued warrant for fmr Trade Min Sudani for stealing $55 mil

Was arrested in 2009 Acquitted 2010 MP said there was political pressure on case PM Maliki interfered in 2009 case Sudani from Maliki’s Dawa Part of stolen money paid for his 2009 and 2010 election campaigns

(Musings On Iraq interview with fmr anti-graft official Vincent Foulk on corruption in Iraq)

Jun 30 Report Feb new tariffs started to cut cheap imports which flooded Iraq Hurt businesses Mar

tariffs suspended

Jun 30 Report 15 US soldiers killed in Jun Kataib Hezbollah and Sadr’s Promised Day Brigades blamed

Most US combat deaths since Jun 08 New wave of attacks by Special Groups began Mar 11 when Obama admin said it wanted a troop extension past 2011 withdrawal

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Off Threat Of Reviving Mahdi Army)

Jun 30 Report Democracy and Human Rights Development Center said 100s of human rights violations in

KRG in 2010 416 lawsuits for arrests without investigations 220 court violations like no lawyer or not allowing suspect to testify Police Asayesh judges ignored laws

Jun 30 Human Rights Watch Demanded investigation into police clash with protesters in Baghdad in Jun

Men with pipes knives and sticks attacked protesters Police did nothing and supported attack 2 Defense Min officials said 150 plain clothes police and soldiers infiltrated protests and then attacked them Called protesters Baathists Chanted pro-PM Maliki slogans

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Maliki Using Infiltrators And Tribal Support Councils Against Demonstrators)

Jun 30 Maliki govt said it would launch op vs Special Groups in Maysan Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq A False Offensive In Iraq Against Special Groups, May Have Served A Political Purpose)

 

Jul 1 100s protested in Baghdad for political reforms end of US occupation Burned US flag Demanded PM

Maliki to step down

(Musings On Iraq July 1, 2011 Protests In Iraq’s Tahrir Square, Baghdad)

 

Jul 2 Report Iranian Rev Guard delivering weapons to militias to attack US before withdrawal Delivering

more rockets that have killed US troops 15 US soldiers killed in Jun by militia attacks Kataib Hezbollah blamed for most attacks

 

Jul 3 MP said $1 mil fraud case for ISF buying dogs that couldn’t detect bombs used

            at checkpoints Nothing happened

(Musings On Iraq Question Of Whether Iraq Will Ever Stop Using Fake Bomb Detectors And Start Using Dogs Instead)

Jul 3 ISF launched op in Maysan to block Iranian weapons flowing into Iraq as result

            of increased militia attacks on US forces

Jul 3 Protest in Nasiriya for turning Dhi Qar into autonomous region hoping that would improve services

(Musings On Iraq Protests In Iraq Continue Into July)

Jul 3 Report 2004 CPA sent $1.6 bil to Kurdistan Money went unaccounted for

 

Jul 4 Fire at Higher Educ Ministry that destroyed diploma files Came four months after Integrity Comm

said there were 1000s of fake diplomas being used by govt workers 1 of many fires at govt offices after corruption charges made

 

Jul 5 Report Obama admin pushing for 5 yr troop extension State of Law to Iraqiya MPs were all speaking

against US forces staying in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Jul 5 Protest Um Qasr Basra over lack of services

(Musings On Iraq Protests In Iraq Continue Into July)

 

Jul 6 Report Obama admin wanted 10,000 US troops to stay in Iraq past 2011 Hoped that proposal would

lead PM Maliki to make formal request for US forces KDP-PUK only parties that wanted US troops

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

 

Jul 7 Report Dawa thanked Karbala Tribal Support Councils for suppressing protests in Baghdad Officials

said Dawa threatened tribes if didn’t participate

(Musings On Iraq Protests In Iraq Continue Into July)

 

Jul 8 Higher Educ Min Adeeb said universities would be deBaathified Up to 700 professors threatened

with dismissal

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Tries To Appease Sunni Provinces By Reinstating Saddam Era Soldiers)

Jul 8 100s protested in Baghdad against corruption Iranian influence federalism 7 protesters arrested and

beaten by ISF Activist’s house raided

(Musings On Iraq Protests In Iraq Continue Into July)

Jul 8 PM Maliki gave speech to sheikhs in Baghdad claiming Iraq was immune to Arab Spring

 

Jul 9 Hundreds protested in Baghdad demanding reforms and services release of prisoners US withdrawal 7

arrested 5 taken to Muthanna airport beaten and tortured Told not to protest again

 

Jul 10 Def Sec Panetta arrived in Iraq to lobby PM Maliki to allow US troop extension past withdrawal date

at end of 2011 Also accused Iran of giving weapons to Special Groups who were attacking US

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Jul 10 Report Sadr decided to not revive Mahdi Army but Promised Day Brigades militia would continue

attacks on US forces New Mumahidoon social movement also suspended

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Off Threat Of Reviving Mahdi Army)

Jul 10 Around 200 sheikhs met in Ramadi Signed document against making Anbar a region as some

protesters demanded

 

Jul 11 Pro-Iran group fired rockets at Green Zone wounded several people Came as Def Sec Panetta was

visiting Iraq Part of campaign by militias to claim responsibility for US withdrawal

Jul 11 US military said Iran still sending weapons to militias such as rockets and EFPs Quds Force gave

rockets to Kataib Hezbollah

(Musings On Iraq How Iran Used Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs) To Influence events In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Policy Towards Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Galen Wright of Arkenstone blog on Iranian arms shipments to Iraqi militias) 

Jul 11 Report PM Maliki adv Askari said majority govt needed to be formed

 

Jul 13 Govt spokesman Dabbagh said little chance US would get a troops extension past 2011 withdrawal

Jul 13 Sadrists said attacking US forces was legitimate Called on parliament to denounce Sec Def Panetta’s

remark that govt needed to crackdown on Special Groups Sadr tried to take responsibility for US withdrawal

Jul 13 Human Rights Watch criticized Maliki govt’s bill limiting protests May cabinet approved bill Said

protests had to get permit beforehand Said govt could stop protests for the public good

 

Jul 14 Chilcot Inquiry MI6 felt pressured by Blair govt about WMD and gave in Said PM Blair’s

spokesman Campbell was always pushing MI6 on Iraq Campbell leaked stories to press about intel on Iraq without consulting with intel agencies MI6 officer said agency was too eager to help Blair MI6 officer acknowledged most of what it had on Iraq was wrong Butler Inquiry found MI6 head Dearlove was eater to give info to Blair about WMD MI6 officer said it passed along intel before it was fully cleared

Jul 14 Report Sadrists complained Dawa trying to take over military Said were forces directly under

control of PM Maliki PM was acting Defense and Interior Ministers

Jul 14 Jul 14 Report Sadrists complained Dawa trying to take over military Said were forces directly under

control of PM Maliki PM was acting Defense and Interior Ministers

Jul 14 Report Justice Min said it closed secret prison at Camp Honor in March after human rights comm

found abuses and torture Officials and MP claimed prisoners still held there Red Cross believes there are 3 other prisons in same area of Baghdad Another secret prison found at Muthanna Airport Baghdad in 2010

Jul 14 Sadr’s Promised Day Brigades claimed 9 attacks upon US bases in last week in Baghdad Maysan

Diwaniya Diyala End of Jun said it carried out 10 other attacks

Jul 14 Report Editorial in Saudi paper called Iraqi leaders Iranian agents who betrayed US Said 2003

invasion led to Shiite takeover and Iranian control of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, The Saudi Struggle For Iraq)

Jul 14 Report PM Maliki went after Election Comm Questioned commission and then ordered it to stop its

work which it refused Commission said Maliki angry at coming in 2^nd in 2010 election

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Fails To Unseat Election Commission)

Jul 14 Youth group called for new round of protests in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government Prevents Return Of Protests)

 

Jul 15 3 bombs in Karbala left 100 casualties

Jul 15 KRG security arrested 10 activists in Sulaymaniya planning demonstrations Was protest in city met

by heavy security Demanded political reforms Head of Metro Center to Defend Journalism beaten People filming protest were arrested

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government Prevents Return Of Protests)

Jul 15 100s protested in Baghdad demanding end to corruption services and jobs

Jul 15 Report US tracked rockets used by militias against US targets as coming from Iran Found

fingerprints of Kataib Hezbollah members in Iran on munitions

(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Policy Towards Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Galen Wright of Arkenstone blog on Iranian arms shipments to Iraqi militias) 

Jul 15 PM Maliki said National Council for Strategic Policies that Allawi was supposed to head in power

sharing agreement after he won 2010 election was unconstitutional and should not be formed

 

Jul 16 Report ISI ran legitimate business to raise money Recently ISI companies selling generators cars

and car parts were closed

(Musings On Iraq Analyzing The Finances Of Al Qaeda In Iraq Interview With RAND’s Patrick Johnson)

Jul 16 Report During summer demand for electricity reached 14,000 mw while only 8,000 mw delivered

Heat also knocked out power grid Some provinces had 16 hr blackouts Govt said it would produce 27,000 mw by 2015 Experts said not possible because of costs

Jul 16 Ayatollah Sistani representative gave Friday sermon criticizing ruling parties for making promises

they couldn’t meet

Jul 16 MP on integrity comm said corruption cost around $59 bil Said no accountability

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Jul 17 VP Hashemi said there should be no US troop extension after 2011 Came after met US Amb Jeffrey

State of Law MP said US troops needed to stay to train ISF Dep Interior Min said same thing

Jul 17 Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy accused KRG of violating press freedom by

arresting journalists covering protests The group’s secretary was beaten and arrested by security forces

Jul 17 Report village in Irbil said Iran building roads and camps in province to fight PJAK

 

Jul 18 2^nd warrant issued for ex-Trade Min Sudani for corruption MP said political pressure to cancel

warrant

(Musings On Iraq interview with fmr anti-graft official Vincent Foulk on corruption in Iraq)

 

Jul 19 Report US investigation found PM Maliki main barrier to fighting corruption

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Jul 19 Spokesman for parliament’s integrity comm said Trade Electricity Defense Health Public Works

most corrupt ministries

Jul 19 Report Kataib Hezbollah and Sadrists threatened to attack companies building Kuwait’s Mubarak

Port Was rival to Al-Faw port Iraq wanted to build

 

Jul 21 Report Nepotism and corruption part of Iraq Parties put family and followers into bureaucracy PM

Maliki’s brother in law high official in Election Comm Accused of putting 50+ family members into commission Led to resignation VP Hashemi’s daughter ran his office Nephew former Culture Min indicted for trying to assassinate MP Alusi and his 2 sons Hashemi’s nephew sentenced to death

Jul 21 Report Mahdi Army and factions blamed for most of the assassinations in Baghdad Some groups did

hits for hire Targeted Baathists Sadrists had connections in Interior and Defense ministries which gave them govt cars and badges to use Sadrist leader said Iran using Special Groups to kill its opponents

Jul 21 ISI leader Baghdadi announced Breaking Walls Campaign Was his first online statement

Said it was new phase of jihad 2 goals Return to areas ISI had lost Break its men out of prisons to return them to the field Sign ISI had returned after defeat

Jul 21 Maliki govt said it wouldn’t allow Exxon to work in KRG Said Obama admin shared concerns about

Exxon’s contract with KRG

 

Jul 22 US said it would not turn over Hezbollah operative Daqduq to Iraqis because afraid he would escape

or be released Acted as liaison between Iran and militias

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Decides To Hold Onto Hezbollah Commander Captured In Iraq In 2007)

Jul 22 Report Private banks struggling in Iraq Poor credit Lack modern banking State run banks dominated

market Most transactions done in cash State run banks held 87% of deposits Private banks only 13% Govt deposited its money into state run banks 09 govt banned dealing with private banks to fight corruption

 

Jul 24 Report Iran Syria Iraq signed agreement to build natural gas pipeline between 3 countries Meant to

supply Iranian gas to Syria Never happened

 

Jul 25 US showed off weapons from Iran Said most came through official ports and border crossings

(Musings On Iraq interview with Galen Wright of Arkenstone blog on Iranian arms shipments to Iraqi militias) 

(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Policy Towards Iraq)

 

Jul 28 Protest in Baghdad calling for reforms Met by pro-Maliki demonstrators Maliki followers attacked

a TV crew

 

Jul 29 Parliament’s energy comm said 24 hrs of electricity wouldn’t happen until 2013 That was when

Electricity Min said it would have enough capacity Didn’t happen

 

Aug 1 US Amb Jeffrey and Brett McGurk told Obama that Maliki govt could meet all of US demands on

withdrawal and stay behind force except getting parliamentary approval and giving US forces immunity

 

Aug 2 Car bomb at Holy Family Syriac Church in Kirkuk 2 other car bombs defused

            at other churches in city

Aug 2 Joint Chiefs head Adm Mullen visited Iraq Urged Iraq to allow troop extension Demanded US

troops have immunity

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Aug 2 Report Demand was for 14,000 mw Supply dropped from 6000 mw to 5000 mw Reduce power

supply to under 8 hrs a day 1 cause was Oil Min not delivering fuel to power plants

Aug 2 Fmr Planning Min sent letter to PM Maliki that 2 contracts signed by Electricity Min were fake 1

company was a consultancy Other filed for bankruptcy

(Musings On Iraq Maliki Fires Iraq’s Electricity Minister, As Scapegoat For Summer Blackouts)

 

Aug 5 Sadr’s Promised Day Brigades claimed 16 attacks on US in Baghdad Diyala Dhi Qar Wasit Maysan

Qadisiya Najaf Said it killed US soldiers Militias were trying to take credit for US withdrawal

Aug 5 Protest in Baghdad Called for prisoners to be released reforms US withdrawal jobs better services

 

Aug 13 Obama told NSC he only wanted 3500 troops to stay behind in Iraq after withdrawal with another

1500 rotating in and out

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

 

Aug 15 ISI attacked Sahwa in mosque in Yusifiya Baghdad during Ramadan Bombed St Ephraim Syriac

Orthodox church in Kirkuk 15 other cities attacked Total 74 dead Over 300 wounded Most casualties in a single day for over a year

(Musings On Iraq Behind The Revival Of The Islamic State in Iraq, Interview With Naval War College Prof Craig Whiteside)

 

Aug 17 Iraqi parliament oil committee submitted draft of new oil law Never passed

Aug 17 Dep PM Shahristani questioned by parliament over electricity shortages Shahristani who was in

charge of energy file denied any responsibility for problems

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Deputy Premier Shahristani Comes Under Fire For Bad Electricity Deals)

 

Aug 18 Electricity Min Ani resigned over continued power shortages

(Musings On Iraq Maliki Fires Iraq’s Electricity Minister, As Scapegoat For Summer Blackouts)

 

Aug 19 Report Sadr rejected calls for Pres Assad to step down Said Syria stood against US Said he

supported Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt but Syria was different

 

Aug 20 On ISI’s 5^th anniversary it released video that include message that it was going

            to Syria

 

Aug 25 Report US Hunt Oil signed deal with KRG in disputed area in Ninewa in 07 Was largest oil

company to sign deal with KRG at that time KRG thought important because was US company Bush admin told company deal questionable and could increase tension between Irbil and Baghdad Hunt manager said oil more important than legal troubles Hunt website called KRG independent country Kurds used Hunt oil in talks with Maliki govt to get approval for oil exports

 

Aug 26 Sadr said his movement would start protests over lack of services

(Musings On Iraq Sadr Threatening Protests Again In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Backs Down Again Over New Protests in The Face Of Premier Maliki)

 

Aug 28 Suicide bombing on Um al-Qura mosque Baghdad during Ramadan killed 28

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Aug 28 Iraq’s cabinet submitted draft of new oil law Never passed

 

Sep 7 KRG Pres Barzani called on PM Maliki to sign troop extension with US Said would stop sectarian war

 

Sep 9 Integrity Commission head Judge Ogaili resigned over lack of political will to fight corruption

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Anti-Corruption Chief Quits, Citing Political Interference)

(Musings On Iraq More On Why Iraq’s Anti-Corruption Chairman Quit)

Sep 9 Gunmen killed radio personality Hadi Mahdi after he posted on Facebook that he was receiving

threats from pro-Maliki loyalists for supporting protests

Sep 9 Protests in Baghdad Qadisiya Babil Basra Diyala Anbar Muthanna Maysan Najaf for Friday of

Denouncement of Bad Services and Suppression of Freedoms

(Musings On Iraq National Protests return To Iraq On September 9)

 

Sep 12 insurgents took bus in Anbar and killed 22 Shiite pilgrims

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

 

Sep 15 Report Integrity Commission head Judge Ogaili said he resigned because ruling parties pressured

him to cover up corruption PM Maliki said on TV that commission was a failure Dawa member said Maliki wanted to appoint new head to control commission

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Sep 24 Report Dep PM Shahristani said electricity problems would end in 2013 Demand 14,000mw

during summer Iraq producing 9000mw Intl Energy Development Org said Iraq needed $12 bil to end energy crisis Said govt’s plans not enough to solve problem Said demand was 17,000mw

 

Sep 26 Report US reconstruction led to corruption in Iraq because of lack of oversight mismanagement

CPA created anti-corruption agencies but didn’t fit govt structure Board of Supreme Audit and Inspector Generals had to submit cases to Integrity Commission to review before sent to court Judiciary then has to review before prosecution Integrity Comm relied on Inspector Generals for most investigations when they had little power Board of Supreme Audit went through budget Integrity Comm investigates govt Inspector Generals check ministries Parliament supposed to check govt but didn’t Anti-corruption officials assassinated and attacked Govt went after anti-corruption agencies Politicians always talked about fighting corruption but did nothing 07 PM Maliki said he was against investigating govt Tried to put Dawa members into anti-corruption groups Maliki allegedly issued order to stop Integrity Comm from sending cases to court against high officials Adviser to Maliki demanded cases be withdrawn Maliki demanded all corruption cases get his approval before sent to court Integrity Comm refused Supreme Court told it to follow Maliki’s order Maliki tried to get rid of specific anti-corruption officials VP Abdul Mahdi also blocked cases Many heads of Integrity Comm resigned because nothing done 2011 Integrity Comm and Board of Supreme Audit found 100s of shell companies created by ruling parties and high officials to steal money Ministries and state owned enterprises signed deals with shell companies on major contracts Led to little actual work Maliki blocked case from going to court May 2011 Maliki accused Trade Bank of Iraq director of corruption Maliki used that to gain control of bank Corruption charges against Election Comm also used to control it After Election Comm head refused to go along with Maliki’s demands after 2011 election Maliki accused him of corruption Article 136 (b) allowed ministers to block investigations Parliament never passed laws to improve anti-corruption bodies Maliki told Inspector Generals they had to do all investigations Were under control of ministers which meant they could block work Courts under political influence

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Ineffective Anti-Corruption Agencies)

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Sep 26 State of Law MP blamed recent ISI bombings on Baathists Claimed were Baathists in ISF

Sep 26 VP Hashemi bodyguards killed army general in Baghdad Each given $3000 afterward 

 

Sep 27 38 members of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq arrested by Interior Min for blackmail

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Sep 28 Report Shiite politician said didn’t fear Sunni rule in Syria but Wahabi rule Said Saudis were trying

to break the Shiite crescent in Mideast Another Shiite politician said if Assad overthrown Wahabis would join with people in Anbar and start a new war in Iraq

 

Oct 1 Police training transferred from US military to State Dept State couldn’t handle it because of lack of

money and personnel

(Musings On Iraq How The State Department’s Iraq Police Training Program Turned Out To Be A Flop)

Oct 7 Obama talked with PM Maliki Told him all US forces would be out of Iraq at end of 2011

 

Oct 8 Report Parliament’s integrity comm said over 30,000 govt workers had fake degrees Included Dep

Ministers Director Generals Univ teachers, doctors, MPs

 

Oct 10 Report 2010 parliamentary investigation found 5000 govt officials had fake diplomas Govt largest

employer People who moved from rural areas to cities wanted govt jobs and needed an educ Led to fake diplomas Dean at Baghdad Univ said records were changed and docs forged to create fake diplomas Was gang working in Univ registration dept Dean tried to investigate but threatened and then beat by police

 

Oct 11 Dep PM Shahristani said Iraq banned companies working in KRG from working in rest of Iraq Said

KRG oil deals were illegal

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Oct 11 PM Maliki ordered Kurdish officials in Khanaqin dist Diyala to lower KRG flag and only fly Iraqi

flag Kurds refused Khanaqin disputed area Maliki had tried to take control over before

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Makes Feeble Attempt To Regain Rhetorical Standing Over Khanaqin District)

 

Oct 12 South Oil Company said it wanted to build 5^th floating mooring point in Basra Would be done by

early 2014 Would allow exports to rise to 5-6 mil/bar/day by 2014 Didn’t reach that mark

 

Oct 13 Oil Min and KOGAS signed deal for Akkas natural gas field in Anbar Was auctioned in Oct 2010           Anbar govt complained about deal KOGAS’ partner KazMunai eventually dropped out

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Finally Inks Natural Gas Deal With South Korean Company)

 

Oct 15 Deadline set by Gen Austin for Iraq parliament to pass SOFA with US and allow stay behind force

Didn’t happen

 

Oct 16 1000s protested in Khanaqin against order to remove Kurdish flag Khanaqin is a disputed area

 

Oct 17 Report Planning Min wanted to reduce poverty in Iraq Main plan was to provide 4 mil govt jobs in

next 4 yrs Govt workers had 14% higher income than private sector workers Last 8 yrs poverty unchanged Govt didn’t follow through with plans

 

Oct 18 Exxon signed oil and gas deal with KRG marking 1^st major energy company to enter region

(Musings On Iraq New Twists In Exxon-Kurd Oil Deal)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq Exxon May Drop Contract With Iraq’s Central Government To Concentrate On Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Oct 19 Report Iraq made deal with oil companies to build water injection plant in Basra to boost oil

production Exxon mobile would lead project Cost around $3 bil

 

Oct 21 US announced it would withdraw its force from Iraq on Dec 31

(Musings On Iraq review Quicksilver War, Syria, Iraq and the Spiral of Conflict)

Oct 21 Obama told Maliki not getting stay behind US forces in Iraq was ok because US would still have

influence

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

Oct 21 Report Sadrist MPs said they would leave ruling coalition if US forces allowed to stay into 2012

Oct 21 Report Some in US military upset Obama admin didn’t get troop extension past 2011 withdrawal

Jun Obama said 10,000 troops would stay into 2012 PM Maliki said he needed to build consensus on matter Aug US dropped to asking for 3000-5000 troops staying Pushed by Natl Sec Adv Donilon over military US intel said Iraq unlikely to see major violence after US withdrawal which bolstered Donilon’s argument for fewer troops Oct US pushed Iraqi leaders to meet at Pres Talabani’s to discuss issue Agreed to troop extension but no immunity US and Iraq then talked about having US troops as trainers

 

Oct 22 Sadrist MP said Mahdi Army would be unnecessary if US withdrew Sadr said US embassy staff

were occupiers and should be resisted

Oct 22 Report US cut back staff at US embassy because of budget problems US withdrawal was another

factor

Oct 22 Report Oil Min Luaibi said oil exports at 2.2 mil/bar/day despite increase in production because of

lack of capacity in export infrastructure 100,000 bar/day put in storage because couldn’t be exported Iraq was building 4 new terminals in Basra to expand exports Oil adv to PM Maliki said production would reach 3 mil/bar/day by end of Oct 2011

Oct 22 Report After PKK killed 24 Turkish soldiers Turkey made incursion into KRG with 10,000 troops

 

Oct 24 Maliki govt arrested over 900 alleged Baathists Claimed involved in coup plot No evidence of coup

Oct 24 Special Insp Gen for Iraq Recon audited State Dept’s police training program Found lack of

planning No assessments High costs Maliki govt didn’t care about program

Oct 24 Agricultural Min offered land to foreign investors Wanted foreign companies to help Iraq become

self-sufficient in crops Farming suffered from cheap imports and droughts Didn’t get much investment

 

Oct 26 KRG Pres Barzani formed Kurdish National Council to try to unite Syrian Kurds under KDP

patronage

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

 

Oct 27 Salahaddin council voted to start process to become a federal region PM Maliki blocked move

Came after Higher Educ Min fired 140 employees at Tikrit Univ for being Baathist Said Maliki was repressing Sunnis

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Oct 28 2 protests shut down highways in Anbar against firing of govt workers over Baathist pasts 3

protests in Salahaddin to support provincial govt push to make it a region

 

Oct 30 US govt report Fallujah Waste Water Treatment plant one of largest US reconstruction

projects Started after 2004 Battle of Fallujah By Sep 2011 US spent $107.8 mil on project Signed 42 contracts Served 6000 homes in city Not complete Baghdad was supposed to finish it Didn’t Delayed due to lack of security lack of oversight lack of capacity with Iraqi govt

Oct 30 US govt report Flow of foreign fighters and money to Iraq down Forced ISI to become

more like a gang to make money Used extortion and criminal violence

Oct 30 Report Army Chief of Staff Gen Zebari said ISF would not be ready to protect Iraq until

2020-24 US and Iraqi officials said ISF good enough to fight insurgency Zebari said funding main reason ISF wouldn’t have national defense weapons like fighter jets

 

Oct 31 Iraqiya came out against Salahaddin wanting to be autonomous region

 

Nov 1 Iraqiya members of Diyala govt said PM Maliki had to address provinces demands

            otherwise it would become an autonomous region

 

Nov 2 Speaker Nujafi said Salahaddin had constitutional right to declare itself an autonomous region

Nov 2 Report Salahaddin councilmen said they hoped to join Ninewa Anbar Kirkuk in an autonomous

region

Nov 2 PM Maliki sent army’s 4^th Div to Tikrit to stop demonstrations supporting Salahaddin becoming

autonomous region

Nov 2 MPs from Anbar and Salahaddin met along with provincial councilmen, sheikhs, Speaker Nujafi

Anbar demanded release of prisoners Said if demand not met Anbar would become an autonomous region

Nov 2 Basra complained Baghdad not following 2010 budget Basra supposed to get $1 per barrel of oil it

produced Governor said got nothing

Nov 2 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq said it would join politics and talk about disarming Was part of process to

get followers released Never disarmed

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Nov 3 Sadr said he would resist any US presence in Iraq including civilians Said any US presence was an

occupation

Nov 3 Salahaddin officials said they were pushing ahead with making province autonomous region

Said Maliki govt abused its powers in province Complained about crackdown on Baathists

Nov 3 100s protested in Fallujah against forming a Sunni region

Nov 3 Report by Board of Supreme Audit criticized Industry Min Sulfur company closed in 2003

Equipment was old and obsolete 2007 was rehabilitated 2009 had trial run for re-opening Never restarted

Nov 3 Report Intel chief said Syria tipped off Iraq about Baathist coup Led to arrests of suspected

Baathists Dep PM Mutlaq and PM Maliki got into yelling match at cabinet meeting over arrests Mutlaq said people would turn against govt Ninewa Gov Nujafi said arrests could lead to sectarian violence

Nov 3 People were arrested in Dhi Qar and Basra for promoting Baath Party

 

Nov 4 PM Maliki told Salahaddin govt that there would be investigation of dismissing people from Tikrit

Univ for Baathist ties Started protests and Salahaddin’s call to be autonomous region

 

Nov 5 KRG opposition parties said govt hadn’t given them budgets Started Apr Came after opposition

called for govt to step down and early elections Sep Pres Barzani said budgets would be restored Gorran said got budget for 2 months and waiting for payments for 3 more months Kurdistan Islamic Union and Kurdistan Islamic Group said not paid

Nov 5 Dawa organized march in Basra in support of Baathist crackdown Maliki govt claimed there was a

Baathist coup plot

 

Nov 7 Report PM Maliki fired Sunni former regime members from ISF and intel agencies Oct more than a

dozen Sunni officers fired Interior Min ordered 32 offices fired in Diyala for links with insurgents and working for Saddam Maliki was acting Defense Interior and National Security Ministers Offices were supposed to be divided between political parties but Maliki held onto them

 

Nov 8 Barham Salah said that new draft oil law was agreed upon and would go to parliament by end of

2011 Never passed

 

Nov 9 PM Maliki speech in Karbala Said Baathists had to admit to their crimes and sign confession paper

Otherwise would be prosecuted Came during latest Baathist crackdown by govt

 

Nov 10 Head of Accountability and Justice Comm said 655 alleged Baathists arrested for attempted coup

Was no coup

 

Nov 11 Sadr said US embassy staff were occupiers and had to be resisted

Nov 11 Dep head of Salahaddin council said province would no longer push to be autonomous region after

governor met with PM Maliki Were protests for and against autonomy within province

 

Nov 12 Diyala council voted to make province a federal region to protest Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Push To Make Iraq’s Diyala Province An Autonomous Region Fades)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Nov 13 Dep PM Shahristani criticized Exxon for signing oil deal with KRG Said Baghdad warned it against

contract Said all KRG oil deals were illegal

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Nov 15 Iraq approved $17 bil deal with Shell and Mitsubishi to develop natural gas in Basra Took 3 yrs to

complete Iraq burned around $5 bil/yr in natural gas

Nov 15 Trade Bank of Iraq found fmr director made $400 mil in defaulted loans Fled Iraq over corruption

charges

 

Nov 16 Report Oct Salahaddin said it wanted to become autonomous region after Higher Educ Min fired

100s of employees at Tikrit Univ for Baathist ties Afterward Anbar Basra Dhi Qar also said wanted to become autonomous PM Maliki attacked Salahaddin’s decision saying it would become Baathist HQ Same time offered to hire more govt workers in province Army broke up protest for autonomy in Salahaddin

Nov 16 KRG said it opposed any province becoming autonomous region that included disputed areas like

Salahaddin Ninewa Gov Nujafi said he was interested in autonomy KDP objected Said Nujafi had to get their backing first

Nov 16 Report Shell stopped talks with KRG over oil deals because wanted to keep its contracts in Basra

 

Nov 17 Journalists from 2 TV stations attacked by KRG security for covering protests in 2 cities

 

Nov 18 Kurdish police in Kirkuk refused to turn over US base to Iraqi Army Said didn’t want army to be

within city After mediation by US PM Maliki agreed to turn base into civilian airport Army was then allowed in Army then said hadn’t finalized deal to make base a civilian one US intervened again saying it wasn’t turning over base to Iraqis

 

Nov 19 Anbar governor said Mahdi Army fighters were crossing into Syria to fight for Assad Nov Syrian

National Council accused Sadr of involvement in war

 

Nov 22 State run South Gas Company said it didn’t have money to invest in Shell-Mitsubishi natural gas

deal in Basra as originally planned

 

Nov 23 Syrian opposition said Sadrists were fighting in Syria Sadr said he supported Assad because he was

against US and Israel and was therefore different from rest of Arab Spring

 

Nov 24 Oil Min signed Basra natural gas deal with Shell and Mitsubishi Started talks in 2008

Nov 24 Report US sent Internet monitoring and surveillance devices to Iraq PM Maliki sent them to Syria

where Assad govt used them against protesters Baghdad denied story

 

Nov 27 Report Mahdi Army joining ISF as part of secret deal between Sadr-PM Maliki

Nov 27 Report Iraq wanted to export 2.6 mil/bar/day in 2012 Production supposed to hit 3 mil/bar/day

Shell said impossible because of poor infrastructure Oil Min still said it could reach 12 mil/bar/day in production Didn’t happen

 

Nov 28 Car bomb detonated outside Parliament building

 

Nov 29 Op Ed in Saudi owned Al-Sharq Al-Awsat said Iran wanted to turn Arab countries into little

Iran’s or make them clients like Iraq under PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, The Saudi Struggle For Iraq)

 

Dec 1 Report Kurdish TV station interviewed ex-dir of security at KRG-Turkish border crossing Said that

all the customs went to PM Barzani Afterward he was arrested 50 KRG MPs signed petition demanding accounting for border cross that earned $350 mil in customs in 2011

 

Dec 2 Mobs attacked Christian and Yazidi businesses in several towns in Dohuk province selling alcohol and

running message parlors Incited by Islamist cleric

(Musings On Iraq review Christianity in Iraq)

 

Dec 3 Maliki accused Turkey of meddling in Iraqi affairs as relations deteriorate between two countries 

Dec 3 Rioters attacked Kurdistan Islamic Union offices in Dohuk and Irbil Was retaliation for Islamist cleric

associated with KIU inciting riot against Christian and Yazidi businesses selling alcohol Asayesh arrested 6 KIU members

Dec 3 Lack of services arrests discrimination leading some provinces to call for autonomous regions Majority

of Iraqis opposed autonomy fearing break up of Iraq 2008 Basra asked to be region Has most of Iraq’s oil Lacked investment and services Didn’t get much support from public 2008 Provincial Powers law that was supposed to decentralize power to governorates didn’t do that Still dependent on Baghdad 2010 Basra called for referendum on region Didn’t happen 2011 Anbar and Salahaddin asked to become regions after staff dismissed at Tikrit Univ for Baathist ties Salahaddin skipped steps necessary to become region Maliki govt ignored calls and offered jobs and money to appease them Then said it would block regions Even if had vote on regions unsure how they would turn out

 

Dec 4 Journalistic Freedoms Observatory said ISF biggest threat to media in Iraq Reporters Without Borders

made similar statements

Dec 4 PM Maliki said he stood behind Assad in Syria Said removing him would lead to civil war in Syria and

incite sectarian tensions

 

Dec 5 Report Oil Min looking into lowering production targets and extending deadlines in contracts

with oil companies Plan was to reach 12 mil/bar/day in oil capacity by 2017 Oil Min Luaibi said 8-8.5 mil/bar/day might be more realistic Iraq didn’t meet either target

 

Dec 8 Allawi said he was ready to reconcile with PM Maliki if he renounced earlier attacks upon

Iraqiya Invited Maliki and Pres Talabani to conference in January to discuss future of govt

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Lashes Out At His Political Rivals In The Iraqi National Movement)

 

Dec 11 Human Rights Min found mass grave in Basra from Saddam era

 

Dec 12 PM Maliki went to Wash DC to meet Obama to mark end of US troops in Iraq Obama said violence

low in Iraq and could be model for other countries looking to establish democracy

Dec 12 Nat Sec Adv Fayad announced NATO training mission would end close of 2011 because govt

would not grant trainers immunity

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Rejects NATO Trainers)

Dec 12 Diyala sent request to PM Maliki’s cabinet to become autonomous region Said was due to neglect

by Baghdad

 

Dec 13 VP Mutlaq gave interview on CNN Said PM Maliki was becoming a dictator

Dec 13 Protests in 3 parts of Diyala against making province an autonomous region

 

Dec 14 Reconciliation Min Khuzai said Baathists were attempting to destabilize Iraq Build up to PM Maliki

going after VP Hashemi Finance Min Issawi and Dep PM Mutlaq

Dec 14 Diyala politician said militias moving into province after it said wanted to be autonomous

region and ISF threatened supporters of regionalism

Dec 14 Pres Obama speech said US ending war in Iraq

 

Dec 15 U.S. announced withdrawal of its forces from Iraq

Dec 15 PM Maliki deployed ISF outside homes of VP Hashemi Finance Min Rafi Issawi Dep PM Mutlaq in

Green Zone Announced some of Hashemi’s bodyguards arrested and confessed to trying to bomb Maliki’s motorcade in Nov

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Finance Minister Next On Maliki’s Hit List?)

(Musings On Iraq Once Again Iraq’s Premier Maliki Goes After Former Finance Minister Issawi)

Dec 15 PM Maliki called on parliament to remove Dep PM Mutlaq Came after he did TV interview calling

Maliki a dictator who was worse than Saddam

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Lashes Out At His Political Rivals In The Iraqi National Movement)

Dec 15 PM Maliki said Diyala vote to become autonomous region was illegal Sent ISF Mahdi Army and Badr

to storm Diyala council building Set up roadblocks throughout province to intimidate local govt over move to make province region Head of Diyala council had his house set on fire and one of his bodyguards killed Governor fled to KRG along with majority of council Call for region was to protest Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Push To Make Iraq’s Diyala Province An Autonomous Region Fades)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

Dec 16 Iraqiya meeting at VP Hashemi’s residence Declared list would boycott parliament until PM

Maliki included them in decision making shared power stopped arbitrary arrests

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Lashes Out At His Political Rivals In The Iraqi National Movement)

Dec 16 Armed protesters blocked highways in Diyala Took over govt building Made Diyala govt flee

Organized by Dawa Part of PM Maliki’s effort to block Diyala from becoming autonomous region

 

Dec 17 Baghdad Operations Command announced arrest warrant for VP Hashemi on terrorism charges

(Musings On Iraq Charges Against Iraq’s Vice President, And Why They Matter)

Dec 17 Maliki asked for no confidence vote against Dep PM Mutlaq

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Lashes Out At His Political Rivals In The Iraqi National Movement)

Dec 17 18 Diyala councilmen along with governor fled Baquba for Kurdish controlled Khanaqin dist

due to militias sent by PM over making province a federal region to protest Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Push To Make Iraq’s Diyala Province An Autonomous Region Fades)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Dec 17 Dep PM Shahristani accused KRG of smuggling 75,000 bar/day of oil KRG said it was exporting

175,000 bar/day for Baghdad but was only exporting 100,000 bar/day

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Dec 18 State TV broadcast confession of one of VP Hashemi’s bodyguards accusing him of terrorism

Dec 18 VP Hashemi stopped at Baghdad airport some of his bodyguards arrested and then allowed to

fly to KRG Said confession of his bodyguard was obtained through torture

(Musings On Iraq Charges Against Iraq’s Vice President, And Why They Matter)

Dec 18 Finance Min Issawi and Dep PM Mutlaq temporarily detained at Baghdad airport while trying to

take flight to Irbil to meet with Pres Barzani

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Finance Minister Next On Maliki’s Hit List?)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Dec 18 Report Saudis building fence along Iraq border Wouldn’t accept Iraqi diplomats Govt adv said they

were containing Iraq to block Iran  

 

Dec 19 Arrest warrant for VP Hashemi issued forcing him into exile 3 of Finance Min Issawi’s bodyguards

arrested

(Musings On Iraq Charges Against Iraq’s Vice President, And Why They Matter)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining The Political Factors Behind The Increasing Violence In Iraq, An Interview With maria Fantappie Iraq Researcher At The International Crisis Group)

Dec 19 3 of Hashemi’s guards appeared on TV saying they were involved in terrorist attacks

Dec 19 Report one of VP Hashemi’s guards had been arrested start of Dec on charges of building a car

bomb Guard confessed leading to 3 more guards and manager of Hashemi’s office to be arrested

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Lashes Out At His Political Rivals In The Iraqi National Movement)

Dec 19 PM Maliki ordered Dep PM Mutlaq barred from entering parliament

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Dec 20 VP Hashemi gave TV speech from Irbil denying terrorism charges against him

(Musings On Iraq Charges Against Iraq’s Vice President, And Why They Matter)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Dec 20 3 car bombs hit checkpoints in Karbala during pilgrimage Killed 52 203 wounded

Dec 20 Anbar gave Baghdad list of demands about budget and security Said if Maliki govt didn’t respond

in 2 weeks Anbar would become autonomous region

Dec 20 PM Maliki said he would replace Dep PM Mutlaq

 

Dec 21 PM Maliki ordered Dep PM Mutlaq removed from office in response to Mutlaq calling for

Maliki to be replaced

(Musings On Iraq Premier Maliki Lashes Out At His Political Rivals In The Iraqi National Movement)

Dep 21 PM Maliki TV news conference demanded KRG turn over VP Hashemi Threatened consequences if

didn’t

 

Dec 22 Govt officials told press that Maliki govt would investigate Fin Min Issawi over allegations he

was connected to a militia in Fallujah that killed political opponents Some of Issawi’s bodyguards arrested as a result

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Finance Minister Next On Maliki’s Hit List?)

Dec 22 Report Iraq owed Exxon $50 mil for 2 yrs of work at West Qurna 1 oil field 09 Exxon won

contract for field Was to be paid $1.90 per barrel after reaching production target Would barely cover costs Exxon and other oil companies agreed to terms because wanted to get into Iraq’s market which had been sanctioned since 1990 Shell said bureaucracy was holding up payments to oil companies Shell said was holding off work at Majnoon field until it was paid

Dec 22 Dep Electricity Min said Iraq would produce 22,000 mw of power by 2014 and would end

electricity shortages Didn’t happen

Dec 22 PM Maliki said he might give up national unity govt and form majority govt

Dec 22 4 car bombs suicide car bomb and 11 IEDs in Baghdad Killed 63 Wounded 194

 

Dec 23 Maliki adviser said that Fin Min Issawi suspected of connections to terrorism Sadrists would

not go along with his removal

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Finance Minister Next On Maliki’s Hit List?)

Dec 23 Fmr chief of staff to Pres Talabani said that PM Maliki had paranoid personality driven by his

years of exile Said Maliki always thought there would be a coup against him and afraid of Baathists

Dec 23 1000s protested against PM Maliki in Samarra and Baiji in Salahaddin and Ramadi and Qaim in

Anbar over warrant for VP Hashemi

Dec 23 Report Allawi said PM Maliki acting like Saddam Said confessions of VP Hashemi were made up US

asked Hashemi and Maliki to reconcile Asked Maliki to withdraw warrant

 

Dec 24 PM Maliki said he would block provinces becoming autonomous regions

 

Dec 26 Reports Asaib Ahl Al-Haq said it was going to join political process Said after US withdrawal no

need for armed resistance Launched PR campaign claiming it drove US out of Iraq Leader Qais Khazali just returned to Najaf after yr in exile in Iran

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Dec 27 Salahaddin council voted to turn province into a federal region Blocked by PM Maliki Was to

protest Maliki govt

Dec 27 Sadr said Asaib Ahl Al-Haq were killers and just wanted positions in govt after Asaib Ahl Al-Haq

said it wanted to join politics

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Dec 27 Allawi, Speaker Nujafi, Finance Min Issawi wrote OpEd in NYTimes Accused PM Maliki of

becoming autocrat Said he tried to take over courts Intimidate opponents Control independent commissions Said he never implemented Irbil agreement to share power after 2010 election Said civil war could break out

Dec 27 Report PM Maliki acting Defense and Interior Mins Promoting his people within officer corps

Regularly gave orders that bypassed chain of command Low and mid level positions sold Said police and Interior Min run like jobs program more than for security

 

Dec 28 Report PM Maliki said every Iraqi would have a home in 5 yrs Said homeless could buy a home

at cost Wanted to build 12 large building complexes for $2 bil Not enough to make enough houses to meet demand

 

Dec 31 U.S. withdrew its combat forces from Iraq as part of Status of Forces Agreement

(Musings On Iraq review The United States And Iraq Since 1990: A Brief History with Documents)

(Musings On Iraq review Quicksilver War, Syria, Iraq and the Spiral of Conflict)

(Musings On Iraq review The Endgame, The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from

George W. Bush to Barack Obama)

Dec 31 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Sadrists got into gunfight in Sadr City and Kadhimiya Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

2012

Jan 1 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq held victory rally in Baghdad’s Tahrir Sq to celebrate US withdrawal

Jan 1 Sadr called Asaib Ahl Al-Haq a bunch of killers and implied they were under Iran’s control Came

after one of Sadr’s lieutenants joined Asaib Ahl Al-Haq

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jan 1 National Reconciliation Min said 6 militant groups had agreed to give up their weapons and join

political process Included Ansar al-Sunna and Islamic Army Neither followed through

Jan 1 Attempt on life of Finance Minister Issawi with IED in Salahaddin

 

Jan 2 Sadrists accused PM Maliki of courting Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and causing conflict Came after one of

Sadr’s lieutenants joined Asaib Ahl Al-Haq

Jan 2 Interview with Pres Barzani’s chief of staff Said PM Maliki amassing too much power Asked

whether Maliki believed in democracy Said concentrating power in his hands Not consulting with others Said Maliki paranoid others plotting against him Maliki was PM commander in chief acting Defense Interior Mins and intelligence head

Jan 2 Report Fmr US intel officer thought Diyala center of insurgency Was recovery area for fighters

from Anbar Had networks into Baghdad Used for training safe houses smuggling Mosque in Baquba important Jihad center Early 04 Zarqawi declared his jihad from mosque Zarqawi killed in Diyala in 06 Oct 06 ISI said Baquba capital of their caliphate Were ISF units with connections to insurgency Islamic Army and 1920 Revolution Brigades ended up fighting ISI in Diyala Federal Police mostly Shiite Badr organized in Diyala Were patrolling in Baquba Muqdadiya and surrounding towns Peshmerga in north east US didn’t understand province and were used by Iraqis to go after enemies

 

Jan 3 Iraqiya boycotted parliament and cabinet to protest PM Maliki Said no power sharing

 

Jan 4 MP from Kurdish Coalition said Kurds didn’t support PM Maliki calling for no confidence vote vs

Dep PM Mutlaq

Jan 4 3000 protested in Mosul Called for removal of PM Maliki 1000 protested in Kirkuk demanded

release of prisoners Demonstration in Tikrit Baquba Baghdad Maliki claimed protesters wanted to bring back Baathist rule and wanted to release terrorists Started after PM Maliki issued warrant for VP Hashemi

 

Jan 5 Bombings of Shiite pilgrims during Arbayeen in Baghdad and Dhi Qar left over 160 casualties

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jan 5 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Khazali interviewed Said his group would give up weapons and join politics

Said resistance against US occupation over Said it was responsible for attack on Finance Min and kidnapping of 5 Brits and attack upon US base in Karbala in 07 that killed 5 US soldiers Said 258 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq members were released in return for 5 Brits kidnapped Claimed 4 of them killed trying to escape Denied any of the Brits were held in Iran Asaib Ahl Al-Haq didn’t give up weapons Brits were turned over to Iran and 4 of them not killed for trying to escape

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jan 5 Reports Efforts to revive Basra marshes ran into major problems 2 biggest were reduced water

levels and salinity 07 govt claimed almost half the marshes had been recovered Later revealed was less than 1/3 Irrigation cut water to marshes Reduction in fresh water led to salinization of Shatt al-Arab and destruction of farms Head of agriculture engineers in Basra said after 03 people broke down dams built by Saddam and marshes increased by 80% 2005-06 Then dropped to 24% in 07 Water flow down Tigris dropped by more than 2/3 Water Min said 97% of marshes were drying up

 

Jan 6 Report Doctors in Fallujah believed US white phosphorus and depleted uranium munitions used in

Battle of Fallujah led to birth defects in city Dr at general hospital registered 677 birth defects since Oct 09 Jul 2010 study found 12 fold increase in childhood cancer in Fallujah since 2004 Sep 2011 study hypothesized uranium could cause birth defects and cancer Direct connection never found Depleted uranium story began under Saddam as govt story to blame suffering under sanctions on US

 

Jan 7 Sadr said he would dissolve Mahdi Army Said no need for it after US withdrawal Didn’t happen

Jan 7 Badr official called for army made up of Badr and Mahdi Army that would fight for Assad govt in

Syria Blamed Saudis for destabilizing Syria

 

Jan 11 Dep PM Mutlaq called PM Maliki a dictator 2^nd time

 

Jan 12 Report Central Bank of Iraq said people bought US dollars in its auctions and sent the money to

Syria and Iran on the black market Both countries sanctioned Said they had been selling $160 mil/day worth of dollars in previous yrs Went up to $200-$300 mil/day since Nov 2011

 

Jan 14 Turkey’s Foreign Min Sinirlioglu visited Pres Barzani in Irbil without going to

            Baghdad

Jan 14 Bombings of Shiite pilgrims during Arbayeen leave 190 casualties

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jan 14 Report Iran-Iraq trade reached $10 bil in 2011 Was increase from 2010 Iraq is becoming Iraq’s

largest trade partner Iran provided electricity fuel food industrial goods Iraqi traders were also making large profits selling to Iran which was under sanctions Iran was desperate for imported goods and hard currency US$ were flowing from Iraq into Iran sinking value of Iraqi dinar Central Bank of Iraq almost doubled the sale of dollars from $180 mil to $350 mil as a result Oil smugglers also sent oil from Iraq to Iran

 

Jan 15 Report Maliki govt arrested several 100 foreign contractors Most arrests happened at Baghdad

airport Detained for visas weapon permits etc End of 2011 Maliki’s son began expelling western companies from Green Zone Govt stopped renewing weapons permits for contractors end of 2011 and Interior Min started new visa restrictions which led to most arrests Jan 2012 more than 100 foreigners were held at Baghdad airport for visa issues

Jan 15 Report State of Law MP said Dep PM Mutlaq calling PM Maliki a dictator meant he would not be

allowed to return to his job Called on Iraqiya to name a replacement 

Jan 15 Report ISF officer in Baghdad said that VP Hashemi’s bodyguards were all tortured and said they

didn’t confess to any crimes

 

Jan 16 Baghdad complained to Turkey’s ambassador about Ankara accusing Maliki of

            spreading sectarianism Turkey does same to Iraq’s ambassador to Ankara

Jan 16 Report Kirkuk police blamed 8000 Arab families that moved to province since 2003 as cause of

violence Kirkuk official said only families that registered with govt should be allowed to stay and rest should be deported Arab councilman said families should be free to live where they wanted Displacement Min said Kirkuk asked it to deport Arab families Ministry said couldn’t be done

Jan 16 Report Electricity Min said it would continue to pay Iran for fuel and electricity exports despite

sanctions 

Jan 16 Report Parliament’s finance comm wanted to add 42,000 new govt jobs to bill that already included

58,000 new positions Said it was to fight unemployment Was for patronage

 

Jan 19 Report Sadrists said armed resistance not politics forced US withdrawal Said reason why US agreed

to SOFA was because of militias Sadr tried to take credit for US withdrawal

Jan 19 Report Iraqiya met and talked about how to replace PM Maliki Kurdish Coalition met in Irbil and

also talked about getting rid of Maliki Parties thought Maliki becoming autocrat

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki More Like Premier Nuri al-Sa’id Than Saddam? An Interview With Historian Phebe Marr)

Jan 19 Report Allawi accused PM Maliki of arresting 100s of his opponents Said some were tortured to get

confessions Said 42 members of Allawi’s Iraqiya had been detained

 

Jan 20 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq released body of McMenemy UK bodyguard group kidnapped in Baghdad Bodies

of 3 other guards returned 1 other Brit still held by group Were held and killed in Iran

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Jan 21 Interview with Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Khazali Said his group was nationalist Islamic resistance

movement Said committed to fighting US and forcing them out of Iraq Claimed over 6000 attacks on Coalition Said it shot down UK helicopter in Basra in 06 Bombed US base in Baghdad in 06 Attacked US security HQ in Karbala in 07 and kidnapped 7 US soldiers Admitted to kidnapping 5 Brits in Baghdad Released Brits in return for 285 members being released from prison Said disagreed with Sadr and blamed him for disputes Said didn’t want to be part of corrupt govt imposed by US Said Iran supported it

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Jan 22 Iraq voted in Arab League for a transition of power in Syria away from Assad

Jan 22 Human Rights Watch Iraq becoming more authoritarian under PM Maliki Feb 2011 secret prison

found in Baghdad and 100s of protesters arrested May 2011 cabinet passed restrictions on protests Jun 2011 Maliki sent pro-govt protesters to Baghdad to beat up anti-govt demonstrators End of 2011 govt arrested 100s in Baathist crackdown

 

Jan 25 Report When Electricity Min Aftan came into office promised planning would solve power

problems Promised 50% increase in power output by summer 2012 Officials in Electricity Min accused of asking for bribes from foreign companies 50% of investment projects in Baghdad closed because of corruption 17 contracts total halted for corruption in Iraq Aftan did nothing to fix contracts Parliament talked about investigations but did nothing

Jan 25 Reporters Without Borders Iraq dropped 22 places in World Press Freedom Index from 130 to 152

Close to its 2008 position of 158 1 reason was increase in murder of journalists Reporters also targeted by ISF for covering protests in Baghdad and Sulaymaniya

Jan 25 Report PM Maliki rejected Salahaddin’s call to be autonomous region because based upon

sectarianism Isn’t legal basis for rejecting bid Maliki then said there were problems with constitution on regions to hold up process

 

Jan 26 Report 8 bodyguards of fmr MP Adnana Dulaimi ex-head of Accordance Front confessed to

carrying out terrorist attacks in Baghdad

 

Jan 27 Bombing of Shiite funeral left over 90 casualties

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jan 27 Report Maliki govt still not interested in integrating sahwa Supposed to be integrated end of 2009

Sahwa said turned down for jobs because Sunni Targeted by insurgents

Jan 27 Basra Gas Company that was in joint venture with Shell and Mitsubishi said planned to produce

1.4 mil cubic meters of natural gas/day in 2012 Didn’t happen

 

Jan 30 Maliki warned Salahaddin governor that he would be removed if he pushed

            provincial autonomy

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jan 30 Report Oct 2011 PM Maliki said corruption was as big a problem for Iraq as terrorism Sr officials

protected from being prosecuted for crimes Govt talked about accountability but did nothing 2008 Amnesty Law gave amnesty for many officials involved in corruption 100s of millions of $ believed to be stolen from Iraq’s state run banks 2010 World Bank ranked Iraq 5 out of 100 with 0 being the worst Integrity Comm said justice system incapable of dealing with corruption Maliki govt came up with anti-corruption strategy in 2010 US couldn’t tell whether it was ever implemented 2006 Maliki appointed anti-corruption adv 2007 set up Joint Anti-Corruption Council Inspector Generals supervised by ministries PM’s office often got involved in cases to block investigations Govt agencies collected unspent funds for several yrs and didn’t report it More than 2100 govt officials got double pay 07 assassination attempt on head of Integrity Comm Led him to flee to US His replacement only lasted 4 months Dismissed after he found massive fraud in Oil Min New Integrity Comm head complained about political interference Resigned 2011 Integrity Comm lacked capacity to deal with cases Also threatened intimidated Iraqi leaders did not take fighting corruption seriously PM Maliki tried to boss Integrity Comm around Could only prosecute cases that were not political

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Jan 31 Report 09 Oil Min began signing contracts with foreign oil companies Iraq needed their tech

and expertise Production increased as a result Signed 11 foreign contracts Promised 13 mil/bar/day in oil production in 7 yrs Would make Iraq largest oil producer in world Didn’t happen Political disputes undermine goals During sanctions oil infrastructure deteriorated relied upon improvised solutions Still did Red tape major problems 2011 western companies couldn’t get visas for months Visas had to be approved by PM Maiki’s office and couldn’t handle traffic Maliki’s style was to centralize power which meant delays increased Oil Min slow to work out and ok plans and sign contracts Customs held up equipment at ports Law said parliament needed to approve oil contracts but only went through Oil Min Made it harder to pass oil law because would have to recognize existing contracts and terms Energy decisions made by individuals and increased rivalries KRG followed independent policy Opposed by Baghdad 07 KRG signed 1^st deal with foreign company Oct 2011 Exxon signed deal with KRG Upset Baghdad which wanted to centralize power over oil KRG Natural Resource Min said wanted to increase exports to 1 mil/bar/day in 5 yrs Couldn’t do that without deal with Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jan 31 VP Hashem said PM Maliki broke the constitution Called on Pres Talabani to stop Maliki’s abuse

Came after more of Hashemi’s bodyguards and 2 of his staff were arrested

Jan 31 Report Jasim Mohammed Mashadani founded Islamic Army Began meeting people during prayers

in Baghdad after invasion Might’ve been fmr intel agent Said he was a businessman to cover his work Eventually formed ties with other insurgents Set up safe houses Formed units Imported vehicles Focused on propaganda for groups Experimented with new forms of IEDs Moved to Diyala Started working with Ansar al-Sunna Believed US never understood how insurgency started Thought social networks of ex-military and intel officers nationalists Islamists allowed people to meet and organize

 

Feb 1 Report Syrian and Iranian money flowing into Iraq because sanctions meant couldn’t conduct normal

trade to get foreign currency esp $s Central Bank of Iraq $ auctions went from avg $150 mil to $400 mil/day in Dec 2011 Much of that due to currency traders from Syria and Iran

 

Feb 2 Report Statoil wanted to sell stake in West Qurna 2 field to Lukoil Thought Iraq too risky Statoil

and Lukoil won auction for West Qurna 2

Feb 2 Electricity Min Aftan said power problems would be solved in 2014 Didn’t happen

 

Feb 4 MP on parliament’s finance comm said Maliki govt wanted to hire 90,000 new govt workers in 2012

budget Were currently 59,000 new positions Supposed to fight unemployment and hire college graduates Was for political patronage

Feb 4 Central Bank of Iraq issued new rules that buyers of dollars at its auctions would be made public

Was effort to curb Iran Syria and others from buying dollars Didn’t work

 

Feb 7 Report Iranian currency traders scammed traders in Sulaymaniya out of $4 mil Said was done by

Iranian govt to get around sanctions Bought dollars with forged Iraqi dinars and then sent dollars to Iran

Feb 7 Report State Dept planned to slash staff at US Embassy in Baghdad Largest staff in world Before

Obama admin said needed large staff to help after US military withdrawal Now couldn’t get around Iraq because lack of security with military gone Embassy spokesman said it would hire more Iraqis and contractors to cut costs PM Maliki had to personally approve all visas which held up US personal arriving into Iraq Analyst said State had unrealistic view of what it could do in Iraq without US military Thought it could monitor disputed areas Could visit projects around Iraq ISF started arresting US contractors

 

Feb 8 Report 1970s Iraq was developing country Increased electricity schools health care 1952 economy

based upon agriculture Was 23% of GDP Taxes/customs main govt revenue 1950s oil profits began increasing Became 93% of Iraq’s exports 1972 oil industry nationalized 1973 oil prices jumped after Arab-Israeli War and oil embargo Baath tried to improve services to gain support of public Also increased corruption within Baath 1979 Iraq exported avg 3.7 mil/bar/day of oil Saddam ran Oil Comm Wanted to expand infrastructure and exports Built new pipelines to Syria and Turkey Increased oil dependency Increased value of dinar Made other sectors of economy less competitive because more expensive Agriculture dropped to 8% of GPD 1970s construction transportation increased because relied upon govt contracts Govt workers went from 20,000 in 1958 to 821,000 in 1993 Didn’t include military Drop in agriculture increased rural to urban migration 1947 66% of population rural 1977 64% urban Most private businesses became dependent on govt spending Baath rewarded supporters with contracts increasing corruption Social indicators grew in 70s but then started to drop Iraq used up its foreign reserves in Iran-Iraq War Saddam thought he could fund war and social programs initially but couldn’t Iran struck Iraq’s oil terminals dropping revenues 1983 Syria stopped Iraq’s oil exports through pipeline 1979 per capita GDP $4200 By 1988 was $1765 Began importing Egyptians for farming and constructions because men drawn into military for war Put another drain on foreign reserves as foreign workers sent money back to their home countries End of Iran-Iraq War dinar lost 65% of its value Poor economy helped lead to Kuwait invasion

 

Feb 9 Report Speaker of KRG parliament from KDP allegedly gave surplus from 2011 budget to his staff

Was $62 mil Gave long term loans for housing worth $120,000 to staffers Also gave smaller loans of $6000 to others Promoted some Speaker claimed that everything he did was legal

Feb 9 Report Iran had 4 power lines to Iraq to Basra 2 to Diyala 1 to Maysan Iranian company failed to

build power station in Sadr City Iraq owed $350 mil for Iranian electricity imports

Feb 9 Head of Oil Min’s contracts div said Exxon should stop work in KRG it still wanted to work at West

Qurna 1 field in Basra

Feb 9 Report Exxon signed 6 oil and gas deals with KRG 3 of those were in disputed areas Exxon raised

production at West Qurna 1 field in Basra Oil companies have been frustrated with conditions in Iraq including bottlenecks poor coordination delayed payments red tape Water injection plant in Basra to maintain pressure in oil wells planned since 2010 South Oil Company was going to take over project from Exxon Exxon said it wanted to be paid in cash for project Iraq has been paying with oil

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Feb 9 Report ISI Created new commands in Anbar Salahaddin Diyala 3 main goals Gain new members get

new funders Win over locals Source said got some sahwa members to join after didn’t get govt jobs ISI also threatened to kill sahwa that didn’t join ISI wanted to create more sectarian conflict

Feb 9 Report Adv to PM Maliki went to Syria in 2010 to ask Pres Assad to switch support from Allawi to

Maliki for PM Iran was also pushing Syria to back Maliki 2012 Maliki sent representative to Iran Discussed how Iraq could support Syria

 

Feb 10 Sadrists held rally in Baghdad for withdrawal of US forces Sadr speech claimed resistance made the

U.S. depart and lose in Iraq

Feb 10 Report Security analyst said Iran smuggled 10% of Basra’s oil production

Feb 10 Report Total interested in working in KRG Said KRG contracts better than Baghdad’s Tough

terms demanded by Baghdad turned off some companies 2009 Total won contract for Halfaya oil field in Maysan Only got $1-$2 per bar produced Total said too low Total said it would struggle to recover its costs

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Feb 11 Dep Interior Min Asadi said Iraq-Syrian border completely under control Said no jihadists or

weapons going from Iraq into Syria Was wrong

 

Feb 12 Sadr spokesman denied that it was sending fighters to Syria Said it didn’t interfere in other

countries Sadrists were fighting in Syria

Feb 12 Oil Min opened 1^st of 4 mooring points in Basra Had capacity of 850,000 bar/day Hoped to boost

south oil exports to 2.1 mil/bar/day by June 2012

Feb 12 Kuwait reopened embassy in Baghdad Closed since 1990 invasion Kuwait said wanted to increase

trade and investment in Iraq

 

Feb 13 Report Australian police said that subsidiary of Leighton Intl might have paid $1.2 bil in

bribes to get contract

Feb 13 Interior Min issued statement that emo kids were Satanists

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

 

Feb 14 Report Maliki govt said Exxon excluded from 4^th bidding round because signed deals with KRG

Feb 14 Report Turkey supported Allawi in 2010 election Built close ties with KRG When Erdogan came to

power in 2002 started new policy of reaching out to KRG Started massive investment in region Opposed PM Maliki after he went after VP Hashemi

 

Feb 15 Report Oil industry suffered from old infrastructure red tape lack of security Draft oil law

made in 2006 and never passed Infrastructure dated from 1980s Created bottlenecks in exports Iraq lacked pipelines storage facilities investment Iraq offered Tech Service Agreements but proved problematic Required company to pay large amounts up front and then receive money once reached certain production levels Would work better in country with adequate infrastructure to allow production increases unlike Iraq Statoil wanted to end work at West Qurna field because of contract problems

 

Feb 16 Spokesman for Supreme Judicial Council said VP Hashemi’s bodyguards involved in 150 terrorist

attacks including deaths of 2 judges assassination attempt on MP and dep Education minister

Feb 16 Report US backing PM Maliki main reason for increase in violence Was humiliating Sunnis Last qtr of

2011 were 23 attempted mass casualty bombings Jan 2012 were 36 attempts at mass casualty bombings Attacks up since Maliki got 2^nd term in Dec 2010

Feb 16 Iraqis shipping weapons to Syria Mosul arms smuggler sold AKs for $1000 a piece in Syria

Feb 16 Protest in Fallujah in support of Syrian opposition to Assad

 

Feb 17 Mahoum Sarkhi offices set on fire Blamed on followers of Ayatollah Sistani

Feb 17 Report MP on energy committee said $20 mil/day worth of oil smuggled from KRG into Iran

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Smuggling To Iran)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Feb 17 Youth groups attempted to protest in Sulaymaniya to mark 1 yr anniversary of 2011 protests Met

by security forces who beat them and some reporters Then arrested

(Musings On Iraq More On The Stifling Of February 2012 Protests In Iraq)

Feb 17 9 judge comm said that VP Hashemi and his bodyguards ran death squads for yrs Hashemi denied

everything Supreme Judicial Council said found 150 cases of attacks by Hashemis staff from 2005-11

 

Feb 19 Report Maliki govt going after foreign companies and contractors in Green Zone Forced many to

leave Raided offices of security companies Govt made it harder to get visas for foreign companies Hurt business

Feb 19 Saudi Arabia said it would appoint ambassador to Iraq First since 1990 invasion of Kuwait

 

Feb 20 Saudi Arabia named its Jordan Ambassador as non-resident ambassador to Iraq

Feb 20 Iraq signed non-binding memorandum of understanding with Iran to set up water committee Didn’t

help with water shortages caused by Iranian dams

 

Feb 21 Report Counterfeit dinars spreading throughout Iraq Some think gangs involved Many blamed Iran

One analyst blamed ISI

Feb 21 Iraq and consortium led by Russia’s Gazprom gave $329.7 mil deal to UK’s Petrofac to

develop Badra field Later revealed Petrofac paid bribes to get contracts

Feb 21 Report Pres Talabani submitted draft to redraw borders of 17 of Iraq’s 18 provinces Would re-do

borders changed by Saddam KRG hoped it would give it control of disputed areas Didn’t happen

 

Feb 23 Report Iraq was heading OPEC Lobbied members not to increase production to make up for sanctions

on Iran so that OPEC could then push EU to drop sanctions on Tehran

 

Feb 24 Groups planned protest in Baghdad for reforms All entrances to Tahrir Sq blocked by police

Police then spread rumor bomb was going to go off That terrorists were waiting for them That there was a list of people with warrants All meant to stop protest 600-1000 made it into square Reporters covering event were beat and arrested

(Musings On Iraq More On The Stifiling Of February 2012 Protests In Iraq)

Feb 24 Report Friends of Syria meeting held Saudi Arabia and Qatar discussed arming Syrian opposition

Iraq opposed Said it supported reforms in Syria

 

Feb 25 Sadr said PM Maliki becoming a dictator

Feb 25 Rudaw did investigation into Iranian deal in KRG Found $500 mil had been stolen by Iranians Up to

100 businesses were said to have lost money in deal

Feb 25 Protest in Baghdad to commemorate 2011 demonstrations

 

Feb 26 Interview with Dep PM Mutlaq wouldn’t apologize for calling PM Maliki a dictator Maliki claimed

Mutlaq was Saudi agent Mutlaq said Iran was what Iraq should worry about Said Maliki’s govt put together by Iran Said govt was sectarian and partisan Said Irbil agreement that was about power sharing not working Still no Defense Interior National Security ministers Said Dawa took biggest % of govt positions

Feb 26 Report Salahaddin handed over signatures to Election Comm to turn province into region Process

started in Oct Said PM Maliki repressing Sunnis

 

Feb 27 Diyala governor forced to resign after supported autonomy for province

Feb 27 Head of Election Commission said that it got forms to register voters for

            referendum on Salahaddin autonomy

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Feb 28 Report Mass grave of 700 Kurds from Kirkuk Salahaddin and Diyala killed during Anfal campaign

found

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Anfal Campaign And The Destruction Of The Kurdish Opposition)

 

Feb 29 Govt spokesman Dabbagh said 69,263 Iraqis killed from 4/5/04-12/31/11 239,133 wounded 2006 was

deadliest year 21,539 killed 39,329 wounded 2011 2,777 killed Baghdad deadliest province 23,898 killed 2004-2011 Muthanna fewest deaths with 94 from 2004-2011

Feb 29 PM on human rights committee said govt figures on casualties from 2004-2012 were unrealistic Said

1000s disappeared and weren’t included in official numbers Also said people in small villages not included

Feb 29 Report Supreme Court under PM Maliki’s influence Sep 2011 Court issued warrant for MP Saidi who

was a critic of Maliki Was charged under Baathist law for criticizing govt Warrant issued by MP from Maliki’s State of Law not court Court issued warrant 2 days after announcement Feb 2012 2 warrants for MPs for criticizing judiciary

Feb 29 Report PM Maliki was able to split Allawi’s Iraqiya Made deal with Jamal Karbuli by released several

people arrested in Anbar made another deal with Education Min Tamim by releasing prisoners in Kirkuk

Feb 29 Interior Min issued statement that it was going to crackdown on emos in Baghdad

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

 

Mar 1 Human Rights Watch Security forces tried to stop protest on anniversary of 2011 demonstrations Beat

arrested took equipment from journalists trying to cover protests Blocked access to protest site in Baghdad Beat and arrested demonstrators in Sulaymaniya

 

Mar 2 1000s protested in Hit Anbar against Assad govt

 

Mar 4 ISI assassinated 2 police commanders in their homes and took a checkpoint in

            Haditha

Mar 4 Report Diyala farming suffering Lacked fuel electricity govt aid plus drought Many farmers looked for

loans 70% of Diyala’s population farmers

 

Mar 5 Wearing ISF uniforms ISI attacked 5 checkpoints, took 27 police prisoner executed

            them then released video of attacks

 

Mar 6 Dep head of South Oil Company fled Iraq after accused of taking bribes from Leighton to get

contracts Feb Leighton told Australian authorities about possible corrupt practices in Iraq 2010 Leighton won $733 mil contract to install 3 mooring points in Basra to increase oil exports 2011 got $79 mil contract from South Oil Company to add 4^th mooring point Got $158 mil contract for work on pipelines and platforms Leighton did pay bribes

 

Mar 7 Interior Min said attacks on emos was made-up False statement

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

Mar 7 Insurgents bombed Kirkuk oil pipeline cutting northern exports

Mar 7 Article Believed power sharing between KDP and PUK stifled development of democracy in KRG

Ended differences between two parties and help shut out other ones Agreement result of 1998 civil war 50 MP's in KRG parliament from opposition and a few from the PUK asked for investigation into claims that tariffs from border point with Turkey were given to Nechirvan Barzani Speaker turned down request Thought power sharing agreement meant PUK and KDP had to protect each other KDP media outlet criticized Pres Talabani PUK asked KDP to stop publishing outlet and it did Thought KDP and PUK should be competitors not partners

Mar 7 Report Dep of Employment in Irbil said last 7 yrs 22,000 people asked for jobs 2011 were 3000 foreign

workers in KRG Dir of Employment Dep said Kurds didn’t want hard jobs Expected to get job from government and work side job KRG said unemployment low and went down in 2012 Gen Dir of Employment at KRG Labor Min admitted no accurate numbers on unemployment Officially 14% unemployment Economists believed was really above 20% Labor Min said it only allowed professional foreign workers to enter KRG Not true Admitted 1000s of manual laborers

Mar 7 Report Iraqi businessman complained couldn't use credit cards in Iraq Said banks didn't use modern

methods Couldn't always cash a check Held up economic development Banking in Iraq dominated by state-run banks Some small banks but didn't operate as national businesses 7 state-run banks had 85% of assets Head of Private Banks League said state-run banks not investing in Iraq Said just handled govt accounts Nov 2011 report by investment bank said only 900 bank branches in country with over 30 mil people Jordan had over 600 branches for population only 1/5 as large World Bank said Iraqi banks gave $8.1 bil in credit in 2010 9. 8% of GDP Banks in rest of MidEast and NAfrica accounted for avg 55% of GDP Dep Central Bank of Iraq governor said state-run banks didn’t have connections between different branches Lacked computer networks Meant many businesses had to do transactions in cash Large claims of corruption at state-run banks Small banks tended to be more advanced like having ATMs Too small to have real impact Would probably take years to change system

Mar 7 Norway’s Statoil confirmed it would sell its stake in West Qurna 2 oil field to Russia's Lukoil

Statoil owned 18.75% of joint venture Lukoil owned 56.25%

Mar 7 Report MP on oil comm said Oil Min’s secrecy helped smuggling Oil comm asked for greater

transparency from Oil Min 2011 report by Intl Advisory and Monitoring Board said huge amounts of oil smuggling Said Oil Min hadn’t installed meters on all its export outlets Didn't keep track of how much oil went to refineries Said lack of meters allowed smuggling Gangs tapped into oil pipelines with police protection

 

Mar 8 Interior Min said no emos had been killed 50-90 had reportedly been killed

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

 

Mar 9 Suicide car bomb in Hilla Babil killed 50 wounded 160

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

 

Mar 10 Finance Min Issawi met with IMF Said it was opposed to any pay/pension increases Issawi said

that’s what govt wanted

Mar 10 Report 14 teens stoned to death in Baghdad since end of Feb Militias were attacking and

killing emo kids Militias handed out lists of kids they were going to kill Interior Min said emo kids were Satanists

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

Mar 10 Sadrists organized protests in Baghdad Nasiriya Hilla Diwaniya against Bahrain’s treatment of

Shiites

 

Mar 11 KRG said it wanted to produce 1 mil/bar/day of oil by 2014 and 2 mil/bar/day by 2019 Didn’t

happen Meant to draw in investors

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurds Push For More Oil Production, While Bickering With Baghdad Over Exports)

Mar 11 SIIC and Badr officially split into 2 parties

(Musings On Iraq The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council And Badr Brigade Formally Split)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Badr Organization Maintains Its Longtime Ties With Iran)

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

 

Mar 13 Report KRG Natural Resource Min didn’t have good records on imports of fuel or export of oil

KRG imported large amounts of counterfeit and expired medicine Health Min not fighting corruption in health care system Little transparency in contracts signed Many contracts signed by Pres Barzani’s office or cabinet without showing ministries

Mar 13 1^st oil tanker loaded at new floating oil terminal in Basra Would help greatly increase exports

Mar 13 Oil Ministry told KRG not meeting its 175,000 bar/day oil export quota KRG was to get monthly

payments from Baghdad in return Exports been decreasing for months

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurds Push For More Oil Production, While Bickering With Baghdad Over Exports)

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Mar 13 Sahwa in Salahaddin complained hadn’t been paid since Dec 2011 Was not being integrated into

govt as promised All sahwa were supposed to get govt jobs by end of 2010

 

Mar 14 Ninewa council voted to freeze Article 140 that was to determine future

            of disputed areas

Mar 14 Baghdad police held Russia Today reporters for 3 hrs because were doing story on militia attacks

on emos and gays in Baghdad

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Dawa Party Returning To Their Islamic Roots Or Just Trying To Shore Up Their Base? Attempts To Ban Alcohol, Set Public Dress Codes, And Attack Emos And Gays Raise The Question)

Mar 14 PM Maliki went to Kuwait to improve ties Was dispute between two over compensation for stolen

and destroyed airplanes from 1990 invasion Maliki said he resolved problem 

 

Mar 15 One of VP Hashemi’s guards who had accused him of terrorism died in custody

            Authorities claimed kidney failure but pictures showed torture

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Charges Against Iraq’s Vice President, And Why They Matter)

Mar 15 Report oil companies in Kurdistan cut back production because owed money by KRG Baghdad

stopped monthly budget payments to KRG over oil dispute

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurds Push For More Oil Production, While Bickering With Baghdad Over Exports)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Mar 15 Report US asked Iraq to stop flights from Iran to Syria using air space Used to send weapons to

support Assad Maliki govt refused

 

Mar 16 Oil Minister Luaibi claimed Exxon sent letter saying it was suspending its contract in KRG Exxon

continued work in Kurdistan

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Mobile Trying To Have It Both Ways In Iraq, Developing Oil Fields in The South And North)

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Mar 16 Human Rights Watch blamed PM Maliki govt for attacks on emo kids Interior Min originally

denied attacks Said it would go after people spreading stories Called emo kids Satanists and threat to Iraq Said it was going to crackdown on emos in Baghdad

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

 

Mar 17 KRG said Exxon was still going through with its oil contract after Oil Minister claimed it was

suspending work in Kurdistan

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Mobile Trying To Have It Both Ways In Iraq, Developing Oil Fields in The South And North)

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

 

Mar 18 Report Education Min asked schools to start requiring uniforms to stop spread of emo culture

amongst students Human rights committee in parliament said it wanted to end emo movement and denied any murders Reports anywhere from 15-100 emos killed by militias

(Al Jazeera Video: ‘Emo’ Youth Targeted In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq The Government’s Role In The Recent Anti-Emo Violence In Iraq)

Mar 18 From Dec 2011-Mar 2012 were 204 bombings in Iraq 70% increase from same period last year

 

Mar 19 Sadrists held Day of the Oppressed protests in Basra for better services fighting corruption and US

withdrawal

 

Mar 20 Pres Barzani gave speech attacking PM Maliki’s misrule Asked why he was PM Defense Minister

Interior Minister Chief of intelligence Head of National Security Council

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier And Kurdistan’s President Spar Over Weapons As Part Of Larger Political Dispute)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Mar 20 ISI carried out 15 bombings in 10 different cities including Kirkuk Baiji Samarra Baquba Mosul

Fallujah Ramadi Karbala Hilla Car bomb in front of Foreign Ministry Church bombed and suicide bomber tried to kill council head all in Baghdad 50 killed

(Musings On Iraq One Reason Why The Security Forces Can’t Stop Bombings In Iraq)

 

Mar 21 ISI claimed responsibility for 15 bombings in 10 cities on Mar 20 that killed 50 Said wanted to

disrupt security before Arab League summit in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq One Reason Why The Security Forces Can’t Stop Bombings In Iraq)

 

Mar 22 Report PM Maliki attempted to centralize power Set up his own chain of command within security

forces Appointed commanders Tried to control intelligence services

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

Mar 23 ISI broke 19 of its men out of Kirkuk prison

 

Mar 24 Baghdad and Irbil agreed to increased joint patrols in disputed areas of Diyala after increase in

insurgent attacks upon Kurds

Mar 24 Report MP from KRG parliament said 50,000 fake bodyguards used by officials to steal money

 

Mar 25 VP Hashemi claimed ISF tortured one of his bodyguards to death during

            questioning

Mar 25 Pres Barzani said that PM Maliki was abusing his powers and not following Irbil

            agreement made after 2010 elections

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Mar 25 Pres Talabani called for reconciliation between Kurdish Alliance and PM Maliki

Mar 25 Displacement Ministry said Europe was deporting Iraqi refugees and wanted it

            to stop

(Musings On Iraq review Children of War, Voices Of Iraqi Refugees)

Mar 25 Electricity Ministry said it would stop importing power in summer 2013 as

domestic production increased Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament And Cabinet Argue Over Future Electricity Output)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

 

Mar 26 KRG said it would stop oil exports if it didn’t get paid for what it had already shipped Claimed

owed $1.5 bil by Baghdad Said hadn’t gotten monthly payment since May 2011 KRG was not meeting its oil export quota

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Mar 26 KRG demanded that Baghdad get its permission to work on Kirkuk oil field Oil Min was talking

with BP to develop field

(Musings On Iraq Talks Over Development Kirkuk Field Highlight Differences Between Iraq’s Government and Kurds Over Oil In Disputed Territories)

Mar 26 Pres Talabani announced national conference to solve political differences over

            Maliki govt on Apr 5 Barzani and Allawi said they wouldn’t attend

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Mar 26 Saudi owned Al-Sharq Al-Awsat editorial condemned terrorism charges against VP Hashemi Said

Maliki govt was an Iranian creation

 

Mar 27 Baghdad hosted Arab Summit marking major move back into Arab politics

 

Mar 28 Baghdad said it would pay KRG $558 mil for Kurdish oil exports from budget Came after KRG

threatened to stop oil exports for central govt until it got monthly budget payments

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

Mar 28 Report Abdul Masawar Barzani cousin of Pres Barzani and university lecturer taken in by security

forces in Irbil Told to stop criticizing Mulla Musafa Barzani Also criticized tribalism in KRG politics

 

Mar 29 Report Maliki govt going after insurgent financing in Mosul ISI said to earn $200,000/mo from

extorting businesses at market Private generators in city had to pay $200/mo to militants Pharmacies had to pay $100/mo Sources said Asiacell paying ISI Built towers on property owned by ISI 

(Musings On Iraq Analyzing The Finances Of Al Qaeda In Iraq Interview With RAND’s Patrick Johnson)

 

Mar 30 Pres Barzani said PM Maliki becoming authoritarian Criticized Maliki for holding all security

positions Said didn’t follow power sharing agreement

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier And Kurdistan’s President Spar Over Weapons As Part Of Larger Political Dispute)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Mar 30 MP on energy committee said electricity shortages would be worse in 2012 than 2011 Said power

production would only be slightly up by 2014 Came after Dep PM Shahristani said that Iraq would become self-sufficient in power by end of 2013

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament And Cabinet Argue Over Future Electricity Output)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

Mar 30 Report KDP training Syrian Kurds to return to Syria and fight

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

 

Mar 31 Oil Ministry paid oil companies in Kurdistan $650 mil for exports Concession to KRG after it

threatened to stop all exports for Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

Mar 31 Audit of State Dept advisory program for Interior Min found 94% of funds went to supporting

personnel and only 6% for the advisers

 

Apr 1 PM Maliki said that if Pres Assad lost power there would be problems throughout

            the Middle East Condemned Gulf States for arming Syrian rebels

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Syrian Policy)

Apr 1 KRG halted oil exports for Baghdad over budget dispute

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Central And Region

al Governments Reach Third Oil Deal, But Will It Last?)

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Increases Pressure Upon Kurdistan For Its Oil Policy By Threatening To Cut Its Share Of The Budget)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Apr 1 VP Hashemi went to Qatar violating his arrest warrant

 

Apr 2 Over 300 followers of Mahmoud Sarkhi arrested in Nasiriya

Apr 2 Dep PM Shahristani accused KRG of smuggling oil to Iran and Turkey Said KRG had earned $3.5

bil from smuggling in 2011 Said KRG not meeting its oil export quota under 2012 budget Said KRG owed Baghdad $5.6 bil

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Apr 2 Oil Min Luaibi claimed Exxon was halting work in KRG so that it could continue

            working with Baghdad KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami denied that

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Mobile Trying To Have It Both Ways In Iraq, Developing Oil Fields in The South And North)

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Apr 2 Report KRG stopped oil exports for Baghdad 2011 made budget deal for KRG to export oil for

Baghdad in return for monthly budget payments KRG said hadn’t gotten money since May 2011 KRG was exporting 50,000 bar/day for Baghdad below its quota March 2012 Finance Min Issawi said Baghdad would be paying KRG $560 mil but had to be audited first Dep PM Shahristnai accused Kurds of smuggling oil to Iran and Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Increases Pressure Upon Kurdistan For Its Oil Policy By Threatening To Cut Its Share Of The Budget)

Apr 2 Central Bank of Iraq tried to tighten rules on dollar auctions to stop money laundering Used by Iran

and Syria to get around sanctions Poor enforcement meant didn’t work

(Musings On Iraq Are Iran And Syria Buying Up American Dollars In Iraq To Get Around Sanctions?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

 

Apr 3 Kurds accused Shiite parties in Baghdad of smuggling oil to Israel via Jordan

            after Dep PM Shahristani accused KRG of smuggling oil to Iran

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

Apr 3 Ayatollah Sistani rep in Hillah had house bombed in wave of attacks against Ayatollah’s

            followers in Baghadd Karbala Muthanna Babil Qadisiya Najaf Dhi Qar Basra

Apr 3 Obama called PM Maliki about Iran flying weapons to Syria via Iraqi airspace Couldn’t get Maliki

to stop them

 

Apr 4 Dep PM Shahristani told Kirkuk governor had to stop oil smuggling to KRG

Apr 4 State of Law MP accused Kurds of trying to prevent army from buying new equipment

Apr 4 PM Maliki sent envoy to try to improve ties with Turkey but failed

Apr 4 Report KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami admitted that KRG smuggling oil to Iran Said KRG

wanted to build its own oil pipeline to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Apr 4 Report Saudi papers said there should be sanctions on Iraq to stop PM Maliki from becoming new

Saddam Said Maliki standing with Assad showed that he couldn’t be trusted Said Maliki was an Iranian puppet

(Musings On Iraq review A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, The Saudi Struggle For Iraq)

 

Apr 5 Report US Amb Jeffrey met with PM Maliki 9 times since start of year to try to mediate

            Baghdad vs Irbil argument

Apr 5 New KRG cabinet under Premier Nechirvan Barzani sworn in Opposition boycotted

            ceremony

Apr 5 Pres Barzani said Iraq could become a dictatorship again due to PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 5 Report Shell was considered signing oil deal with KRG but backed out after decided to focus on

Basra Major oil companies more interested in KRG due to problems with Baghdad including red tape infrastructure bottlenecks

(Musings On Iraq Will Shell Take The Leap Into Iraq’s Kurdistan?)

 

Apr 6 Proposed national conference to deal with protests and problems with PM Maliki

            didn’t happen

Apr 6 ISF closed off Tahrir Sq to try to stop protests

 

Apr 7 Kurdish Alliance said committee put together to work out problems with PM Maliki

Apr 7 Dep PM Shahristani complained about KRG oil contracts saying they were unrealistic

(Musings On Iraq Kurds May Be Fighting Losing Battle With Iraq’s Central Government Over Oil Exports)

Apr 7 Report Integrity Comm member said Basra had wasted $20.6 mil from 09-11

Apr 7 Naqshibandi leader Izzat al-Dhuri statement Called on Iraqis to unite against the Persians that ran Iraq

 

Apr 8 Pres Barzani and Sadr both said PM Maliki becoming an autocrat

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 8 Report Iraqiya trying to get parties to back no confidence vote against PM Maliki Kurds rejected

idea

 

Apr 9 KRG cabinet said that KDP and PUK Interior Ministries were going to unite Never fully integrated

Apr 9 ISF attacked nightclubs and alcohol shops in Baghdad and shut them down

Apr 9 Pres Barzani said that Baghdad was marginalizing Kurds within ISF and

            that F-16s could be used against KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier And Kurdistan’s President Spar Over Weapons As Part Of Larger Political Dispute)

Apr 9 Iraqiya complained PM Maliki centralizing power

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 9 Parliament committee created to investigate mass arrests in Baghdad before

            Arab Summit Never made report

Apr 9 Sadrist march in Baghdad to mark 8 yr anniversary of fall of Saddam Spokesman threatened to

bring back Mahdi Army if US did not withdraw by end of yr

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadr Could Be Backing Off Threat To Revive Mahdi Army If U.S. Doesn’t Withdraw)

 

Apr 10 PM Maliki said that if Assad deposed in Syria would cause greater problems in

            Middle East

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Syrian Policy)

Apr 10 Sadrist MP said no confidence vote against Maliki would not be good move

            Pushed for national conference instead to work out differences

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq Why The Talk Of A No Confidence Vote Against Iraq’s Premier Maliki Remains Just Talk)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Apr 11 Kurds attended Ninewa council for 1^st time since boycotting in 2009 when Hadbaa

            won power Hadbaa boycotted in response

(Musings On Iraq Kurds End Their Boycott Of Iraq’s Ninewa Provincial Council, But Divisions Within Province Likely To Continue)

Apr 11 Ninewa Gov Nujafi said he wanted to work with KRG to resolve issues over developing oil in

province Part of move by Nujafi towards KRG which he previously opposed

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

Apr 11 Court denied ex-VP Hashemi’s charge that 2 of his bodyguards were tortured to

            death by ISF

Apr 11 Order issued to integrate KDP and PUK Interior Ministries within 45 days Didn’t happen

Apr 11 Kurdish intel beat 2 reporters covering meeting at a military facility in Dohuk

 

Apr 12 Kurdish MP said that VP Hashemi should not come back to Kurdistan after

            his tour of Middle East

Apr 12 Clash between followers of Mahmoud Sarkhi and police

Apr 12 Kurdish Alliance wanted Dep PM Shahristani to appear before parliament over

            corruption questions Shahristani filed lawsuit against them

Apr 12 State of Law MP announced arrest warrant on corruption charges against Election

Commission chief Part of Maliki intimidation move Pres Barzani said Maliki was trying to kill democracy and horde power

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Takes On Election Commission Once Again)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

Apr 13 ISI said it was responsible for March prison break in Kirkuk that freed 19 prisoners

Apr 13 Head of Election Commission and another member were arrested on corruption

            charges brought up by PM Maliki to get rid of them

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Takes On Election Commission Once Again)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 13 Report Feb 2012 Exxon withdrew from Common Seawater Supply Facility that was to help with oil

production

 

Apr 14 KRG official said there were around 700 advisers experts and general managers

            in Kurdish govt Said they cost 6.3 bil dinars

Apr 14 Dep PM Mutlaq said arrest warrants for Election Commission members was political move Pres

Barzani said it was attempt by PM Maliki to centralize govt Sadr said Maliki wanted to control future elections

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Takes On Election Commission Once Again)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 14 Integrity Comm reported prisons not following orders to release prisoners found

            not guilty or who had served sentences unless got payoffs

Apr 14 Followers of Mahmoud Sarkhi held protest in Baghdad demanding release of

            their followers

 

Apr 15 Head of Election Comm released after being arrested on corruption charges trumped

            up by Maliki to get rid of him

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Takes On Election Commission Once Again)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 15 Kurdish members of Ninewa council stopped from entering Mosul at army

            checkpoint

Apr 15 Central Bank of Iraq set new rules on dollar auctions to try to stop large sales being manipulated

by insurgents foreign countries politicians banks Didn’t work

 

Apr 16 Report PM Maliki had shut out his adviser for Kurdish Affairs Adel Barwari

Apr 16 Report Iraqiya in talks with Kurdish Alliance and members of National Coalition to

            remove PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Apr 16 State of Law said it would run on its own and not with other Shiite parties in 2013

            provincial vote

Apr 16 Integrity committee said it voted on dismissing Baghdad’s mayor Issawi for

            wasting money on fake contracts

Apr 16 Dep PM Mutlaq worried that Maliki govt interfering in Central Bank of Iraq and value of dinar

which was dropping against the dollar Reports that PM Maliki told Bank not to revalue dinar Oct Maliki would arrest head of bank

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Apr 16 Report PM Maliki thought Election Comm helped Allawi win 2010 election 2011 Supreme Court

ruled Election comm under control of cabinet State of Law MP Fatlawi began investigation of commission claiming it was corrupt Led to PM Maliki arresting Election comm head

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Takes On Election Commission Once Again)

Apr 16 Report Smugglers stealing $5 mil in fuel/mo from floating power boats in Basra Fuel trucked to

Kurdistan and then out of Iraq

 

Apr 17 Sadrists accused Sate of Law of trying to cancel elections so it could stay in power

            Said was why Election Comm head was arrested

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Takes On Election Commission Once Again)

Apr 17 PM Maliki’s adviser on Kurdish Affairs Adel Barwari removed from post

Apr 17 PM Maliki accused Kurds of smuggling oil to Iran

 

Apr 18 Dep PM Shahristani said Exxon would not start working in KRG until Baghdad

            approved contract Exxon went ahead anyway

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Apr 18 Report Dep PM Shahristani revised prediction for future Iraq oil production from 12 mil/bar/day

by 2017 to 8.5 mil/bar/day Didn’t meet either mark

Apr 18 Allawi said PM Maliki was trying to destroy the political system Said Kurds ISCI Communists and

others felt excluded from govt

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

Apr 19 Anbar councilman said province would move towards federal region to protest Maliki govt

Apr 19 ISI set off car bombs and suicide bomber in Baghdad Kirkuk Samarra Baquba, Dibis 36 killed

            more than 150 wounded

Apr 19 After meeting with Turkish officials Pres Barzani accused PM Maliki of moving towards

dictatorship

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

Apr 19 Oil Min said it would exclude Exxon from May oil and gas auction in retaliation for signing oil

deals with KRG

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Apr 19 Report Violence between followers of Sarkhi and Ayatollah Sistani Sticky bomb on Sistani envoy

in Maysan Other attacks on Sistani followers in Babil Baghdad Karbala Muthanna Qadisiiya Najaf Dhi Qar Basra Sarkhi’s offices bombed in Karbala Najaf Qadisiya Basra Fire bombing of offices in Maysan Dhi Qar Babil Muthanna Sarkhi claimed he has higher clerical status than Sistani

Apr 19 Report PM Maliki reaching out to Asaib Ahl Al-Haq to cut into Sadr vote in provincial election

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Apr 19 Report Used to be 90,000 Sahwa Now around 50,000 Haven’t gotten govt jobs as promised Not

consistently paid Targeted by ISI Natl Reconciliation Min said 40,000 integrated into govt Rest infiltrated by ISI

(Musings On Iraq Behind The Revival Of The Islamic State in Iraq, Interview With Naval War College Prof Craig Whiteside)

Apr 19 Parliament’s integrity comm evaluated ministry budget execution Said failing to provide services

Said 6 ministers should be removed Education Min only executed 6% of budget Culture 12% Defense 29% Public Works 39% Higher Educ 39% Interior 50%

 

Apr 20 Oil Ministry backed down Said Exxon could continue work at West Qurna oil field despite

            signing oil deal with Kurds

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Apr 20 Sadr met with KRG PM Barzani in Tehran to talk about removing PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Apr 20 Pres Barzani gave speech saying power sharing agreement after 2010 elections

was dead due to PM Maliki Said that PKK would not be tolerated if it continued to use violence

Apr 20 PM Maliki called Turkey a hostile country Turkey’s Erdogan said Maliki creating sectarian

tensions

Apr 20 Report PM Maliki becoming autocrat Concentrating power Going after opponents 2010 election

increased political divisions Issued arrest warrant for VP Hashemi in 2011 Banned Dep PM Mutlaq from cabinet Maliki ignored Irbil agreement after 2010 election to share power Maliki named National Security and Defense Ministers which were supposed to go to other parties Courts come under Maliki’s control Ruled independent commissions under cabinet’s control not parliament Court ruled new laws can only come from cabinet not parliament Arrested head of Election Comm Salahaddin and Diyala said they would become regions to protest Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

Apr 21 National Alliance meeting about PM Maliki Said he had to respect Election Commission Central

Bank of Iraq Office of Financial Supervision Integrity Comm Media Comm Came after Maliki arrested head of Election Comm

 

Apr 22 Attack on Najaf offices of Ayatollah Fayadh in wave of attacks against Iraq’s

            top clerics

Apr 22 Turkey’s Erdogan compared PM Maliki to Saddam

Apr 22 2 leaders from ISCI and Sadrists said they were not in talks with other parties for no confidence

vote vs PM Maliki ISCI said it stood behind Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Why The Talk Of A No Confidence Vote Against Iraq’s Premier Maliki Remains Just Talk)

 

Apr 23 Iran tried to work out deal between PM Maliki and Sadr Two signed letter of understanding but

failed Sadr moved into growing critic of Maliki’s rule

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq Why The Talk Of A No Confidence Vote Against Iraq’s Premier Maliki Remains Just Talk)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

Apr 23 Iraq’s Foreign Ministry called in Turkey’s ambassador complaining about

            Ankara’s interference in Iraqi politics Pres Erdogan had criticized PM Maliki

Apr 23 Report When Pres Barzani visited US he told Obama admin not to sell F-16 fighters to Iraq as long

as PM Maliki in office

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier And Kurdistan’s President Spar Over Weapons As Part Of Larger Political Dispute)

Apr 23 Pres Barzani said PM Maliki not following through with promises to share power

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

Apr 23 Oil Min said Iraq would reach 6 mil/bar/day in exports by end of 2013 Didn’t happen

 

Apr 24 Sound bomb at offices of Ayatollah Najafi in wave of attacks upon leading

            ayatollahs

Apr 24 Pres Barzani said that Exxon would follow through with its contracts to work

            with KRG despite threats from Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Apr 24 Parliament’s energy comm said electricity production and imports down Rejected Electricity Min

claim that production was at 9,000 megawatts Said it was only at 4,000 Predicted massive power shortages during summer

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament And Cabinet Argue Over Future Electricity Output)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

Apr 24 Report Nov 2011 car bombing of parliament building involved adviser to MP and 2 bodyguards

Apr 24 Sadrists said some parties talked about replacing PM Maliki Said it supported Maliki Sadr had

been criticizing Maliki before

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

 

Apr 25 Accordance Front spokesman threatened no confidence vote against PM Maliki unless

he followed Irbil power sharing agreement

Apr 25 Pres Barzani said that unless PM Maliki shared power would be a revolt by

            other ruling parties Said Maliki was like a dictator

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

Apr 26 Sulaymaniya court gave protest organizer life in prison after policeman killed

            at protest in Halabja

Apr 26 Sadr went to Irbil to meet Pres Barzani over no confidence vote against PM Maliki Beforehand

Sadrist spokesman said would not support vote against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Apr 27 Kurdish Alliance returned to Ninewa council after boycott started in 2009

            when Hadbaa took all the top posts after elections

 

Apr 28 Pres Barzani Pres Talabani Sadr Speaker Nujafi Allawi met in Irbil to discuss no confidence vote

against PM Maliki Issued demands to Maliki Sadr said he would be removed if didn’t submit to them Maliki never replied

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Heading To Mosul To Challenge Speaker Nujafi)

(Musings On Iraq Why The Talk Of A No Confidence Vote Against Iraq’s Premier Maliki Remains Just Talk)

(Musings On Iraq The Sadrists’ Double Game: Criticizing Iraq’s Prime Minister, While Supporting Him At The Same Time)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

Apr 28 Pres Talabani tried to moderate between Maliki Barzani and Allawi over

            having no confidence vote against PM

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Apr 29 Pres Barzani told US he objected to selling F-16s to Baghdad Said didn’t trust

            PM Maliki with them

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier And Kurdistan’s President Spar Over Weapons As Part Of Larger Political Dispute)

Apr 29 Kurdish Coalition demanded Baghdad arm Peshmerga as part of country’s security forces Said in

2007 Irbil and Baghdad agreed on it

Apr 29 Special Inspector Gen for Iraqi Reconstruction found 76% of Commander’s Emergency Response

funds were lost to fraud and corruption Money went to contracts with many groups from officials to insurgents taking their cut

(Musings On Iraq review Hard Lessons, The Iraq Reconstruction Experience)

Apr 29 Pres Barzani Pres Talabani Sadr Speaker Nujafi Allawi gave PM Maliki 15 days to follow Irbil

Agreement over power sharing Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

Apr 29 Sadrists repeated that they would not support no confidence vote vs PM Maliki

 

Apr 30 KRG said Baghdad should pay foreign oil companies working in Kurdistan Wanted independent

oil contracts but for Baghdad to pay its bills

Apr 30 Allawi said he wouldn’t go to national conference to resolve differences with PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Apr 30 4 bodyguards of fmr Speaker Mashadani arrested for terrorism VP Hashemi and bodyguards

charged with killing 6 judges and other murders

Apr 30 MP on integrity committee said Anbar Gov Fahadawi sent $52 mil in stolen funds to Dubai Govt

sued MP Integrity Commission opened case against Fahdawi on 44 charges of corruption

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

May 1 Report PM Maliki used his power as commander and chief and Defense Interior and National

Security Ministers after 2010 election to assert control over ISF Relied upon Adnan Asadi Dep Interior Min Sadoun Dulaimi acting Defense Min Falah Fayad acting National Sec Min Hadi Amiri MP Hassan Sunaid head of security committee Zuhairi Maliki’s chief of staff Maliki has changed officers without parliamentary consent Bypassed chain of command Took over control of police chiefs

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

May 2 Supreme Court issued decision weakening parliament’s ability to question

            ministers

 

May 3 Report National Alliance had meeting and came out supporting PM Maliki against no confidence

move

 

May 4 Pres Barzani gave speech saying Kurds would never live under a dictatorship

            meaning Maliki

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

May 4 KRG called for Baghdad to pay oil companies operating in Kurdistan Wanted independent oil

contracts but for Baghdad to pay its bills

May 4 KRG said in talks with Turkey to build an oil and gas pipeline between two

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurds’ Gambit On Pipelines To Turkey May Not Pan Out)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

May 4 Pres Barzani said he didn’t fear Iraq getting F-16s after he came out against US selling them due to

fears about their use Claimed Iraqi army wanted to attack KRG

May 4 Report UN said Iraq’s 5 yr plan failed Budgeted $86 bil for investment and development projects

Planning Min said security and politics would delay implementing 5 yr plan until 2013

May 4 Head of Natl Investment Comm said Iraq had signed 780 investment licenses worth $32 bil since

08 Only 30% started Held up by disputes between govt offices and lack of qualified bureaucrats Maysan Wasit Diyala Baghdad only 3 or fewer out of every 10 projects started

May 4 Spokesman for Higher Educ Minister said parliament questioning minister was illegal Iraqiya

accused minister of removing professors for sectarian reasons using deBaathification Was no confidence vote against him

(Musings On Iraq The Failure Of Iraq’s Parliament To Oversee The Government: The Case Of Higher Education Minister Adeeb)

 

May 5 Anbar council said it finished preparation to hold referendum on making province a

            region

May 5 Pres Talabani Pres Barzani Sadr Speaker Nujafi and Allawi issued ultimatum

            to PM Maliki follow power sharing Irbil agreement

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 5 Report Electricity Min said power supply would double within a year Dep PM Shahristani said

power shortages would end in 2013 Report said even with increase wouldn’t meet demand

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament And Cabinet Argue Over Future Electricity Output)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

 

May 7 Iraqi court ruled that Hezbollah’s Ali Mussa Daqduq would be released for lack evidence Daqduq

was liaison with militias Helped Iranian Revolution Guards in Iraq Helped plan 2007 attack upon Karbala ops center that killed 4 US soldiers Was defended in court by Sadrist lawyer

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah Commander About To Be Released From Iraqi Prison)

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

May 7 At meeting with Turkish businesses and reporters KRG PM Barzani said

            Ankara saw Kurdistan as strategic partner

May 7 Iran said it would build natural gas pipeline to Iraq for $450 mil Iraq would become dependent

upon Iranian gas for its power stations

May 7 State of Law said Pres Barzani real dictator after he accused PM Maliki of being autocrat Said

Barzani ruled KRG For 20 years Son was chief of intelligence nephew was PM Said Barzani asked Saddam for help in civil war vs PUK in 1996

 

May 8 PM Maliki held cabinet meeting in Kirkuk to highlight problems between Arabs and

            Kurds

(Musings On Iraq Maliki’s Visit To Kirkuk Meant To Divide Iraqi National Movement And Kurdish Coalition)

May 8 Allawi said PM Maliki was becoming an autocrat

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

 

May 9 Report Electricity Min inspector general found $5 mil being stolen a month from contract for

Turkish ships to provide electricity to Basra

May 9 PM Maliki said Peshmerga should leave Kirkuk while Kurds criticized PMs visit

            to city

(Musings On Iraq Maliki’s Visit To Kirkuk Meant To Divide Iraqi National Movement And Kurdish Coalition)

May 9 Turkey said it would not arrest former Vice Pres Hashemi who was residing

            there after Interpol warrant for him

 

May 11 PM Maliki said Turkey was not respecting Iraq

 

May 12 KRG complained about PM Maliki holding cabinet meeting in Kirkuk Listed all

            grievances with Baghdad over oil Article 140 etc

(Musings On Iraq Maliki’s Visit To Kirkuk Meant To Divide Iraqi National Movement And Kurdish Coalition)

May 12 KRG Natural Resource Min said if Baghdad didn’t deliver region’s share of

            budget it would truck oil for exports independently

 

May 13 Report that Pres Talabani supported PM Maliki while Sadr Speaker Nujafi Pres

Barzani and Allawi wanted no confidence vote Sadr actually stood with Maliki

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 13 Report that Syrian govt was arresting and deporting Iraqis

May 13 Ninewa Gov Nujafi announced he was reconciling with KRG When Nujafi elected in 09 Kurds

boycotted provincial govt

May 13 Report State Dept cutting police training program Originally called for 350 trainers Cut to 50

Some thought program might end soon State was supposed to take over program from Pentagon but couldn’t Lacked resources and personnel

 

May 14 Human Rights Ministry said 70,000 Iraqis had been killed since 2003 250,000 had been wounded

 

May 15 Trial of ex-VP Hashemi began Bodyguard claimed Hashemi implicated in 150 attacks

            from 2005-11

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Charges Against Iraq’s Vice President, And Why They Matter)

May 15 Human Rights Watch Report Govt continued to arrest without warrants Held people without

charges or trials Ran secret prisons Govt said it closed secret prison at Camp Honor in Baghdad but still open 2 other secret prisons in Green Zone ISF conducted mass arrests

(Musings On Iraq Human Rights Watch reports On Two Mass Arrest Campaigns And Continued Abuses By The Security Forces In Iraq)

 

May 16 End of deadline set by Sadrists for PM Maliki to implement Irbil power sharing

agreement Maliki did not respond

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

May 16 Report PM Maliki’s arrest of Election Comm head seemed to turn Sadr against PM Started talking

about no confidence vote Met with Kurds and Speaker Nujafi 2 biggest opponents of Maliki Issued list of demands for Maliki to follow then did nothing

May 16 Pres Barzani said he was fed up with PM Maliki and could not work with him

anymore

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

May 16 PM Maliki allowed Dep PM Mutlaq back to work after dismissing him as political

            threat during no confidence move

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier Maliki And His Deputy Mutlaq Reconcile)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

 

May 17 KDP Asayesh arrested 3 Yazidis for attending govt sponsored conference to intimidate

            them to stay away from Baghdad

May 17 PM Maliki withdrew no confidence request to parliament against Dep PM Mutlaq to

            try to stop no confidence move against himself

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Premier Maliki And His Deputy Mutlaq Reconcile)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 17 Central Bank of Iraq said banks were selling hard currency directly to buyers for profit rather

than being middle man Reports Syria and Iran buying dollars in Iraq and smuggling them out

 

May 18 Human Rights Watch reported secret prison in Green Zone run by PM Maliki said to

            be closed in March 2011 still operating

May 18 KRG began preparations to build independent oil pipeline to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurds’ Gambit On Pipelines To Turkey May Not Pan Out)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

May 19 Sadr called conference with Kurds Speaker Nujafi Ahmed Chalabi about PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Why The Talk Of A No Confidence Vote Against Iraq’s Premier Maliki Remains Just Talk)

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

May 19 Ayatollah Haeri called on Sadr to stop trying to divide Shiites showing Iran’s

            displeasure with moves against PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Why The Talk Of A No Confidence Vote Against Iraq’s Premier Maliki Remains Just Talk)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

May 19 France’s Total announced talks with KRG about oil deals there over objections

            of Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

May 19 Protest in Basra against Turkey hosting wanted ex-VP Hashemi

 

May 20 PUK and KDP Finance Ministries said they had merged

May 20 KRG said it was building independent oil pipeline to Turkey Said it would reach 2

            mil/bar/day in production by 2014 Didn’t make that mark

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurds’ Gambit On Pipelines To Turkey May Not Pan Out)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

May 20 Meeting of political leaders decided to hold off on no confidence vote against

            PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

May 21 KRG announced energy deals with Turkey Baghdad warned KRG it could not

sign independent oil deals with Turkey Dep PM Shahristani ordered Oil Ministry to stop petrol deliveries to KRG Would later deny he gave order

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

May 21 Senate Panel voted to stop funding State Dept police training program in Iraq Was supposed to

replace Pentagon program

May 21 Report Most workers in KRG want govt jobs Are wanted ads in private sector all the time but

locals don’t want them or don’t have skills Led to importation of foreign workers KRG hired 25,000 workers in 2011 Planned to hire 40,000 in 2012 Not enough to meet demand

 

May 22 Integrity Comm found 5000 forged certificates and diplomas used by govt officials

May 22 Dep PM Shahristani ended order to stop fuel supplies to KRG after met with Pres Talabani Was

threat to KRG after signed oil deal with Turkey Iraq told Turkey to halt pipeline deal with KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

May 22 Report 4 electricity generators found in Khor Zubayr port in Basra 1 had been there since 1988

Other 3 had been there since 2005 Had capacity of over 2000 megawatts

May 22 Report Pres Barzani Allawi Speaker Nujafi demanded PM Maliki be replaced National Alliance

said supported Maliki

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

 

May 23 Iraq hosted nuclear talks between Iran and six countries

May 23 Head of Central Bank of Iraq called for econ reforms Said state expanding too much Retarded

development of private sector 95% of govt revenue from oil Only provides 1% of jobs Unofficial unemployment 30% If wanted to deal with jobless had to move away from oil dependence

 

May 24 KRG PM Barzani said that if Baghdad cut off fuel deliveries KRG would

            export oil independently

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

May 24 Sadr asked National Alliance to replace PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

May 25 Dawa held march in Baghdad to support PM Maliki during no confidence drive against him

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 25 Baghdad said that all Kurdish oil deals with Turkey had to be approved by the central govt

May 25 Gorran MP condemned PUK for running 25 trade companies and KDP 50 others Said parties were

supposed to be involved in politics not the economy

 

May 26 Report KDP-PUK tried to monopolize market in largest businesses in KRG PUK ran Asia Cell

since 90s PUK placed fees on profits from companies it didn’t control Also owned front companies Nokan Group worth $4-5 bil Largest landowner in Sulaymaniya

 

May 27 Pres Barzani said KDP and PUK peshmerga would be united by end of year Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Divided Kurds, Political Divisions Amongst The Peshmerga Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

May 27 Kurdish Coalition said hadn’t decided on no confidence vote against Maliki 

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

May 28 KRG PM Barzani compared Maliki to Saddam claiming Kurds were being

            expelled from Diyala and Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

May 28 Meeting in Irbil with Speaker Nujafi Allawi Sadr spokesman and Kurds over

            no confidence vote against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

 

May 29 Basra council called for province to become federal region

May 29 Maliki held cabinet meeting in Mosul to try to undermine no confidence vote

            against him Kurds boycotted meeting

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Heading To Mosul To Challenge Speaker Nujafi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Tries To Appease Sunni Provinces By Reinstating Saddam Era Soldiers)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 29 Iraqi court found Hezbollah operative Daquq innocent of terrorism charges Was

            liaison between Iran Hezbollah and militias

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

May 29 Dep PM Shahristani denied that he ordered stop of fuel deliveries to KRG even though he did in

dispute over oil

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

May 29 Dawa accused Kurds of working with Mossad Iranian intel reportedly gave info to National Sed

Adv Fayadh on Kurds

 

May 30 Maliki said he was reinstating Saddam era army officers as concession to Sunni

            parties to stop no confidence vote against him

May 30 Pres Talabani met Pres Barzani Allawi Speaker Nujafi Dep PM Mutlaq in

Sulaymaniya and refused to back no confidence vote vs Maliki Talabani said to be under Iranian pressure to end no confidence move

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

May 30 Sadr said if Iraqiya and Kurdish Coalition backed no confidence vote against

            Maliki he would support it

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

May 30 Badr and Fadhila wrote letter to Maliki saying they supported him during no confidence move

against him

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

May 30 Iraq Oil Ministry held 4^th auction for 12 oil and gas fields Only 1 winning bid

(Musings On Iraq Map Of Iraq’s Fourth Oil And Gas Auction, May 2012)

(Musings On Iraq Disappointing Fourth Oil And Gas Auction For Iraq)

 

May 31 2^nd day of 4^th auction round for Iraq oil and gas fields Only 2 winning bids

(Musings On Iraq Disappointing Fourth Oil And Gas Auction For Iraq)

May 31 Iraq announced 5^th auction round for Iraqi oil and gas fields would be held

            after disappointing 4^th auction

May 31 Ninewa Gov Nujafi claimed almost enough votes in parliament to hold

            no confidence move against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 1 US asked Iraq to extradite Hezbollah operative Daqduq to US after Iraqi court

            found him innocent of terrorism Didn't happen

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

Jun 1 During anniversary of founding PUK Pres Talabani mentioned Gorran head

            Mustafa 29 times pointing to possible reconciliation

Jun 1 Report Iran pressured Sadr to pull support for no confidence vote against Maliki

            Sadr called for all parties to move against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 1 Gallup poll Iraq ranked last in Physical Wellbeing Index in Mideast

 

Jun 3 Iraqiya turned over signatures of MPs for no confidence vote against PM Maliki to Pres Talabani

Jun 3 Dep PM Mutlaq said no confidence vote against Maliki would reflect

            popular mood in Iraq

Jun 3 Sadrists again said they supported no confidence vote against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

Jun 3 Ayatollah Haeri issued fatwa against voting for secular candidates as pressure

            on Sadr to drop no confidence vote vs Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 4 Iran called Sadr to talk him out of backing no confidence vote against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 4 Shiite Endowment offices in Baghdad bombed 26 dead 125 wounded Bomb

            at Sunni Endowment defused but hit by mortar

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jun 4 Inter Min head of explosives Gen Jabiri given 4 yrs in prison on misdemeanor

charges for buying fake bomb detectors

 

Jun 5 US intel report attacks by ISI went from 19 per month in 2011 to 25 per month

            in 2012

Jun 5 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said KRG could reach 2 mil/bar/day

            in production by 2019

Jun 5 Sadr criticized Asaib Ahl Al-Haq march in Baghdad claiming it was directed by Iran 2 State of Law

officials attended event

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 5 Sadrists/Mahdi Army members started riots in two different prisons in Baghdad

Jun 5 Report Maliki tried to get Sadr kicked out of National Alliance because

            supported no confidence vote

Jun 5 Sadr said Maliki should be investigated for trying to stop MPs from signing

            no confidence vote against him

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 6 PM Nechirvan Barzani talked with Turkish PM Erdogan about KRG exporting

            oil to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 6 Report front companies acting as recruiters for Iraqis to go fight in Syria for Assad

            govt

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

Jun 6 Report Central Bank of Iraq increasing dollar sales Many thought Syria and Iran buying up dollars to

get around sanctions

Jun 6 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq recently marched Claimed Saudis Qatar Turkey plotting against PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 6 Sadr announced he was going to Iran to discuss no confidence vote vs PM Maliki Iran also trying to

press Maliki to make concessions with other parties

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

 

Jun 8 Maliki and State of Law started working on getting MPs to remove names from

            no confidence vote against Maliki

Jun 8 Loyalty of Iraq announced 20 MPs said they took names off Maliki no confidence

            vote

Jun 8 Solution Movement within Iraqiya said withdrawing from no confidence vote

            against Maliki

Jun 8 Sadrists called for parliament to hold no confidence vote against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 8 Sadr denied that any of his followers fighting in Syria They were

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

Jun 8 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq suspected of killing leading Sadrist in Baghdad 1^st of 5 such assassinations

between 2 groups

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Jun 9 Iraqiya called for parliament to hold no confidence vote against Maliki

Jun 9 Sadr bloc said they wanted immediate no confidence vote vs PM Maliki Then held press conference

didn’t want no confidence anymore just political reform after Iranian pressure

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 9 Integrity Comm found Defense Min using Rafidain Bank to give out fake loans Bank director gave

loans to members of Baghdad Brigade

 

Jun 10 Pres Talabani rejected no confidence letter against PM Maliki claiming not enough MPs Number of

MPs went from 176 to 160 to 157 Needed 163 MPs Talabani said only 160 MPs on no confidence letter were valid

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 11 After Pres Talabani rejected no confidence vote Barzani and Iraqiya said they would still

            push issue

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 11 Pres Talabani’s office announced it was holding talks with PKK to work out a ceasefire

            with Turkey

 

Jun 12 Kurdish MP claimed if no confidence vote against Maliki went to parliament

            would be passed

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 12 PM Maliki held cabinet meeting in Dhi Qar trying to prop up base against no

            confidence vote

Jun 12 Planning Min said per capita income rose from $100 in 2004 to $4,000 in 2011

 

Jun 13 ISI bombed Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad Karbala Salahaddin and Babil along with Anbar and KDP HQ

in Kirkuk 84 killed total almost 300 injured

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Insurgents Launch Summer Offensive In June 2012)

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jun 13 Report Ayatollah Khamenei tried to persuade Sadr to drop opposition to

            Maliki Quds Force commander Gen Suleimani already failed

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

Jun 13 Dir of Kurdistan Econ Development Org said KRG economy had structural problems Govt hired

too many workers 70% of budget went to them Said was distorting econ Politicians KDP-PUK also caused problems Said needed to grow private sector

Jun 13 Adviser to KRG’s Natural Resource Min said KRG would reach 1 mil/bar/day oil production

capacity by 2015 Natural Resource Min originally said would reach that goal by 2014 It didn’t meet either date

Jun 13 Report KRG parties based upon tribes and families Leaders got positions through ties Massoud

Barzani head of KDP Got position from father Mulla Mustafa Barzani Nephew Nechirvan Barzani KRG PM Son Masrour Barzani head of KDP intel Mansour Barzani head of KDP peshmerga Adham Sidad and Sirwan Barzanis on KDP leadership council Dilshad Barzani KDP rep to Germany Saiwan Barzani Iraq’s amb to France Hoshyar Zebari Massoud’s nephew Foreign Min Massoud’s uncle Gen Babaker Zebari army chief of staff Hoshyar’s cousin Dindar Zebari dep of KRG Office of Foreign Relations Hero Ibrahim Ahmed Pres Talabani’s wife on PUK politburo Son Qubad Talabani KRG rep to US Lahur Talabani head of KRG anti-terror force Bayz Talabani KRG Finance Min Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed Hero’s sister PUK rep to UK Jala’s brother in law Mohammed Sabir Iraq amb to China

 

Jun 14 Gorran and PUK held meeting to try to reconcile Didn’t work

Jun 14 Gov Nujafi reversed course and said that he now supported Kurdish oil deal with

            Exxon

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

Jun 14 Sadr returned from Iran said still for no confidence vote against Maliki but

            thanked him for cabinet meetings in provinces Sadr started to give into Iranian pressure

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 15 Sadrist MP said movement now not for removing Maliki anymore after pressure

            from Iran

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 15 Speaker Nujafi rejected US proposal to reconcile with PM Maliki VP Biden’s office tried to end no confidence move vs Maliki

Jun 15 PM Blair spokesman Campbell’s book published Blair wanted to deal with Iraq through UN VP

Cheney and Def Sec Rumsfeld against Rupert Murdoch lobbied both Blair and Bush to go to war with Iraq Said his news company would support them Blair supported new UN weapons inspections Had to lobby Bush to back inspections who was opposed US wanted 1^st sign of non-cooperation with inspectors to be excuse for war Blair against Nov 02 Bush was talking about going to war Blair wanted 2^nd UN resolution to OK war Said necessary for public support Bush said public against war Was tired of diplomacy Bush felt Iraq using UN to delay war Agreed to 2^nd UN resolution to back Blair but if failed he would go to war Sec State Powell told UK were members of White House that didn’t care about UK Blair blamed US for failure of 2^nd UN resolution Blair did get parliament to back war

Jun 15 Fuel shortage and technical problem knocked out Iraq’s electricity grid for 2 hrs

 

Jun 16 2 car bombs hit Shiite pilgrims heading for Kadhimiya Baghdad 32 killed

            67 injured

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jun 16 Sadr said that removing Maliki was God’s will but he was already backing off no confidence vote

due to Iranian pressure Kurdish list said their goal was still to remove Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 17 Sadr said he would not accept a 3^rd term for Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

Jun 17 MP Othman said that KDP wanted Maliki out while PUK didn’t

 

Jun 18 Report Gov Nujafi and Hadbaa made deals with Kurds in Ninewa after two

            opposed each other

Jun 18 2 suicide bombers hit Shiite funeral in Baquba killing 22

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Jun 18 Iraq ranked 9^th worst country on Failed States Index

(Musings On Iraq Criticism Of Iraq’s Score On 2012 Failed States Index)

 

Jun 19 Report Iran tried to stop no confidence vote against Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 19 PM Maliki said Exxon deal with KRG could lead to break up of Iraq Baghdad asked US for help to

stop deal Maliki’s media adv said govt would stop any KRG-Exxon oil deal that involved disputed areas

(Musings On Iraq Exxon Deal With Iraq’s Kurds Gains Powerful New Ally, Ninewa’s Governor, But Will It Backfire On Him?)

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

 

Jun 20 Sadr MP said 3^rd term for Maliki would lead to dictatorship

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Jun 20 Sadrist protest in Baghdad claimed govt cracking down on independent

            press

Jun 20 Fighting started between ISIS and pro-Naqshibandi tribes in Hawija Kirkuk

Jun 20 Report Apr 2012 Ninewa Gov Nujafi made deal with Kurds Before opposed his govt Kurds ended

boycott of provincial govt Got prominent positions Split Nujafi’s Hadbaaa list with 1 party leaving Meant Nujafi needed Kurdish support to stay in power PM Maliki tried to split Hadbaa to undermine Nujafi

Jun 20 Dep PM Shahristani said Exxon promised to stop working in KRG until Baghdad made deal with

Kurds Didn’t happen Shahristani warned France not to have any of its companies sign with KRG

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Jun 20 Insurgents bombed 7 power towers in Diyala Cut off power to Khalis in Diyala Baiji

in Salahaddin parts of Baghdad

 

Jun 21 Maliki called for Gov Nujafi to be dismissed saying he violated constitution by

            holding talks with Kurds over oil deals in disputed areas

 

Jun 22 Def Sec Panetta asked Iraq to hold Hezbollah operative Daqduq in prison Captured

            by US and turned over to Iraqis

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

Jun 22 Iraq’s national grid ran out of fuel shutting down electricity across entire country

            for 24 hrs

Jun 22 Sadr criticized Ayatollah Haeri and Iran for trying to interfere with his followers

            during no confidence move vs Maliki

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jun 22 Report KRG Health Min said medicine mostly fake being smuggled into Kurdistan Mar 7000 boxes

of bad medicine from China and India seized May 10 tons of fake medicine destroyed in Irbil Investigative committee found 90% of medicine brought into KRG done so illegally Thought govt too lenient only fining companies $100 for smuggling

 

Jun 23 Report 2012 KRG budget added 17,000 govt workers 2011 budget added 25,000

Jun 23 Report KDP and PUK agreed to no confidence vote vs PM Maliki but didn’t include Pres Talabani

Maliki countered by calling for no confidence vote vs Speaker Nujafi Sadr said withdrawing no confidence would please God

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 24 Report Dep PM Shahristani visited foreign diplomats warning them not to have their oil companies

sign deals with KRG Said any company that worked in KRG would be blacklisted

Jun 24 Sadr accused PM Maliki of backing Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and increasing its power

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 24 Sadr said Maliki govt failing Said he would support no confidence vote against PM Sadr actually

backed Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 25 Upon request of US Hezbollah operative Daqduq tried again and found innocent for lack of

evidence

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

 

Jun 28 Report Economic comm said Iran flooding Iraq with its products to get around sanctions

Jun 28 Iraq signed deal to import 25 mil sq meters of natural gas per day from Iran to fuel power plants

            for 5 yrs

Jun 28 Leading Sadrist assassinated in Basra 2^nd of 5 murders Believed to be part of tit for tat killings

between Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 28 Sadrists said they never intended for a no confidence vote against PM Maliki Joined critics of

Maliki but backed him at same time

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

 

Jun 30 Spokesman for Investors Union in KRG said investments a mess Some projects useless just started

to make money not produce anything Fake companies set up projects to steal money Lax regulations meant little done about them

Jun 30 Parliament’s integrity comm accused Electricity Min Hassan of wasting $7 bil Neglected equipment

that arrived at Basra port Left out in open where hot weather damaged it Some equipment stolen

 

Jul 1 Sadr said PM Maliki should not be questioned by parliament because would harm political system

Before Sadr was pushing to remove Maliki Now supported him

(Musings On Iraq What Does Iraq’s Sadr Want?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sadrist Back Off Attacks Upon Prime Minister Maliki For Now)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

Jul 1 Report Chevon would invest in 3^rd oil block in KRG Total bought into 3^rd bloc in KRG

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

Jul 1 Report Oil and Electricity Mins didn’t cooperate on delivery of fuel for power stations Some stations

shut down for lack of fuel

 

Jul 2 Kurdish Brotherhood list returned to Ninewa council 09 boycotted after victorious al-Hadbaa party

took all govt positions Kurds got dep governor and dep head of council 1 party left al-Hadbaa for making deal with Kurds

Jul 2 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq member killed in Najaf likely by Sadrists Part of 5 killings between two groups

during summer

Jul 2 Group of reporters judges police and politicians said KRG had to stop violations against media

Reporters intimidated harassed by security forces 359 violations in 2011 No one ever punished for violations

 

Jul 3 Parliament passed $9.3 bil supplemental budget fueled by high oil prices

Jul 3 Iranian delegation arrived in Iraq to try to improve relations between Maliki and Sadr

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Mediate Iraq’s Political Crisis, But Can They Overcome The Deep Divisions In The Country?)

Jul 3 Report June PM Maliki raided Trade Bank of Iraq claiming corruption Bank director said Maliki

wanted him to fund electricity deal with SKorean company Maliki also in political dispute with manager Govt investigation into bank never finished

Jul 3 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said Kurds would sell natural gas to Turkey in 2 yrs Didn’t

happen

Jul 3 Dep speaker from KDP said no confidence vote against PM Maliki impossible Only Kurdish coalition

and some members of Iraqiya still pushing matter

 

Jul 4 Report Maliki govt would create 40,000 new govt jobs with supplemental budget Salaries were largest

part of spending and grew at pace that couldn’t be supported by budget which went up and down with oil prices

Jul 4 Report Oil Min said KRG not meeting its quota of oil exports under budget KRG said it was using oil

for local refineries Said fuel shipments from Baghdad had been cut Oil Min denied that

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jul 4 Leighton Holdings fired sr manager for bribery case to get $733 mil in contracts with Oil Min to

build oil export facilities in Basra

Jul 4 PUK and KDP Finance and Economy ministries merged Didn’t have KRG treasury to unify funds

 

Jul 5 KRG cabinet said it would recruit 17000 new govt workers 2011 hired 25,000 new civil workers Used

as patronage for KDP-PUK Caused long term budget problems

 

Jul 6 VP Shahristani’s office said KRG could not sign any oil or gas deals without Baghdad’s

            permission

 

Jul 7 MP from Diyala said PM Maliki agreed to reinstate former army officers into Defense Min MP from

Ninewa said 1,040 fmr soldiers from Saddam era allowed back into army Response to no confidence vote

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Tries To Appease Sunni Provinces By Reinstating Saddam Era Soldiers)

Jul 7 MP on integrity comm said 80% of provincial budgets in Arab provinces stolen 30% of KRG budget

stolen

Jul 7 KRG official said it was trucking oil to Turkey It would get refined products in return KRG had

denied it for years

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

Jul 7 Parliament’s oil comm said Maliki govt’s claim to solve electricity shortages by end of year

impossible Said infrastructure too old Said even if production up transmission lines wouldn’t be able to carry added load

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

 

Jul 9 KRG announced it was trucking oil to Turkey Said it got refined products in return Dep PM

Shahristani said it was illegal

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

 

Jul 10 During visit to Irbil Pres Barzani tried to get Syria’s Kurdish National Council

            and Democratic Union Party to unite and not align with PKK

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

Jul 10 PM Maliki said fmr Saddam era officers from Ninewa Kirkuk Salahaddin Diyala Anbar could rejoin

army Response to no confidence vote

Jul 10 Sr Asaib Ahl Al-Haq member killed in Baghdad Part of assassinations between Sadrists and Asaib

Ahl Al-Haq

Jul 10 Pres Barzani accused of nepotism by opposition for naming his son Masrour head of new KRG

national security council Gave Masrour cabinet status in KRG

 

Jul 11 Shell said it would start producing natural gas in Basra by start of Aug Wanted to produce 60

mil/cub/ft/day Shell and Mitsubishi signed joint venture worth $17 bil in Nov to capture gas from Basra oil fields

Jul 11 Fadhila MP accused Electricity Min of mishandling gas powered electricity plants Weren’t

producing enough power Couldn’t handle dust storms Shut down when temps rose Were installed by US without considering Iraq didn’t have natural gas to run them Used different fuel which caused breakdowns and produce below capacity

Jul 11 Report Electricity Min started PR campaign using Catie Couric to claim power output increasing

Dep PM Shahristani claimed electricity problem would be solved by end of 2013 Wasn’t

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

 

Jul 12 Report Obama admin asked Maliki govt to hold Hezbollah operative Daquq Was under house

arrest in Green Zone US wanted charges brought against him 2 Iraqi courts found Daquq innocent Daquq was eventually released

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

 

Jul 13 Report KRG smuggling oil to Turkey KRG was getting diesel fuel in return KRG claimed it was

smuggling oil after Baghdad cut off fuel supplies KRG had been smuggling oil to Turkey since 90s

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

Jul 13 Report Iraq’s economy couldn’t grow without adequate electricity Govt only supplied 9-12 hrs/day

of electricity Sometimes 15 hr blackouts Raised costs for businesses who had to run private generators

 

Jul 14 Report Syria’s ambassador to Iraq defected Said he helped organize foreign fighters to go to Iraq

Said Syria worried about 2003 invasion Retaliated by working with Al Qaeda in Iraq Encouraged Islamists to go fight in Iraq

 

Jul 15 Iraq complained about KRG-Turkish oil deals saying it would affect relations

            between two countries

 

Jul 16 Dep PM Shahristani asked for $8.5 bil to be cut from KRG budget because it stopped oil exports

for Baghdad in Apr KRG said Baghdad owed it $1.5 bil

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Increases Pressure Upon Kurdistan For Its Oil Policy By Threatening To Cut Its Share Of The Budget)

Jul 16 Report Feb 2010 Ninewa Gov Nujafi decided to go to Kurdish area Kurds said he couldn’t US said

he could and worked out deal between 2 sides US escorted Nujafi who was met by Peshmerga Nujafi shot at US brought in tanks and flew jets overhead ISF arrested some Kurds accusing them of trying to assassinate Nujafi Kurds kidnapped some Arabs in retaliation US demanded that Kurds be tried for shooting at Nujafi KRG rejected idea Said no real of law in Iraq US negotiated deal to get Kurds released

 

Jul 17 After Iraq complained that Turkish air force was crossing border shut down air

            space to Turkish passenger flights saying it was a technical problem

Jul 17 Report Special Insp Gen for Iraq Recon Bowen said $6-$8 bil wasted in Iraq Poor record

keeping by US main reason State Dep and Pentagon often OKd contracts without checking whether costs accurate Reconstruction Management System supposed to be in charge of contracting but agencies often ignored it Contracts often changed with higher costs Agencies often skipped reviews of contracts

(Musings On Iraq review Hard Lessons, The Iraq Reconstruction Experience)

Jul 17 Report PM Maliki accused Kurds of smuggling oil at cabinet meeting Dep PM Shaways objected

Said trucking oil to Turkey legal Oil Min said oil should be controlled by Baghdad Said KRG smuggling oil to Iran and Turkey earning $8 bil Oil Min threatened to cut KRG budget by same amount Maliki said KRG’s Natural Resource Ministry would be audited

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Increases Pressure Upon Kurdistan For Its Oil Policy By Threatening To Cut Its Share Of The Budget)

Jul 17 Turkey said KRG trucking oil to it was legal Said it wouldn’t stop it even if Baghdad asked it to

Turkey’s Energy Min said it wanted more KRG trucks to come

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Tries To Punish Kurdistan For Independent Energy Policy)

Jul 17 Kurdistan Journalists Association in Irbil said it recorded 43 violations against KRG journalists in

1^st half of yr 22 attacks 7 assaults 2 cases of fines 4 death threats

 

Jul 18 Pres Barzani’s office said PM Maliki acting like an autocrat and encouraging violence

(Musings On Iraq How The No Confidence Move Against Iraq’s Premier Split The Kurdish Parties)

 

Jul 19 Chevron bought out India’s Reliance Industrials’ 80% share in Sarta and Rovi oil blocs in Irbil

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

 

Jul 20 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami questioned by KRG parliament about oil smuggling to Turkey

Said didn’t know details and cabinet had to be questioned Cabinet refused any questions Said only 5-7 trucks went to Turkey each day Was actually dozens 

 

Jul 21 ISI leader Baghdadi announced the Breaking Walls Campaign in Iraq Was his first online statement

Said it was new phase of jihad 2 goals Return to areas ISI had lost Break its men out of prisons to return them to the field Sign ISI had returned after defeat Would include 24 waves of car bombs

Jul 21 Maliki govt said it wouldn’t allow Exxon to work in KRG Said Obama admin shared concerns about

Exxon’s contract with KRG

 

Jul 22 ISI set off 7 car bombs as start of Breaking Walls Campaign in Mahmudiya Ramadi Mosul Najaf

Said it would target judges 8 would be assassinated by end of 2012

Jul 22 Protest in Basra over lack of electricity

(Musings On Iraq Third Straight Year Protests Over Electricity Break Out In Basra)

Jul 22 KRG Pres Barzani met with Kurdish Syrian National Council Barzani tried to counter PKK

influence in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

Jul 22 Iraqi Airways said 10,000 Iraqi refugees returned from Syria Were being targeted during Syrian civil

war

(Musings On Iraq How Many Refugees Are Returning From Syria, And What Will Be Their Fate In Iraq?)

 

Jul 23 ISI carried out 37 car bombs and other attacks across 20 cities as part of new

            Breaking Walls Campaign 115 killed More than 200 wounded

Jul 23 Fmr director gen national security council got 15 yrs in prison for stealing 500 mil dinars Ordered 6

armored cars and took all the money

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Jul 23 Raid on warehouse in Irbil found large amount of unlicensed medicine Most came from Syria Most

was expired Mostly sold in Ninewa

Jul 23 Govt spokesman Dabbagh said Iraq rejected Arab League resolution calling for Pres Assad to step

down

Jul 23 KRG Pres Barzani told Al Jazeera KRG had trained Syrian Kurds to fight in Syria Barzani wanted to

counter PKK in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

 

Jul 24 Iraq blacklisted Chevron from future energy deals over investing in KRG oil

(Musings On Iraq How the New Chevron Deal Affects Oil Dispute Between Iraq’s Central Government And Kurdistan)

Jul 24 Protest in Basra over lack of electricity Blocked streets Threw rocks at govt buildings Broken up by

police firing into air and arrests

(Musings On Iraq Third Straight Year Protests Over Electricity Break Out In Basra)

Jul 24 DNO signed agreement with KRG over money owed KRG owed it for oil shipped in 2009 and

            2010-11

Jul 24 Report State Dept said US trying to stop arms shipments from Iran through Iraq to Syria

 

Jul 26 Protests in Basra against lack of electricity

(Musings On Iraq Third Straight Year Protests Over Electricity Break Out In Basra)

 

Jul 27 Report 15 mayors in Baquba dist Diyala quit due to ISI threats 50 left overall since Jan 2012 8

assassinated

Jul 27 PM Maliki ordered army’s 10^th Div towards Syrian border in Ninewa controlled by Kurds

Peshmerga stopped unit Led to standoff

 

Jul 29 Report Electricity Min lost 30% of its output due to people stealing power Demand was 15,000 mw

Production was 8,000 mw KRG still had blackouts despite claim it was producing 24 hrs of electricity

 

Jul 30 Report PM Maliki took over Integrity Comm Sep head quit and Maliki named successor despite

parliament saying that it was their power All corruption files sent to PM’s office afterward Maliki fired and replaced inspector generals he wanted Jan Maliki fired 3o f them and threatened to get rid of position completely

Jul 30 US govt report Jun reconciliation adv to PM Maliki sad sahwa would be shut down in 2013 Said

wanted to close sahwa in 2011 Said 2013 budget would only pay sahwa who got govt jobs Govt claimed 70,000 sahwa had govt jobs 30,000 without

 

Jul 31 France’s Total signed contracts for two oil blocks in KRG to work with Marathon Oil Ignored warnings from Baghdad Already had contract with Baghdad for Halfaya oil field Total said KRG gave better terms than Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jul 31 Electricity Min said power problems would be solved by end of 2013 Didn’t happen

 

Aug 1 Russia’s Gazprom signed deal for 2 oil blocks in KRG Russia’s Bashneft and UK’s Premier Oil

signed deal with Oil Ministry for 1 block

Aug 1 KRG said it would restart oil exports for Baghdad to try to get a new revenue

            deal with the central govt

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Central And Regional Governments Reach Third Oil Deal, But Will It Last?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Aug 1 Baghdad blacklisted France’s Total for singing 2 oil deals with KRG

Aug 1 ISI attacked Taji prison Tried to break its members out to help rebuilding group

Aug 1 Maliki govt had highest casualty figures since Aug 2010 Reported 325 killed 697 wounded Govt

underreported casualties to claim security improved Sign that ISI was returning

 

Aug 2 Turkey’s Foreign Min Davotoglu visited Kirkuk City which Iraq’s Foreign Ministry

            called interference in Iraqi affairs

Aug 2 Report KRG said it would export oil for one month for Baghdad If didn’t pay its outstanding debts

KRG would stop Oil companies in KRG said didn’t want to export because hadn’t been paid for 2009 and 2011 exports

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Central And Regional Governments Reach Third Oil Deal, But Will It Last?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Aug 2 Report Iraqi court turned down request for US to extradite Hezbollah operative Daqduq He was

liaison between Iranian Rev Guard Hezbollah and militias

Aug 2 Report PM Maliki deployed army to northern Ninewa to try to pressure Pres Barzani to stop arming

and training Syrian Kurds Army confronted by Peshmerga

 

Aug 3 Report 1^st Batt of 4^th Iraqi Army Div mainly Kurds Deployed in Diyala Said commander corrupt

discriminated against them stole their salaries Asked KRG to transfer them to peshmerga

Aug 3 Kurdish Coalition demanded that Baghdad pay oil companies working in KRG Said would be

concession for KRG restarting oil exports for Baghdad

 

Aug 4 Tuz Kharmato govt voted to expel 1000 Arab families that moved there after 2003 Was 2^nd time

council voted on issue Blamed Arabs for high prices joblessness violence Salahaddin govt opposed vote

 

Aug 5 Dep Labor Minister said unemployment 16% Said ministry planned to reduce joblessness to zero

by 2016 Didn’t happen

Aug 5 Report Oil contracts KRG offered drew in more companies Offered more profits Natural

Resource Min Hawrami said KRG oil production could reach 1 mil/bar/day by 2014 2 mil/bar/day by 2017 Didn’t happen KRG signed 1^st oil deal with Genel Energy in 2002 Deal with DNO in 2003 Now 4 of the top 10 oil companies Exxon Chevron Total Gazprom worked in KRG Aug companies complained not paid

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Aug 6 Report Turkish Foreign Minister’s visit to Kirkuk aimed at KRG Pres Barzani’s support for Syrian

Kurds Turkey claimed many Syrian Kurds linked to PKK Foreign Minister met with Turkmen in city Maliki govt complained about visit Barzani was rival to PKK in Syria

 

Aug 7 KRG re-started oil exports for Baghdad to try to get a new revenue sharing deal with central govt

KRG stopped exports in April

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Central And Regional Governments Reach Third Oil Deal, But Will It Last?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Aug 7 Turkey’s Foreign Min Davutoglu visited Irbil and then Kirkuk 1^st Turkish

            visit to that city since 1976

Aug 7 PM Maliki gave speech to ISF Said war on terror had ended in Iraq Said were only opportunists left

Blamed foreign countries for funding terrorists

 

Aug 8 Report Central Bank of Iraq said foreign exchange companies used to launder money and smuggle

money out of Iraq Said high level politicians involved Main goal to smuggle dollars to other countries Use fake docs to buy dollars at Central Bank auctions

Aug 8 Report May 2010 Fallujah Hospital found 15% of births had defects Dec 2010 study found birth

defects in Fallujah at unprecedented numbers Fallujah blamed U.S. but not causal connection

 

Aug 10 Genel Energy CEO said KRG won oil dispute with Baghdad Said major oil companies now in KRG

Many had contracts with Oil Min Baghdad couldn’t retaliate because companies too big

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Aug 13 Report Spokesman for Dep PM Shahristani said Total had to choose between working in KRG or

southern Iraq Jul Total signed oil deal with KRG Already had deal with Oil Min for Halfaya field

 

Aug 15 Maliki said he wanted better relations with Turkey but also complained about

            Ankara’s ties to Kurdistan

Aug 15 Basra governor said provincial council created committee to turn Basra into federal region Said

needed to deal with lack of services and investment

 

Aug 16 ISI carried out attacks in 19 cities leaving over 100 dead

Aug 16 Report Exxon got drilling permits in KRG Dep PM Shahristani claimed Exxon had stopped work in

KRG Exxon said it told Maliki govt it was working in KRG

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Aug 16 Report KRG Pres Barzani appointed his son Masrour to head new Security Council Before was

head of KDP security forces Nephew Nechirvan is KRG PM Pres Talabani’s wife Hero headed PUK office Son Qubad heads Dept of Coordination and Follow Up to manage KRG ministries

 

Aug 17 VP Biden called Maliki about Iran flying military supplies to Syria over Iraqi

            airspace

 

Aug 18 Report US sanctioned Elaf Bank for helping Iran smuggle oil Iran used Iraqi banks to escape US

sanctions and get dollars US didn’t think Iraq enforcing punishments for breaking sanctions Central Bank of Iraq said Elaf could buy dollars at bank’s auctions Obama admin said it wouldn’t punish Iraq for breaking Iran sanctions

 

Aug 20 US warned that oil companies signing deals with Kurds without Baghdad’s

            approval were taking risks

Aug 20 Parliament’s oil committee said politicians pressuring Electricity Min to sign deals with Turkish

companies not capable of finishing projects

 

Aug 21 Report Maliki govt not agreed to pay oil companies in KRG 2010 Baghdad-KRG came to agreement

over KRG exporting oil Baghdad agreed to pay oil companies in KRG Dep PM Shahristani and Oil Min Luaibi not agreed to that Apr 2012 KRG stopped exports over budget dispute Aug KRG restarted exports

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Aug 23 Iraq used fake bomb detectors despite maker Jim McCormick being arrested in UK and more sales

to Iraq banned Detectors tested and found didn’t work Afterward PM Maliki called for investigation Govt spokesman Dabbagh said devices worked 50% of the time Baghdad Ops Command said detectors only prevented 19% of bombings Interior Min bought detectors for $119.5 mil from 07-08 US military objected to purchase saying they didn’t work Were bought at inflated price through middle man Iraq bought them for $37-$54,000 each when could be bought for $3,000 each Corrupt officials led to higher price

(Musings On Iraq Fake Bomb Detectors At Center Of Corruption Case At Iraq’s Interior Ministry)

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Interior Ministry Finally Deals With Fake Bomb Detectors)

Aug 23 CEO of Genel Energy said major oil companies signing deals with KRG meant that deal with

Baghdad would happen soon Didn’t happen

Aug 23 KRG PM said region had become center for human trafficking Said kids brought to KRG for

begging and sex trade

 

Aug 25 Natural Resource Min Hawrami said KRG took responsibility for all outstanding liabilities of oil

companies operating in region Said Baghdad owed companies $1.5 bil and KRG wasn’t responsible for that debt

 

Aug 26 Report Shell supposed to produce 175,000 bar/day of oil at Majnoon field in 2012 Couldn’t

because of lack of pipeline Shell asked Baghdad for waiver on reaching target Had to reach mark to start getting paid Lack of infrastructure would hinder Iraq’s oil plans

 

Aug 27 Communications Min Allawi resigned Said he had proof of corruption Said PM Maliki’s inner

circle involved Claimed up to 70% of commissions on contracts were stolen

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Aug 27 Report Analyst said that oil companies in KRG had only made modest gains Western Zagros shares

went from $1.12 to $1.35 after signed deal with KRG Signature bonuses companies had to pay KRG were going up Genel Energy paid $175 mil signing bonus to buy into oil field

 

Aug 28 Report Apr KRG stopped oil exports for Baghdad Aug restarted then threatened to stop oil exports

again by Sep Complained Baghdad not paid oil companies in KRG KRG not meeting 175,000 bar/day quota Didn’t provide receipts for costs nor submit to audit 2012 budget included $559.4 mil for oil companies in KRG Baghdad not released money

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Aug 28 Electricity Min said it would install meters to provide continuous power if prepaid Would start in

Baghdad

Aug 28 Report 3 Election Commission officials included leader convicted of graft Got 1 yr suspended

sentence Gave $130 bonuses to stop property commission in return for govt land Commission head said deal was legal and was prosecuted because of dispute with PM Maliki

 

Aug 31 Maliki met Syrian Foreign Minister at Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Iran Maliki said Syria

had right to democracy Rejected use of violence Called for countries to stop sending weapons to Syria Maliki allowed Iran to send weapons to Syria

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Syrian Policy)

 

Sep 1 MP said were no Sadrists fighting in Syria Interior Min said there were no Iraqis fighting in Syria

Both statements untrue

 

Sep 4 PUK complained that KDP was denying it positions in KRG outside of Sulaymaniya

Sep 4 Report Iraq afraid Syrian civil war would spill over into Iraq Reason why Maliki govt supported

Assad

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Syrian Policy)

Sep 4 Report Obama admin failed to get PM Maliki to stop Iran flying military supplies to Syria over Iraq

Sep 4 Report Maliki govt considered cutting money from KRG’s share of budget for not meeting oil export

            quota set up in 2012 budget

 

Sep 5 KRG integrity commission said corruption in govt contracts Mentioned Korek Telegcom headed by

Pres Barzani’s nephew Asiacell was close to PUK and had sole rights in Sulaymaniya

Sep 5 Baghdad Brigade raided nightclubs and bars in two parts of Baghdad Customers and staff beaten

Ordered by director of Office of Commander in Chief who was under PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Dawa Party Returning To Their Islamic Roots Or Just Trying To Shore Up Their Base? Attempts To Ban Alcohol, Set Public Dress Codes, And Attack Emos And Gays Raise The Question)

 

Sep 6 Report Chevron Total Gazprom signed oil deals with KRG Jul Dep PM Shahristani met with Exxon

over KRG Threatened to blacklist company that also had deal to develop West Qurna I field in Basra Iraq didn’t have any leverage over oil majors

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

 

Sep 8 Report ISI rebuilding in Diyala and Anbar Charged shops and traders taxes and protection money

 

Sep 9 Report 15 trucks of Kurdish oil trucked to Turkey each day Turkey sent diesel and kerosene in

return KRG official said trade would increase Baghdad said it was illegal oil smuggling Started Jul Turkey’s Energy Minister wanted trade to increase to 200 trucks/day

 

Sep 12 BBC reported Iraqi police carried out systemic campaign against gays Included targeted killings UN

said was anti-gay campaign in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Dawa Party Returning To Their Islamic Roots Or Just Trying To Shore Up Their Base? Attempts To Ban Alcohol, Set Public Dress Codes, And Attack Emos And Gays Raise The Question)

Sep 12 Police broke up women and human organ smuggling ring in Baghdad Was run by women Sent

women to Jordan and UAE Since 07 many ISF worked with the ring

 

Sep 13 Report Accountability and Justice Comm said 30 Ninewa judges had to be dismissed for Baathist

past They refused to give up positions Gov Nujafi said removal was sectarian Ninewa lawyers had sit in at Mosul courthouse to support judges

Sep 13 Report KRG and Baghdad came to new oil export deal Dep PM Shaways said 2 sides agreed to work

out differences Apr Kurds halted exports for Baghdad over payment dispute Baghdad wanted KRG to export 200,000 bar/day by Oct

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Central And Regional Governments Reach Third Oil Deal, But Will It Last?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Sep 14 Report PM Maliki told Syrian opposition delegation that he supported political change in Syria Said

Iraq would provide an example Claimed Iraq neutral in Syrian war Maliki supported Assad Didn’t stop militias from going ot Syria Didn’t follow intl sanctions on Syria

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Syrian Policy)

 

Sep 15 Report Fmr Communication Min Allawi said he had proof of corruption within govt Said PM Maliki

involved Said ruling elite all corrupt Claimed he confronted PM about corruption Said up to 70% commission rate charged on contracts by corrupt officials

Sep 12 Report Oil Min said it wanted to reach 6 mil/bar/day in exports by 2017 Didn’t happen Only avg 3.3

mil/bar/day in 2017

 

Sep 16 Science Report Surveyed Basra and Fallujah Found increase in birth defects Suspected metals like

lead and mercury from munitions used were cause

(Musings On Iraq New Health Study On Birth Defects In Iraq’s Basra And Fallujah)

 

Sep 18 Cabinet approved new oil export-revenue sharing deal with KRG

Sep 18 Report Shell agreed to restart oil production at Majnoon field Had to reach certain output mark to

get paid Asked Oil Min for waiver because couldn’t meet mark by end of 2012 Stopped production Jun for maintenance Shell blamed lack of infrastructure as major problem 

 

Sep 19 Report Iran shipped weapons to Syria using commercial airlines flying over Iraq US tried to get Iraq

to stop flights Maliki govt denied Iranian arms shipments Iran also trucked weapons across Iraq to Syria

 

Sep 20 Integrity Commission said ruling parties put intense pressure upon it to stop corruption

investigations Said some staff had been murdered

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Sep 20 Dep PM Mutlaq said that PM Maliki agreed to suspend Accountability and Justice Commission

charges against university professors Happened after 140 professors charged with Baathist ties by Higher Educ Min Was concession to Mutlaq after no confidence vote

 

Sep 21 Report ISI carried out 7 waves of major attacks since US military withdrawal in Dec 2011 Major

attacks in at least 10 cities in 1 day Jul 2012 new ISI head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced Destroying Walls campaign Wanted to release prisoners Return to areas it’d lost On Jul 23 attacks with 30 car bombs in 20 cities killed more than 115 Aug and Sep attacks in 19 cities with over 100 dead each time

Sep 21 Fmr Jordanian Media Min said he helped suicide bombers get into Iraq

Sep 21 Iraq and Jordan discussed building oil and gas pipelines Never happened

Sep 21 Report Shell thought about signing oil deal with KRG Inspired by Exxon and Total working there

had 2 talks with KRG in 2007 and 2011 KRG offered better terms than Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Will Shell Take The Leap Into Iraq’s Kurdistan?)

Sep 21 Report Exxon Total Chevron Gazprom faced little retaliation from Baghdad for signing deals with

KRG Baghdad still controlled pipeline to Turkey for exports Forced KRG to smuggle oil to Turkey Baghdad said Exxon wouldn’t be able to work in south Iraq if worked in KRG Exxon threatened to sue Iraqi govt

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

Sep 21 Police raided book sellers on Mutanabi St Baghdad Claimed they were breaking the law Critics

claimed Maliki govt going after social and cultural areas

Sep 21 PM Maliki went to Sulaymaniya to meet PUK Party was trying to get Maliki and Pres Barzani to

reconcile

 

Sep 22 Report VP Biden and Obama officials went over Iraq policy Biden wanted PM Maliki to get 2^nd term

Would give Allawi presidency Talabani would become Foreign Minister Believed Maliki could assure Status of Forces Agreement and keep US troops in Iraq past 2011 Dep Sec State disagreed Said Iraqi govt dysfunctional Wanted Abdul Mahdi to be PM Iran opposed Obama decided to support PM Maliki Talabani refused to give up presidency US then proposed creating Strategic Council which Allawi would head Never created Def Sec Gates wanted 16,000 US troops to stay in Iraq after 2011 withdrawal Obama wanted fewer troops Obama decided on 10,000 troops McGurk said SOFA should be put before parliament White House demanded it be approved by parliament Iraq ended up rejecting stay behind force White House tried to say US would still have influence Iraqis resented US dictating terms on troops

Sep 22 Report Human rights groups complained about police raids on Baghdad clubs Maliki’s office

claimed raids were court ordered Judiciary spokesman said no order Sep police started raids Head of Baghdad council said raids in response to complaints Report Iranian clerics complained about clubs to Maliki

Sep 22 Pres Barzani speech said PM Maliki acting like a dictator Said Maliki didn’t follow constitution

Said govt needed to be built on consensus and partnership

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki More Like Premier Nuri al-Sa’id Than Saddam? An Interview With Historian Phebe Marr)

 

Sep 23 Report Iraq wanted to create 5 mil jobs by 2013-17 with $275 mil investment law Would be mix

of public and private jobs Iraq had one of highest unemployment rates in MidEast Didn’t happen

Sep 23 Report Shell dropped out of talks to sign oil deal with KRG

(Musings On Iraq Will Shell Take The Leap Into Iraq’s Kurdistan?)

 

Sep 24 Report Dep Speaker of Parliament Tayfour of KDP accused PM Maliki of cutting Kurds in govt

and ISF Said power sharing agreement said 23% of army should by Kurdish Said was only 4%

 

Sep 25 Audit of Iraq’s economy Oil only productive part of economy Has to import almost everything

Industry underdeveloped due to war and underinvestment Farming has growth potential Suffers from lack of water Lack of infrastructure Non oil sector only 22% of GDP Economy less diverse than most oil producing countries Population growth put extreme pressure to create jobs

Sep 25 Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani went to KRG Wanted PUK-KDP to stop aiding Syrian Kurds

Suleimani also tried to moderate between Pres Barzani and PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

Sep 25 Report Turkey supported Sunni and Kurdish parties against PM Maliki Created strong economic

ties with KRG Backfired when Sunni parties broke up KRG also demanding independence upsetting Arabs Hoped backing Barzani would contain PKK Didn’t happen

 

Sep 27 ISI attacked Tikrit prison with car bombs mortars suicide bombers & released 100

            prisoners

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

 

Sep 28 Report Iraq’s schools overcrowded Education Min made situation worse May ministry paid

companies to destroy old schools Were supposed to replace them but ran out of money Diyala more than 100 schools destroyed 1 town lost 28 schools Ministry said it needs 700-800 new schools

 

Sep 30 Report KRG had 17,112 foreign domestic workers registered Were from Nepal Indonesia India

Pakistan Irbil had most with 13,596 Run by 4 companies Some brought in illegal foreign workers Some involved in prostitution and smuggling Foreign workers sent $62 mil back to their home countries Economist said would’ve been better to give jobs to Kurds who would spend money in domestic economy

Sep 30 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said Maliki govt would start paying oil companies in KRG

Sep 30 Report Iraq would randomly check Iranian flights to Syria that stop in Iraq Came after US protests

that Iran sending weapons to Syria over Iraqi airspace Iraq denied that but it was happening with support of Maliki govt

 

Oct 2 Fmr Trade Bank of Iraq head Azri and his Jordanian adviser given 15 yrs in prison in absentia for

corruption Was fired by PM Maliki to try to take over bank

Oct 2 Finance Min started paying $650 mil to oil companies in KRG Part of new oil/budget deal between

Maliki govt and KRG

Oct 2 Report Iran building natural gas pipeline to Iraq to fuel power plants Supposed to open summer

2013 Would go to Diyala and Baghdad Wanted to expand to Syria and Mediterranean That never happened

 

Oct 3 Oil Min wanted to reduce production target Was 12 mil/bar/day by 2017 Now thought of cutting

that in half to 6 mil/bar/day by 2020 Iraq doesn’t have infrastructure Had bottlenecks that makes 12 mil/bar/day impossible Iraq was producing 3.3 mil/bar/day Iraq wanted to rival Saudi Arabia as largest oil producer in world

 

Oct 4 Report Interior Min created Shiite Shabak militia in southern Ninewa Gov Nujafi said unit

unconstitutional

Oct 4 Report KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said that KRG would build independent oil pipeline to

Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Oct 4 KDP said it would not allow draft constitution to be amended by KRG parliament

 

Oct 5 Genel Energy said it might stop exporting oil from KRG because not paid Maliki govt made new

export deal with KRG and sent money to Irbil Genel Energy not paid for exports in 2009 and 2011

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Oct 7 Report When Iraq held auctions for oil fields in 2009-10 wanted max possible oil production Led to

12 mil/bar/day by 2017 Was impossible Intl Energy Agency predicted Iraq would produce 4 mil/bar/day by 2017 Iraq needed 6000 wells seismic surveys pipelines storage water injection to increase production Iraq revised down prediction to 9 mil/bar/day by 2020 Still may not be possible Signed deal for pipeline through Syria but ended with Syrian civil war

Oct 7 Report Head of Kurdistan Islamic League said KRG opposition was rudderless Nothing came of 2011

protests in Sulaymaniya Joint committee done nothing Gorran now meeting with PUK and KDP

 

Oct 8 Maliki went to Russia and signed $4.2 bil in arms deals Accused of corruption afterward

(Musings On Iraq Russian Arms Deal Follows Pattern Of Corrupt Purchases By Iraq)

Oct 8 Report After 03 US rebuilt Saddam’s General Security Service as National Intel Service Organized

and funded by CIA Ex-Gen Shahwani made head Involved in 96 coup attempt vs Saddam Shiite parties opposed to intel agency because included former regime members When Maliki became PM started undermining intel service Started arresting intel officers National Security Min said dozens of personnel killed by Iraqi parties and Iran

Oct 8 Report Iran’s Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani visited KRG to try to mediate between Pres Barzani

and PM Maliki and between PUK and Gorran

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

Oct 8 Report Jun PM Maliki agreed to ship 720,000 tons/mo of fuel oil to Syria at half price Way to        support Assad during civil war

 

Oct 9 Report Iraq and US said ISI twice as large as it was in 2011 Helped by breaking former members out

of prison Avg 140 attacks/wk up from 74 attacks/wk

Oct 9 Intl Energy Agency predicted Iraq would produce 6.1 mil/bar/day of oil by 2020 Was half of what Oil

Min predicted

 

Oct 10 Report Oil Min signed $170 mil deal with CH2M to plan water injection project to keep pressure up

in oil wells in south Dep PM Shahristani said Iraq could produce 6 mil/bar/day by 2015 and 10 mil/bar/day by 2020 Didn’t happen CH2M replaced Exxon who was originally in charge of project

 

Oct 11 Report Est 30,000-60,000 squatters in Basra 150 families added each month Some politicians

allowed squatters in return for their votes Developers complained about shanty towns holding up projects

Oct 11 Report Around 36,000 killed in PUK-KDP civil war in 90s Over 200 went missing during war

Oct were protests by relatives over missing

 

Oct 12 Protest in Basra over better services

 

Oct 14 MP announced arrest warrant issued for head of Central Bank of Iraq Shabibi and 3 other bank

officials after he refused to cooperate with Maliki over the dinar

(Musings On Iraq Controversial Case Against Central Bank Of Iraq Officials Continues)

(Musings On Iraq More On Central Bank of Iraq Scandal)

Oct 14 Report WHO released report on Fallujah Found huge amount of birth defects Found miscarriages

Toxic levels of lead and mercury 1 author thought US military ops might be cause US used white phosphorus and depleted uranium shells during 1^st Battle of Fallujah Also found high birth defects in Basra Pre-03 had 10% miscarriages 2004-06 45% miscarriages

Oct 14 Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum said produced 340 mil/cubic/ft/natural gas/day and 15,000

bar/day of liquid gas Used for local power plants

 

Oct 15 Report PM Maliki agreed to $4.2 bil arms deal with Russia Was too much for what Russia offered

Deal was corrupt

Oct 15 Report Banks impediment to economic growth in Iraq Hard to get credit Govt talked about bank

reform Done little Rules say state owned banks that dominate banking sector can only make deposits with other state banks Taxes and govt bills can only be made through state run banks

Oct 15 Integrity Comm issued warrants for Head of Central Bank of Iraq and 15 other bank officials

(Musings On Iraq Surprise Charges Against Central Bank Of Iraq Officials Raise All Kinds of Questions)

 

Oct 16 Maliki suspended Central Bank of Iraq head Shababi after he refused to stop dinar re-valuation

Appointed ally Turki head of Board of Supreme Audit as new bank head

(Musings On Iraq Surprise Charges Against Central Bank Of Iraq Officials Raise All Kinds of Questions)

(Musings On Iraq Controversial Case Against Central Bank Of Iraq Officials Continues)

(Musings On Iraq More On Central Bank of Iraq Scandal)

 

Oct 18 Report Warrant for Central Bank of Iraq chief surprise Many believed power grab by PM Maliki to

control bank Head of Board of Supreme Audit named new bank head ISCI against warrant Said Maliki could become dictator MP on integrity committee said it hadn’t investigated bank Said investigation led by State of Law and Sadrist members MP said Maliki had been trying to interfere and take over bank

(Musings On Iraq More On Central Bank of Iraq Scandal)

Oct 18 Exxon said in talks to sell share of West Qurna 1 field Wanted to focus on KRG Oil Min payments

to Exxon barley covered costs Nov 2011 signed deal with KRG

(Musings On Iraq Exxon May Drop Contract With Iraq’s Central Government To Concentrate On Kurdistan)

 

Oct 20 Electricity Min said by 2013 4 power stations would open and Iraq would be self-sufficient in

electricity Didn’t happen

Oct 20 Protest in Basra over better services

 

Oct 22 Report Diplomats believed charges against Central Bank of Iraq head attempt by PM Maliki to

control bank 2011 Supreme Court ruled bank under control of cabinet not parliament Eurasia Group analyst thought another example of Maliki centralizing power

(Musings On Iraq More On Central Bank of Iraq Scandal)

Oct 22 Iraq’s ambassador to US asked Obama admin to intervene with Exxon and stop its contract with

KRG US said it couldn’t do much

Oct 22 KRG used 2 trading company to truck around 8,000 bar/day of oil to Turkey KRG wanted to

increase exports to 12,000 bar/day by end of Oct Supported by Turkish govt Iraq said deals illegal

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Oct 23 Report Parliament’s legal committee said Inspector Generals part of corruption problems Were now

appointed by committee controlled by PM Maliki Most inspectors were now from State of Law Cabinet was looking into ending inspector generals

Oct 23 Oil Min signed $127.5 mil deal with KOGAS to build 2 natural and liquid gas pipelines from Kirkuk

to Baiji

 

Oct 24 Austria’s OMV withdrew from 2 blocks in KRG Explored for oil and gas for 5 yrs Didn’t find any

Oct 24 Report Iraq wanted to double electricity production in 2 yrs Would be fueled by natural gas imports

from Iran Also from Shell natural gas deal in Basra Didn’t happen

 

Oct 25 PM Maliki said Saddam era soldiers in northern and southern Iraq could be reinstated into the ISF

Was concession to Sunnis Defense Min Dulaimi set up committee to bring back 209 ex-officers in Ninewa More than 950 brought back in Diyala

Oct 25 Interior Min raided Central Bank of Iraq offices in Baghdad Arrested 36 staff members for

corruption Move by PM Maliki to control bank

Oct 25 Head of Shiite Endowment said didn’t want repeat of Samarra shrine bombing in Syria with Sayida

Zainab mosque outside Damascus Badr official said militias got heavy weapons to strike back if shrine attacked Said 200 fighters from Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah were protecting shrine funded by Iran Lebanon’s Hezbollah also involved Was story to justify militia support for Assad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Oct 25 Sadr said US interfering in Iraq after its withdrawal by controlling bases and Iraqi institutions Said

PM Maliki was a threat to democracy Called him an autocrat Didn’t think Pres Talabani could mediate conflict

 

Oct 27 Report Militias went to Iran and then to Syria to fight for Assad Others took tour buses to Syria Also

used buses to ships weapons to Syria Fought alongside Iranians and Lebanese Iran pushed Iraqis to recruit more for Syria in Diyala and south Many Iraqis feared Syrian war would spill over into Iraq Sadrist official in Babil said it had been recruiting fighters as well

 

Oct 30 Election Commission called for provincial elections on 4/20/13 that excluded Kirkuk and KRG

Oct 30 US govt report PM Maliki and Chief Justice Mahmoud said stories of corruption in Iraq

exaggerated Several govt officials said corruption not about individuals but institutionalized by political parties that controlled govt Parties manipulated govt contracts Created fake companies Each ruling party got a share of corruption Officials got positions through parties who were then obligated to steal for those parties Central Bank of Iraq dollar auctions used to launder money Some Inspector Generals in ministries had been eliminated Remaining ones faced evaluation by Maliki’s people

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Oct 30 State Dept got $149 mil for police training program Originally asked for $703.1 mil State

            didn’t have capacity to run program

Oct 30 US govt report Communications Min Allawi from Iraqiya resigned Said director general

was setting up his own fief within ministry at PM Maliki’s behalf Director general also wouldn’t listen to Allawi

 

Oct 31 Report Eni wasn’t as excited about Iraq’s oil as before CEO complained about bureaucracy

lack of infrastructure politics Eni invested $4-$5 bill Originally planned on $18 bill

 

Nov 1 Court gave 2nd death sentence to ex-VP Hashemi for assassination of Interior Min official

Son in law also found guilty and given 2nd death sentence for sticky bomb assassination

 

Nov 2 Report Gulf Keystone restarted oil production in KRG after 6 months due to request by KRG

 

Nov 4 Court gave ex-VP Hashemi and his son in law another death sentence Found guilty of car bombing

against Shiite pilgrims in Dec 2011 during Ashura

 

Nov 5 Report Source in Labor Min said more than 25% of grants went to fake people and officials Said

corruption increased in ministry

Nov 5 Interview with Kirkuk Gov Karim Said Kirkuk should be annexed by KRG Said some officials were

incompetent Said some avoided corruption charges because of their parties Said Kurds should’ve never trusted Article 140 to be implemented

 

Nov 6 Pres Barzani called on Democratic Union Party and Kurdish National Council to stop fighting each

other in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

Nov 6 PM Maliki’s cabinet voted to end food ration system Said would help fight corruption Didn’t

happen

 

Nov 7 Iraq kicked Turkey’s TPAO out of oil deal with won in May Was retaliation for Turkey taking in

VP Hashemi who had warrant out for him

Nov 7 Report Exxon sent letter to Oil Min that it wanted to shell its share of West Qurna 1 field Part of

withdrawal of major oil companies from Iraq

Nov 7 Report Kurdish Coalition said afraid weapons bought from Russia would be used against KRG Said

opposed Iranian style govt in Iraq State of Law MP said Pres Barzani was a threat to Iraq

 

Nov 8 US Treasury Dept designated Kataib Hezbollah a terrorist organization

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Nov 8 Report Kurdish Coalition said afraid weapons bought from Russia would be used against KRG

Said opposed Iranian style govt in Iraq State of Law MP said Pres Barzani was a threat to Iraq

 

Nov 9 Interview with Central Bank of Iraq dir Shabibi Said Maliki govt wanted to use bank’s reserve to

finance electricity projects and part of budget Bank said no because unconstitutional and violated bank’s independence Shabibi and 30 other bank officials then charged with corruption by PM Maliki Analyst said was political move by Maliki

Nov 9 Report VP Shahristani told Gazprom it had to cancel its deal with KRG otherwise couldn’t work on

Basra oil field Aug Gazprom singed for 2 blocks in KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Nov 10 Iraq canceled $4.2 bil arms deal with Russia over corruption

 

Nov 12 Govt spokesman Dabbagh claimed Russian arms deal that was cancelled for corruption was never

finalized Said Maliki govt would re-negotiate deal Said officials accused of corruption in deal had nothing to do with it

Nov 12 Oil Min Luaibi said Iraq could produce 9 mil/bar/day in oil by 2018 Had potential for 12

mil/bar/day Said would require up to $150 bil in investment and foreign oil companies would pay for it Said could reach 3.4 mil/bar/day production by start of 2013 and 3.5 mil/bar/day by end of 2013 Didn’t happen

 

Nov 13 Hezbollah’s Daqduq was released by Maliki govt Was arrested Mar 07 in Basra along with Qais

Khazali head of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Was liaison between Hezbollah Iran and militias

Nov 13 Intl Energy Agency said Iraq needed to inject 1.5 bar of water for every 1 bar of oil produced

Iraq faced water crisis Flow down Tigris and Euphrates cut by neighboring countries Common Seawater Supply Facility supposed to solve problem Was delayed

 

Nov 15 Report Vast Exploration and Niko Resources withdrew from Sulaymaniya Signed deal with KRG

in 2009 Found oil not commercially viable

Nov 15 Report KRG Labor Dept registered 5000 foreign workers in Sulaymaniya 16,000 foreign

companies paid no taxes to KRG Many employed foreign workers Many came in illegally

 

Nov 16 Report KRG used drugs banned by Health Min Fmr Health Min official said thought 18% of

medications used in KRG were fake Dep head of health committee in KRG parliament said counterfeit drugs rampant Drug importers have monopoly over business and did what they wanted with political backing Mar KRG Health Min found counterfeit drug factory in Irbil 2500 boxes of insulin sent to hospitals and pharmacies were counterfeit Mar parliament reform committee found 90% of medicine in KRG not checked 2010 400 tons of expired drugs shipped to KRG Was done by senior officials at border crossing and 2 companies Only 9% of pharmacies storehouses clinics had licenses to operate

Nov 16 Fighting between police and peshmerga in Tuz Kharmato Salahaddin 1 killed 7 wounded Happened

when police tried to arrest Kurdish businessman for oil smuggling and stopped by peshmerga

 

Nov 19 Sadrist MP accused PM Maliki of giving away land to his allies Shahristani, VP Khuzai MPs Fatlawi

and Waili

 

Nov 21 Report Oct PM Maliki went to Russia and signed arms deal Sadrists claimed deal corrupt 4 Maliki

officials allegedly got kickbacks Maliki adviser said that deal was cancelled Defense Min then said it was still on Russian media said commissions in arms deals were normal Said Iraqis might have gotten $500 mil in payoffs

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Nov 25 Report Sadrist MP said PM Maliki’s son govt spokesman Dabbagh and State of Law MP Shabandar

all involved in corrupt Russian arms deal Dabbagh was being blamed for deal He claimed he warned Maliki about troubles but was ignored

 

Nov 26 Govt spokesman Dabbagh resigned after being scapegoated for corrupt Russian arms deal

 

Nov 29 Court gave death sentences to 4 of VP Hashemi’s bodyguards Convicted of killing a Defense Min

officer and his wife in 2011

Nov 29 Parliament’s integrity comm named those involved in corrupt Russian arms deal Included Def Min

Dulaimi State of Law MP Shabandar Govt spokesman Dabbagh PM Maliki’s media adv Several ISF generals and colonels

 

Dec 2 Baghdad sent $ 1 bil to KRG as part of new deal where KRG would export oil for Baghdad

 

Dec 5 KRG said it would cut oil exports in ½ until Baghdad paid oil companies operating in region

 

Dec 6 US mediated withdrawal of federal and Kurdish forces from Tuz Kharmato and creation of local

security forces along disputed areas Agreement on security forces in disputed areas only partially implemented

 

Dec 7 Genel Energy said it would fund KRG oil pipeline to Turkey Said wanted to export natural gas to

Turkey as well

 

Dec 9 Report Natural Resource Min Hawrami said KRG wanted to export 10 bil cubic meters of natural

gas to Turkey by 2013 Dana Gas produced 10.2 mil metric cubic meters of gas per day Didn’t happen

Dec 9 KRG Finance Min official said bank employee and private contractor stole $21.4 bil in Irbil

 

Dec 10 Oil Min Luaibi said KRG exporting less than 100,000 bar/day for Baghdad which was below

its 200,000 bar/day quota Said KRG was smuggling oil to Turkey and Iran KRG said it cut exports because Baghdad wasn’t delivering money Baghdad only made 1 payment Sources said Baghdad also cut refined oil products sent to KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Dec 11 Report US didn’t want Turkey to sign oil deal with KRG Afraid of KRG independence Turkish

company talking with KRG about oil natural gas exports plus pipeline 03 Turkey against KRG independence 07 PM Erdogan changed Kurdish policy Started relations with KRG Turkey wanted to become energy hub of MIdEast and Europe

 

Dec 12 Diyala council voted to hold a referendum on turning province into a region in response to

            Maliki govt

Dec 12 Report Bureaucracy holding up oil companies expanding in KRG Delays in getting equipment and

visas Companies got inconsistent payments that didn’t cover costs because of KRG-Baghdad oil dispute KRG not creating skilled oil workers for future KRG had shortage of contractors and suppliers Natural Resource Min didn’t have capacity to deal with needs of companies

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Dec 13 Sadrists protested in Baghdad Babil Diyala Wasit Karbala against PM Maliki because he criticized

Sadr for comments about corrupt Russian arms deal

 

Dec 15 Report Turkey’s Dep Energy Min said he expected KRG and Turkey to export oil and gas to

intl market in Dec KRG did export oil to Turkey in 2013 but not gas

 

Dec 17 Pres Talabani went to hospital after a stroke Would remain president even though incapacitated

Started decline of PUK

 

Dec 18 Pres Talabani had a stroke effectively ending his political career although he would

            remain in office

 

Dec 19 Maliki ordered arrest of Finance Minister Issawi on terrorism charges Detained 150 of his bodyguards  

staff and family1 yr after having warrant issued for VP Hashemi for terrorism  Issawi fled to Speaker Nujfai’s home in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Explaining The Political Factors Behind The Increasing Violence In Iraq, An Interview With maria Fantappie Iraq Researcher At The International Crisis Group)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Dec 19 Pres Obama called Fin Min Issawi US Amb Beecroft visited Issawi US Embassy issued protest

to Iraq’s Foreign Min over warrant for Issawi

Dec 19 Protests started in Anbar Salahaddin Adhamiya in Baghdad over warrant for Fin Min Issawi

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki Targets Another Member Of The Iraqi National Movement In An Act Of Political Intimidation)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Dec 21 Protests started in Fallujah Qaim Rutba Tikrit in response to Maliki issuing arrest warrant for

Finance Min Issawi

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Dec 21 Dep PM Shahristani said KRG not meeting its export quota so Baghdad wouldn’t pay oil companies

in KRG Was supposed to export 200,000 bar/day KRG was only exporting around 5,000 bar/day

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Dec 22 Iraqiya boycotted cabinet over arrest warrant for Fin Min Issawi

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki Targets Another Member Of The Iraqi National Movement In An Act Of Political Intimidation)

Dec 22 PUK elected Kosurt Rasul acting head of party after Pres Talabani hospitalized for stroke Barham

Salah named deputy head

Dec 22 KRG halted oil exports for Baghdad claiming oil companies not paid Said Baghdad paid companies

$650 mil out of $858 mil owed Baghdad wasn’t paying KRG because wasn’t meeting export quota

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Dec 23 Univ of Sulaymaniya professor said KRG oil dependent Said officially 15% unemployment in KRG

Said were many govt workers who only got jobs to bring down unemployment numbers Were 650,000 govt workers Said half of them did nothing

Dec 23 1000s protested in Fallujah against warrant for Finance Min Issawi Called for PM Maliki to step

down

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Dec 24 Report Iraq and Jordan agreed to build pipeline to Red Sea Didn’t happen

Dec 24 Report Baghdad Dep Gov said directors and other high officials in province asked for bribes from

foreign companies for electricity contracts

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Dec 25 Iraqiya boycotted cabinet 2^nd time over arrest warrant for Fin Min Issawi

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki Targets Another Member Of The Iraqi National Movement In An Act Of Political Intimidation)

Dec 25 5 KDP members given 2 yrs in prison for burning offices of Kurdistan Islamic Union in Zakho in

2011 27 other KDP members found guilty but given no jail time

Dec 25 Iran-Iraq deal signed Iran would supply natural gas to Iraq power stations and build pipeline that

would extend to Syria Syrian part never done due to war

 

Dec 26 Fin Min Issawi addressed Ramadi protest camp condemning actions of Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki Targets Another Member Of The Iraqi National Movement In An Act Of Political Intimidation)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Dec 27 Protest in Mosul called for Iraqi forces to withdraw from city after arbitrary arrests

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Dec 27 Tribal delegation from Basra joined Ramadi protest

Dec 27 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq threatened Turkish businesses in Iraq for Ankara interfering in Iraqi affairs

Was angry at Turkish-KRG relations and Pres Erdogan’s complaints about PM Maliki

 

Dec 28 Protests spread from Fallujah and Ramadi to Diyala Ninewa and Salahaddin in response to Maliki

issuing warrant for Finance Min Issawi

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki Targets Another Member Of The Iraqi National Movement In An Act Of Political Intimidation)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Dec 29 Ninewa govt said it would not work for 3 days unless PM Maliki responded to demands of

protesters angry over warrant for Finance Min Issawi Were protests in Ninewa Kirkuk Salahaddin Diyala Anbar Baghdad

Dec 29 Confession of 1 of Finance Min Issawi’s bodyguards aired on TV Said he carried out assassinations

on orders of Issawi’s son in law and got help from VP Hashemi

 

Dec 30 Salah al-Mutlaq went to Ramadi protest site Booed and bottles thrown at him Bodyguards shot at

protesters

Dec 30 PM Maliki blamed Turkey and Syrian civil war for Sunni protests

Dec 30 PM Maliki released women prisoners arrested for terrorism as concession to protests

 

Dec 31 Protests in Samara and Mosul against PM Maliki for issuing warrant against Finance Min Issawi

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

2013

Jan 1 PM Maliki claimed power problems would end by end of year Didn’t happen

Jan 1 Sunni protests spread to Kirkuk in support of ones in Anbar Mosul Salahaddin

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Jan 1 Iraq Body Count counted 4471 deaths in 2012 Was up from 4136 in 2011 Since 2003 counted

110-121,000 deaths

 

Jan 2 Report PM Maliki went after directors of Trade Bank of Iraq and Central Bank of Iraq to

consolidate his power over independent institutions

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Jan 2 Protests in Ramadi became semi-permanent with tent city Issued list of demands including releasing

prisoners Ending executions and use of terrorism law Pass amnesty law Suspend Accountability and Justice law Balance in govt appoints for Sunnis

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Jan 2 Sadr Kirkuk Karbala Muthanna sent delegation to meet with Ramadi protests

Jan 2 Ayatollah Khamenei blamed Qatar Saudi Arabia Turkey and US for protests in Anbar

 

Jan 5 Ninewa Ops Command closed protest square in Mosul to try to stop demonstrations

Jan 5 Sadr sent delegations to Ramadi and Samarra protest sites Called for unity of Iraq and non-

sectarianism Sadr tried to take advantage of situation and make himself national leader

Jan 5 Naqshibandi leader Dhuri said he supported protests Said they needed to overthrow PM Maliki

Naqshibandi tried to co-opt protests and turn them towards insurgency

 

Jan 6 Report Interpol suspended work with Iraq Said judiciary lacked impartiality Were under influence

of political parties Made rulings unfair

 

Jan 8 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami told press KRG was trucking oil to Turkey Came after

KRG-Baghdad oil export deal failed

Jan 8 Pro-PM Maliki protests in Basra Qadisiya Karbala Muthanna Babil Wasit Chanted for

Accountability and Justice Commission Pro-Maliki TV station said Sunni protests were Baathists Response to Sunni protests that started after PM Maliki issued warrant for Finance Min Issawi 

 

Jan 9 PM Maliki claimed political parties were paying $100 for each person that showed up at Anbar

protests Army stopped people from going to Hawija Kirkuk protest site

 

Jan 11 Maliki govt said it would seize KRG oil exports and sue companies involved Baghdad said it was

only one that had authority to export oil

Jan 11 Dozen prisoners escaped from Taji prison in Baghdad including ISI members

Jan 11 Report Dec 2012 Finance Min Issawi’s bodyguards arrested Started protests in Anbar that spread

to Salahaddin Ninewa Govts in those provinces said they supported protests Jan 2013 PM Maliki began organizing pro-govt demonstrations ISF used to block some protests

 

Jan 12 Govt organized protest in Baghdad Chanted against Baathists and for PM Maliki Was to counter

Sunni protests over Maliki issuing warrant for Finance Min Issawi

 

Jan 13 Report Parliamentary comm investigated corrupt Russian arms deal Office of armed forces Defense

Min PM Maliki’s officer refused to cooperate Defense Min signed Russia deal Financing started with Trade Bank of Iraq Prices for equipment went up 9-30% from start of deal to later on Lebanese middle men involved in deal along with Russian oil company that twice met with Maliki Comm recommended Def Min Dulaimi former govt spokesman Dabbagh Pres Talabani adv Iraqi businessman and 2 Lebanese businessmen be investigated State of Law MP on security committee claimed PM Maliki realized there was corruption in deal and cancelled it Claimed Maliki started own investigation Baghdad was renegotiating deal Sadrist said State of Law MP only wanted to protect Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Jan 14 Maliki released 300 prisoners in concession to Sunni protests

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Jan 15 Sheikh al-Issawi of Albu Issa tribe and Awakening assassinated by ISI suicide bomber

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Anbar Before And After The Awakening Part VI Sheikh Aifan Issawi)

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Jan 15 Dep PM Shahristani press conference on early findings of committee formed to look into protest

demands Said innocent people had been arrested Some prisoners held after courts ordered release Some kept in prison after served sentences Said prisoner abuses happened in other countries but Maliki govt being courageous and apologizing for them Said committee released 335 prisoners

 

Jan 18 Report Parliament’s security comm said Kurds and Sunnis were marginalized within ISF 1 MP said

35,000 Sunnis had been affected Another MP said up to 500,000 Kurds and Sunnis affected

 

Jan 19 PM Maliki organized protest in Baghdad to support his govt Said Maliki should serve 3^rd term

Jan 19 Spokesman for Najaf clergy said that Maliki govt had to respond to demands of Sunni protests Also

called for govt to fight corruption and provide services Said Baghdad couldn’t ignore the people

 

Jan 20 Dep PM Shahristani announced 300 prisoners released Part of effort by PM Maliki to appease

protesters

Jan 20 Report Iraqi and Lebanese militias announced creation of new group to protect Sayida Zainab

shrine in Syria

 

Jan 23 Report Iraq tried to improve oil contracts to become more competitive Iraq often had long delays in

loading oil tankers 1 buyer said Iraq didn’t make enough concessions Basra Light oil was more expensive than Saudi oil

Jan 23 Report After 08 PM Maliki presented himself as Iraqi nationalist Tried to appeal to Sunni voters by

confronting Kurds over disputed areas Lost that when went after Finance Min Issawi Turned to more explicitly Shiite agenda

 

Jan 25 Army killed 9 protesters Wounded around 60 at checkpoint outside Fallujah protest camp Threw rocks

at checkpoint for blocking them entry Anbar protest leaders threatened to attack army in retaliation Sheikh Abu Risha demanded soldiers be arrested for shootings Gunmen retaliated by attacking another checkpoint Killed 2 soldiers

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

Jan 25 Report Exxon expanded its work in KRG by adding share of new oil field in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jan 27 Report Oil Min Luaibi told Exxon it had to choose between working in southern Iraq or KRG Said

KRG oil deals were illegal Exxon’s CEO met with PM Maliki and Pres Barzani

 

Jan 28 Report Iraqiya tried to co-opt Sunni protests for its own gain Boycotted cabinet sessions Said

wouldn’t participate in meetings until demands of protests met Some members joined protests in Ramadi Mosul Samarra

 

Jan 29 Maliki govt said it was increasing pay to sahwa to appease protesters

Jan 29 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq attacked hospital in Sadr City 10 gunmen came into hospital fired shots smashed

equipment and fought security guards Source said men came after husband refused to allow doctor to check his wife

Jan 29 Report KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami warned BP about taking deal on Kirkuk oil field BP

wanted to rehabilitate field Hawrami said any deal had to be approved by Kirkuk and KRG

Jan 29 Report DNO stock prices dropped Nov 2012 KRG cut oil exports Dec 2012 KRG stopped oil

exports for Baghdad Said Baghdad owed oil companies in KRG over $200 mil VP Shahristani said Baghdad wouldn’t pay DNO was 1^st company to drill for oil in Iraq after 2003

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jan 29 Report Iraq’s goal of 12 mil/bar/day in oil production impossible due to lack of infrastructure and

logistics

Jan 29 Agriculture declined in Iraq Sanctions hurt imports for farming 1990s agriculture was 7% of GNP

After 2003 farming production increased 90% Then farm workers left to work for govt Also drought 2008 govt doubled prices for farm products but had no effect on production Iraq lacked distribution networks for products Farming didn’t provide steady income Agriculture Min reported drop in number of farmers and areas under production Govt provides most of the inputs to farming like fertilizer and seeds Farming suffered from cheap imports 2011 govt tried to limit imports but led to skyrocketing prices and failed  

Jan 29 VP Shahristani said 2 protesters recently killed were actually ISI members

 

Jan 30 Report Exxon wanted out of its contract for West Qurna 1 field in Basra Wanted to focus on KRG

2011 signed deals for 6 blocks in KRG PM Maliki asked Exxon to drop KRG deals and focus on Basra Exxon first major oil company to sign with KRG Afterward Total Gazprom Chevron signed deals with KRG 3 of Exxon’s blocks in disputed areas

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jan 31 Human Rights Watch ISF continued to carry out arbitrary arrests and run secret prisons March 2011

Justice Min said it would close secret prison at Camp Honor Torture used there Prison never closed Before Arab League Summit Maliki govt conducted mass arrests Some were tortured ISF said was done to stop attacks before event 6 prisoners who were released said they were arrested to stop protests during summit Govt said 70% of prisons overcrowded Many held without going to trial or pre-trial review Many prisoners lacked adequate access to food and water Govt responded to protests with intimidation threats violence arrests Feb 2012 PUK security surrounded protest in Sulaymaniya and attacked crowd Feb 2012 ISF blocked protesters from reaching Tahrir Square in Baghdad Natl Communications Comm asked Interior Min to take action vs 44 foreign and Iraqi media outlets for operating illegally None were closed but opened door to them being closed in future

Jan 31 Report Syriakn Kurds looked to KRG for help KRG gave aid to Syrian Kurdish refugees Hosted

meeting of parties Trained Syrian fighters Pres Barzani pushed for creation of Supreme Kurdish Comm to align all Syrian Kurdish groups Barzani supported Kurdistan National Council that called for federalism in Syria PKK rejected idea

 

Feb 1 Maliki govt said it would create 100,000 new jobs in 2013 budget Supposed to employ mostly

college grads Dep PM Mutlaq said around 500,000 unemployed university grads Jobs would be used for patronage by ruling parties

 

Feb 2 Natural Resource Min Hawrami said KRG would build its own pipeline to Turkey without Baghdad’s

consent

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Feb 7 Report Fmr govt spokesman Dabbagh accused PM Maliki’s son of involvement in corrupt Russian

arms deal Also said Maliki’s aides involved

 

Feb 9 State of Law MP said govt would stop Sunni protests in Baghdad Said protests were a conspiracy led

by foreign countries PM Maliki’s office of commander in chief said people were manipulating demonstrations KRG enforced bill against insulting political leaders that wasn’t law 2012 50 reporters critics opposition politicians arrested 7 prosecuted for defamation

 

Feb 10 Human Rights Watch KRG carried out arbitrary arrests of journalists activists opposition members

Sued journalists who criticized KRG Arrested reporters without warrants and held without charges

Feb 10 NRT TV office bombed in Sulaymaniya after someone called station and criticized Pres Barzani

300 KDP members protested outside station and tried to storm building

 

Feb 12 Accountability and Justice Comm removed Chief Justice Mahmoud from head of Judicial Council

for Baathist ties Was hit to PM Maliki who relied on Mahmoud to make rulings to expand his power

 

Feb 14 Report KRG Speaker Bayez accused of nepotism Hired relatives as advisors which went from 20 to

41 Included his wife as his legal asst brother as dep asst Head of Kurdistan Islamic Group in parliament said none of the speaker’s advisors worked with parliament Sr official said most of the advisors never show up to work or live abroad

Feb 14 Report Flyers posted in Baghdad’s Jihad dist telling Sunnis to leave Posted by Mukhtar Army

Founded by former Kataib Hezbollah leader Said he created group to confront Sunnis that were trying to overthrow govt Said Sunnis also trying to overthrow Assad in Syria Said he got advice from Iran’s Quds Force

Feb 14 Report KRG Electricity Min said it would double production in 3 yrs Wanted to export electricity

KRG got 20-22 hrs of power/day KRG production went from 482mw in 2007 to 2700mw in 2012 KRG sent electricity to Kirkuk Ninewa Diyala Tried to install meters to control usage

 

Feb 15 Report Accountability and Justice Comm removed Supreme Court Chief Justice Midhat Was widely

known for working for Saddam Was one of many exceptions made to leading officials for Baathist ties Midhat was protected by PM Maliki Sadrists pushed for his removal

 

Feb 16 PM Maliki ordered raid on Diyala governor and Islamic Party HQ in province

 

Feb 18 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq setting up offices across Iraq Set up service programs and religious schools

Dec 2011 group said it would enter politics PM Maliki tried to use Asaib Ahl Al-Haq against Sadr Iran supported Asaib Ahl Al-Haq because Sadr was too unpredictable Group sent fighters to Syria

 

Feb 19 Osama Nujafi gave interview to al-Jazeera saying either Sunnis and Shiites were equal in

number in Iraq or there was a Sunni majority

Feb 19 Report Sheikh Abu Risha said if govt didn’t change protesters would march on Baghdad Protesters

set up permanent camp in Anbar along highway

Feb 19 Appeals court overturned dismissal of Chief Judge Medhat by Accountability and Justice Comm

 

Feb 20 Iraq signed deal to build natural gas pipeline from Iran across Iraq to Syria Didn’t happen

Feb 20 Dep PM Shahristani said 3 power stations would be opened per month and would end electricity

problems Didn’t happen

 

Feb 25 Report Oil Min Luaibi claimed Turkey did not agree to KRG’s independent oil pipeline without

Baghdad’s approval Jan KRG began independent exports to Turkey

Feb 25 Report Since 2006 $21 bil invested in KRG $12 bil gone to Irbil $6 bil to Sulaymaniya In 2011 $12 bil

invested in non-oil sector Mostly in real estate 50-60% of foreign companies in KRG Turkish

 

Feb 26 US govt report Oil exports larger % of Iraq’s exports than Kuwait Iran Saudi Arabia Qatar Iraq’s

other products uncompetitive with imports Iraq had large trade deficit in every field except oil 2004-2010 value of Iraq’s non-oil exports declined 73% Oil increased corruption Made govt independent of population and unresponsive to their demands Agriculture employed 23% of work force but less than 3% of GDP Oil and gas employed 1% of workers but 59% of GDP Industry employed 4% of workers but 2% of GDP Construction employed 11% of workers 3% of GDP More than 300,000 people entered workforce each yr and was going up State owned enterprises pushed out private companies Govt increased subsidies Economy dominated by statist laws and rules Economic laws confusing New laws strengthened state Impeded development of private sector

 

Feb 27 Wissam al-Hardan elected new head of Awakening Was move against Ahmed Abu

            Risha who supported Anbar protests Hardan aligned with PM Maliki

Feb 27 Sec Gen of Kataib Hezbollah announced Mukhtar Army in Feb Said it would help govt fight militants

Said it fired rockets at Mujahadeen e-Khalq camp Said he was allied with Hezbollah and Iran Said he followed Ayatollah Khamenei Claimed responsibility for 1200 attacks on US before it withdrew in 2011

Feb 27 Report KRG PM Barzani criticized PM Maliki’s threats against energy companies in region Said

Baghdad should be working with companies not threatening them Baghdad said KRG didn’t have right to sign independent oil deals or export oil KRG said is right under constitution Jan Oil Min Luaibi said Exxon had to choose between working with Baghdad or KRG Adv to Dep PM said if KRG signed its own deals and exported oil what would stop Basra from doing the same Said undermined central planning Also meant Baghdad would not get revenues because each province and region would keep profits Said that was unconstitutional Adv demanded KRG have all its contracts approved by Oil Min first Dispute over oil held up 2013 budget Dec 2012 KRG stopped exporting oil for Baghdad Then started trucking oil to Turkey so could keep money KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said wanted to reach 500,000 bar/day in exports by end of 2013 and 1 mil/bar/day by 2014 Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Feb 27 PM Maliki said if rebels won in Syria would be civil war in Lebanon Conflict in Jordan Sectarian

fighting in Iraq

 

Feb 28 Report Kurdish Coalition accused Maliki govt of not paying oil companies in KRG State of

Law MP said Baghdad paid KRG $1 bil for companies’ costs Said KRG hadn’t exported half the oil it promised for Baghdad

Feb 28 Member of parliament’s defense comm said Ukrainian arms deal corrupt Part of contract was for 420

armored personnel carriers (APCs) but only 100 delivered Deliveries behind schedule Said equipment was old and much of it didn’t work Deal signed in 2009 for $2.4 bil for APCs planes equipment modernization and maintenance work

 

Mar 1 Anbar Awakening used to have 40 commanders who were led by Sheikh Abu Risha 2009 split into

several groups including Anbar Salvation Council led by Sheikh Hayes Anbar Awakening Conference led by Abu Risha Fallujah Awakening led by Sheikh Issawi Abu Risha supported Anbar protests and opposed PM Maliki Some Awakening leaders opposed protests Maliki played upon splits within movement

Mar 1 Report Finance Min Issawi resigned during protest in Ramadi Said he was joining the people Dec 2012

Issawi’s bodyguards arrested by PM Maliki Started Sunni protests Maliki said didn’t accept resignation until he was investigated for corruption

Mar 1 Report ISF no longer keeping up with insurgents Abandoned US tactics No longer working with local

Sunnis Govt didn’t support sahwa anymore Mostly present on streets and carried out mass arrests Intel weak ISI was carrying out mass casualty bombings Hoped to stoke sectarian war Insurgency went through 5 periods 1^st 2003-04 fought US occupation Al Qaeda in Iraq spread Islamist ideas 2^nd 2005-06 started large ground ops like Battle of Fallujah Said it was defending Sunnis Began targeting Shiites leading to 2006 Samarra bombing 3^rd 2007-08 had to adapt to US Surge and Sunnis turning on insurgents ISI re-organized 4^th 2009-10 started mass casualty bombings and attacks on govt Assassination campaign 5^th 2011-12 used sleeper cells to attack Shiites like suicide bombers vs Shiite pilgrims ISF techniques regressed while insurgency progressed Govt tries no reconciliation or economic development to win over Sunnis

Mar 1 State Dept withdrew last advisor from police development program Spent $700 mil on program State

said it was cutting programs in Iraq Was supposed to last until 2016 State’s Inspector Gen warned that it didn’t have capacity to run program Wasted $206 mil

 

Mar 4 ISI and Al Nusra Front ambushed 48 Syrian soldiers in Anbar and executed them

Mar 4 Report Paying bribes part of Iraq Can’t get job in military or govt without paying for it Can’t get out of

prison unless pay Judges demand money to complete paperwork to release prisoners Could randomly be arrested by policeman who needed money to payback fee for getting position Critics claimed PM Maliki gave govt contracts to his allies Could use contracts against them to keep them in line or arrest them Corruption couldn’t be reformed because part of govt system 2008 US embassy said Maliki had secret orders to stop corruption cases before sent to Integrity Comm if involved high ranking officials 2011 Head of Integrity Comm Judge Ogaili found shell companies run by sr officials who gave themselves contracts Govt blocked investigation into matter Pushed Ogaili out of office Real estate in KRG used ro launder money by corrupt officials in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Mar 8 Agriculture Min resigned after police fired at protesters  in Mosul killing 1

 

Mar 9 Babil intel arrested 12 ISI members Claimed they were backed by Sheikh

Sulaiman and Sheikh Abu Risha who were leaders in Anbar protests

Mar 9 Free Iraq Intifada leader arrested Group issued ultimatum to release him or face

rebellion Hoping to turn protests to violence Free Iraq Intifada Naqshibandi front group Organized protests in Mosul, Hawija, Kirkuk and Tikrit

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Mar 9 KRG said it would export oil independently and not give revenue to Baghdad because

budget was passed and didn’t include paying oil companies working in KRG Said wouldn’t export 250,000 bar/day quota for Baghdad as a result Led to economic crisis in KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Mar 9 Report ISF surrounded Ramadi protest site Claimed terrorists were using it Police arrested protesters in

Fallujah who were carrying ISI flags Defense Min claimed it stopped ISI sending weapons and explosives to Ramadi protesters Anbar Ops Comm said no foreign journalists would be allowed into Ramadi site without permission

 

Mar 11 Anbar council voted to delay provincial elections there due to security concerns

 

Mar 12 Kurdish and most of Iraqiya ministers boycotted cabinet meeting Kurds angry over 2013 budget

Iraqiya supporting protests

(Musings On Iraq What’s To Gain From the Kurdish Alliance’s Boycott Of Iraq’s Government?)

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Alliance Agrees To Face Saving Agreement With Iraq’s Central Government To Return To Baghdad)

Mar 12 Finance Min Issawi told Ramadi protesters ISF tried to arrest him when he went to funeral in

Rutba

(Musings On Iraq Once Again Iraq’s Premier Maliki Goes After Former Finance Minister Issawi)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Mar 13 Report PM Maliki retired Dep Gov of Central Bank of Iraq Maliki had arrested him in Jan on

corruption charges Part of Maliki’s effort to control bank

(Musings On Iraq Prime Minister Maliki Completes His Clear Out Of Central Bank of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Argument For Maliki Being Iraq’s Next Strongman)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq From War To A New Authoritarianism)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Maliki with MP Said)

Mar 13 Anbar Tribal Chiefs rejected idea of turning Anbar into a region Had been pushed by some

politicians and protest leaders

 

Mar 14 5 suicide bombers and a car bomb hit Justice and Foreign Ministries, Communications

            Institute in central Baghdad 26 killed 63 wounded

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

 

Mar 15 Police stopped protesters in Baghdad praying at Abu Hanifa mosque Report ISI flags seen at

Fallujah protest site

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Mar 16 Report ISI picked up ops since US withdrawal in 2011 Iraqi officials said more fighters Benefited

from US prison closures Start of 2011 were less than 200 incidents/month Now 800 incidents/month early 2013

Mar 16 Human Rights Watch called for govt investigation into shooting protesters Mar 8 in Mosul

Soldiers opened fire after rocks thrown Then stopped ambulances from carrying wounded away Interior Min claimed there were armed men in crowd who shot at ISF Demonstrators said police opened fire on demonstrations in Mosul four other times Police also killed 9 at Fallujah protest site

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Mar 17 Chilcot Inquiry Lord Guthrie fmr chief of Defense Staff said irresponsible for UK to have gone to

war in Iraq without thinking of consequences Lord Boyce chief of Defense Staff said he tried to warn US invasion would not be seen as liberation Said PM Blair didn’t want to tell parliament or public that he was going to war Meant couldn’t make plans until very late Lord Dannat head of British army said US failed to prepare for postwar Iraq Left vacuum Air Chief Marshall Sir Burridge said UK hadn’t collected any good intel on Iraq since Gulf War Said after flying 13 yrs over Iraq in No Fly Zones should have known more Criticized Bremer for not including Iraqis in plans General Sir Jackson head of UK army in 03 said Def Sec Rumsfeld and Bremer were intellectually bankrupt

(Musings On Iraq Review The Report of the Iraq Inquiry, Executive Summary)

Mar 17 2 car bombs in Basra Killed 9 Wounded 24

Mar 17 Report Jun 09 Iraq held first auction for oil fields with Exxon Shell BP Held 4^th auction in May

2012 with no major oil companies making bids Majors have cooled on Iraq due to political conflicts bad contracts infrastructure bottlenecks Exxon Chevron Total Gazprom Neft all signed deals with KRG recently Sign of frustration with Baghdad Statoil left Iraq 2012 out of frustration

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

 

Mar 18 Kurdish MPs meet with Pres Barzani and agreed on boycotting Iraqi parliament

            over disputes with PM Maliki over oil and budget

(Musings On Iraq What’s To Gain From the Kurdish Alliance’s Boycott Of Iraq’s Government?)

 

Mar 19 Cabinet announced postponing provincial elections in Anbar and Ninewa for 6

            months because of security Sadr withdrew ministers in protest

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists End Boycott Of Iraq’s Cabinet In Another Pre-Election Ploy)

(Musings On Iraq Elections In Iraq’s Anbar and Ninewa Provinces Postponed)

Mar 19 UN report said oil revenues halting diversification of Iraq’s economy Said strengthening dinar

making exports less competitive and imports more affordable Limited job creation Oil industry set for expansion making situation worse

 

Mar 20 Sadrists ended boycott of parliament over postponement of provincial voting in

Anbar and Ninewa

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists End Boycott Of Iraq’s Cabinet In Another Pre-Election Ploy)

Mar 20 ISI took responsibility for series of attacks mostly in Shiite areas of Baghdad that killed 65

wounded more than 200

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

 

Mar 21 Sadr called cabinet decision to postpone provincial vote in Anbar unconstitutional State of Law

MP said parties were planning on stealing elections in Anbar and Ninewa Said Sadrists ministers voted on postponement

Mar 21 Sadr cleric gave Friday sermon calling on Maliki to step down

 

Mar 22 ISI took over Buhriz Diyala Set up roadblocks Took over police station Raised its flag then

withdrew

Mar 22 Sadrist cleric gave sermon calling for PM Maliki to step down Said security and economy all

suffered under Maliki

 

Mar 23 Report Obama admin didn’t seem to care about Iraq anymore Wasn’t working on abuses Hadn’t

gotten PM Maliki to stop Iranian aid for Syria crossing through Iraq Gave up on huge civilian presence after military withdrawal Salah al-Mutlaq said no one thought US had influence in Iraq anymore

Mar 23 Report Parliament’s human rights comm blocked by ISF from visiting secret prison in Green Zone

MP said no minister had ever agreed to questioning over abuses Justice Min was not dealing with issue PM Maliki govt unhelpful

 

Mar 24 Naqshibandi sent group to Ramadi protest site to try to push it towards

            violence against govt

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Mar 24 Report Sec State Kerry stopped in Baghdad Urged PM Maliki to stop Iranian arms shipments going

through Iraq to Syria Iran both flew and trucked supplies to Syria through Iraq Kerry also talked with KRG Pres Barzani not to build independent pipeline to Turkey

 

Mar 25 Committee created to come up with laws to meet demands of protesters Never

            happened

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Mar 25 Turkey signed trade deal with KRG

(Musings On Iraq review Turkey, the US and Iraq)

 

Mar 26 Cabinet said that it agreed to meet major demands of protesters dealing with

arrests, amnesty, etc Never did

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Mar 28 Iran delivered bodies of Iraqi militiamen killed fighting for it in Syria

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

 

Mar 29 Iraqiya MP from Anbar said Salah al-Mutlaq betrayed the list Made fun of him after Anbar

protesters ran him off

 

Mar 30 Report banks in Sulaymaniya facing crisis Couldn’t pay govt workers Couldn’t cash large checks

Stories that PUK leadership taking money out of banks and placing it elsewhere Part of financial crisis due to dispute with Baghdad over oil and budget

 

Apr 1 PUK said it would run independently of KDP in next KRG elections PUK said it wanted to focus

upon winning back votes from Gorran

 

Apr 2 Gunmen in army uniforms attacked 4 independent newspaper offices in Baghdad

            Mahmoud Sarkhi blamed

Apr 2 Election Commission said provincial vote in Anbar and Ninewa would be

            delayed until May

Apr 2 Sadrists said they would end cabinet boycott Started over elections in Anbar and Ninewa being

postponed

 

Apr 4 Turkey said it was willing to split payments of oil exports between Baghdad and Irbil Would mean

Turkey would handle finances for northern pipeline

Apr 4 Report Protests for over 100 days PM Maliki didn’t trust protests Said they had legitimate demands

but were terrorists amongst them State of Law MP said ISI tried to manipulate protests to get them to join insurgency Different protest sites had different ideas Some called for Anbar to become region Others against

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining The Political Factors Behind The Increasing Violence In Iraq, An Interview With maria Fantappie Iraq Researcher At The International Crisis Group)

 

Apr 5 Iran delivered bodies of Iraqi militiamen killed fighting for it in Syria

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

Apr 5 National Alliance delegation went to KRG to try to end Kurds boycott of govt over budget

(Musings On Iraq What’s To Gain From the Kurdish Alliance’s Boycott Of Iraq’s Government?)

Apr 5 PM Maliki said he was open to better ties with Turkey which US had been pushing

Apr 5 Iraq threatened legal action against Turkey for oil deals with Kurdistan

Apr 5 1^st shipment of Kurdish oil sold on international market

Apr 5 PM Maliki said he would form a majority govt and not follow sectarian quotas anymore

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

 

Apr 6 Suicide bomber attacked political rally for provincial vote in Baquba killed 22

wounded more than 50

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Apr 6 Court issued arrest warrant for Finance Min Rafi Issawi on corruption

 

Apr 7 Cabinet said it was going to amend Accountability and Justice Law to meet

            demands of protesters

Apr 7 PM Maliki said early elections should be considered to solve political stalemate

            in country

Apr 7 KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani said Maliki was violating constitution and

            consensus politics with dispute over budget

Apr 7 Report claimed soldiers in army brigade were told to vote for Maliki in elections

Apr 7 Report Chilcot Inquiry found UK intel told Blair early 02 Iraq had little WMD and Libya greater

threat Said threat came from Iraqi scientists with know how Found after PM Blair met Bush in Apr 02 decided to join Iraq war He pushed intel to find info to justify war Intel officials said Blair wanted stronger argument vs Iraq than WMD MI6 was against war Mar 02 intel report said Iraq couldn’t build a nuclear bomb with sanctions

 

Apr 8 ISI released statement that it sent operative Jalwani to Syria to create Jabhat al-

Nusra That group was no longer and would be part of new Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Apr 8 Electricity Min said it would end power problems by Oct 2013 Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Another Hollow Promise By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry, End To Power Shortages By October 2013)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Apr 9 Iran delivered bodies of Iraqi militiamen killed fighting for it in Syria

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

Apr 9 Turkey said it was ready to build a pipeline for Kurdish oil exports

Apr 9 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced ISIS after victory taking Raqqa in Syria

Apr 9 Integrity committee member said Central Bank of Iraq chief Shabibi not fired for corruption as

Maliki govt claimed Said he was removed for turning down request for money by PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Controversial Case Against Central Bank Of Iraq Officials Continues)

 

Apr 10 Gorran Islamic Union Islamic Group all said opposed to Barzani extending

            his term as president of KRG

(Musings On Iraq President Barzani Attempting To Manipulate Political System For A 3^rd Term In Iraq’s Kurdistan)

Apr 10 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Kataib Hezbollah Peace Brigades all said they were fighting in Syria

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

 

Apr 11 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri wrote ISIS leader Baghdadi about claim that Jabhat al-Nusra no longer

existed and was part of ISIS Baghdadi didn’t reply

Apr 11 Report Turkey’s PM Erdogan wanted better relations with KRG and to integrate Kurdistan into

Turkish economy Turkey supplied KRG with 70% of its imports worth $11 bil/yr Turkey was helping KRG build independent oil pipeline opposed by US and Baghdad

Apr 11 Interview with Hawija protest leader Was member of Naqshibandi Said Iraqi govt part of US

occupation Said fighting govt was last step in expelling US Naqshibandi leader Duri called on protests in Jan 2013 to push for their demands until PM Maliki’s govt fell Were ISIS members amongst some of the protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Apr 13 Sadrists in Karbala Basra Babil and Mutahidun in Mosul claimed ISF were being told to vote

            for State of Law in provincial elections

Apr 13 Report Pressure growing against KRG Health Min Rashid Expired medicines imported from

Turkey into KRG Blinded 30 patients at Irbil hospital

 

Apr 14 PM Maliki said he would expose politicians connected with terrorism if he was made

            to appear before parliament for questioning

Apr 14 PM Maliki said provincial elections would be step to forming majority govt

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

Apr 14 Were coordinated bombings in Baghdad, Babil, Dhi Qar, Salahaddin, Anbar,

            Kirkuk, Diyala and Ninewa

Apr 14 Gorran leader said he was against 3^rd term for Pres Barzani

(Musings On Iraq President Barzani Attempting To Manipulate Political System For A 3^rd Term In Iraq’s Kurdistan)

 

Apr 15 Basra Gas Company was supposed to start operation Was joint venture between Shell and

Mitsubishi to collect natural gas produced at Basra oil fields

 

Apr 16 500 protested at West Qurna 2 oil field demanding jobs and benefits from

            Lukoil that ran site

Apr 16 Dep PM Mutlaq announced that 1100 prisoners would be released as concession by PM Maliki to

protesters

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Apr 17 KRG said it was ready to export oil to Turkey directly when it finished its pipeline

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Apr 18 Dep PM Shahristani said there would be no more electricity blackouts after 2013 Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Government Failing Again To Solve Country’s Power Outages)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

Apr 18 Militia attacked café in Baghdad Killed 27

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

Apr 18 Report Dec 2012 arrest of Finance Min Issawi’s bodyguards began Sunni protests Salah al-Mutlaq

heckled by protesters in Anbar Then called PM Maliki a dictator to try to win over protests Then worked with Maliki to gain concessions Ramadi and Kirkuk open to talks with govt Samarra called for removal of Maliki ISI banners seen in Fallujah and calls for jihad

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Apr 19 Checkpoint outside Hawija protest site attacked 1 soldier killed Led to stand

off between 2 sides Hawija site was run by Naqshibandi that wanted to provoke confrontation with ISF to push protests towards violence

(Musings On Iraq Hawija The Moment Iraq’s Insurgency Was Reborn)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Apr 20 Provincial elections held in 12 of Iraq’s 18 provinces 51% voter participation rate Baghdad had

lowest voter turnout at 33% Salahaddin highest with 61% PM Maliki’s State of Law biggest winner Won 10 provinces

(Musings On Iraq 2013 Provincial Elections Look To Maintain The Current Political Deadlock In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Comparing Iraq’s Provincial Elections 2005-2013)

(Musings On Iraq Complete 2013 Iraq Provincial Elections Results)

 

Apr 21 PM Maliki blamed anti-govt protests for increase in violence in country

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Apr 21 Gunmen attacked checkpoint outside Hawija protest site 1 soldier killed Protest leader said army

arrested 114 protesters afterwards Led to clashes 1 protester killed 1 soldier Wounded 3 protesters 2 soldiers 1 policeman ISF blocking food and supplies entering protest camp

(Musings On Iraq Hawija The Moment Iraq’s Insurgency Was Reborn)

Apr 21 Meeting between MPs from Hawija and army failed to resolve dispute with protests Army

demanded those that attacked checkpoint be turned over Hawija protest spokesman said they weren’t involved in attack Site run by Naqshibandi that wanted to provoke violence and turn protesters towards insurgency

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

 

Apr 22 Tigris Ops Command stopped parliamentary delegation from visiting Hawija

            protest site after checkpoint attacked

 

Apr 23 Maliki ordered raid on Hawija protest camp run by Naqshibandi Sent Ground Forces cmdr Gen

Ghaidan Led to over 40 dead 100 wounded Violence spiked afterward Helped mark return of Iraqi insurgency Def Min denied any protest casualties Said 3 soldiers 23 insurgents killed

(Musings On Iraq Raid On Protest Site In Hawija, Iraq Leads To Armed Retaliation)

(Musings On Iraq Hawija The Moment Iraq’s Insurgency Was Reborn)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Apr 23 Hawija protest site demanded police withdraw from area Said people should fight Safavid govt

Said PM Maliki and army commanders should be tried as war criminals Called on Anbar tribes to support Hawija Blamed US for turning Baghdad into puppet of Iran

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

Apr 23 Sheikh Saadi 1 of Anbar’s protest leaders said self defense now legitimate for demonstrators after

govt attack upon Hawija

Apr 23 Mohammed Abu Risha called for protesters to arm themselves after ISF attack upon

            Hawija protest site Said Baghdad took orders from Iran

Apr 23 Sheikh Sulaiman said Anbar protests would only be happy after govt removed Said tribes should

carry weapons to defend themselves

(Musings On Iraq Why Anbar’s Sheikh Ali Hatem Sulaiman Joined Iraq’s Protest Movement)

Apr 23 Clash between protesters and ISF in Ramadi 6 soldiers killed

Apr 23 Fighting broke out between ISF and insurgents in Suleiman Beq Outside Tikrit and in south Kirkuk

Apr 23 British court found maker of fake bomb detectors McCormick guilty of 3 counts of fraud

Detectors had no power source Was originally golf ball finder with stickers on it McCormick employee said he paid millions in bribes to Iraqis at Interior Min to sell detectors Head of Interior’s explosive dept Gen Jabiri jailed for buying devices

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

 

Apr 24 Report Dawa big loser in provincial elections Number of seats declined from 2009 State of Law

did well

Apr 24 Report Iran recruiting Iraqis to fight in Syria Went to Iran for training Some joined Kataib

Hezbollah and Abu Fadhl al-Abbas Brigade associated with it

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

(Musings On Iraq Abu Fadhl Al-Abbas Brigade From Fighting In Syria To Iraq)

Apr 24 Mutahidun complained Maliki allowed militias to operate in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

Apr 24 PM Maliki speech said protests had to follow rule of law and were sectarian and threatening Said

they were criminals that threatened political process

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Apr 24 Insurgents took control of Suleiman Beq, Salahaddin after ISF attacked Hawija protest site Heavy

fighting in Mosul and Baquba 40 killed in Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Hawija The Moment Iraq’s Insurgency Was Reborn)

Apr 24 Hawija protest group announced that it was joining Naqshibandi after ISF attacked

            protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

 

Apr 25 PM Maliki gave speech calling for talks with protesters Warned new civil war would be bad for

            everyone after his attack upon Hawija protest camp increased violence

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Apr 25 Report KRG’s economy was oil dependent Non-oil exports were only 5% of KRG’s trade KRG

had huge trade deficit Economy controlled by KDP and PUK

Apr 25 Report Anbar protest leader Sheikh Saadi called on ISF to join protests against Baghdad Said they

would follow example of Syria who rose up against their ruler

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

Apr 25 Sunni mosques in Baghdad bombed

 

Apr 26 Anbar protest leaders called for a popular army to protect protest sites Fallujah site announced

formation of Pride and Dignity Army to protect demonstrators from ISF

(Musings On Iraq Hawija The Moment Iraq’s Insurgency Was Reborn)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Apr 26 5 Intelligence officers kidnapped and killed at Fallujah protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

Apr 26 ISF retook Suleiman Beq from insurgents who seized town for several days

 

Apr 27 Peshmerga said it was moving into disputed areas of Kirkuk Diyala Salahaddin

            to protect against increased violence

Apr 27 PM Maliki blamed war in Syria for rise of sectarianism and increased violence in Iraq

Apr 27 Naqshibandi claimed they were behind rise in violence after ISF attacked

            Hawija protest site

(Musings On Iraq Hawija The Moment Iraq’s Insurgency Was Reborn)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Apr 27 5 Anbar tribes said they were arming to fight ISIS in province after 5 soldiers killed at Fallujah

protest site Anbar Ops Command set 24 hr deadline to turn over killers 3 tribes left protests as a result

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Apr 28 Sheikh Abu Risha turned over 2 people said responsible for killing 5 soldiers

            at Fallujah protest site

 

Apr 29 PM Maliki and Pres Barzani agreed on 7 point program to repair relations between

            Baghdad and Irbil Only partially implemented

Apr 29 ISIS set off 2 car bombs in central Karbala 2 car bombs in Amarah 1 car bomb

            in Diwaniya

 

Apr 30 Report Islamic Army met with Kirkuk tribes to form armed group after ISF attacked Hawija

            protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Apr 30 Govt Media Commission closed 10 satellite TV channels for covering Hawija protests and govt

            attack upon it Claimed they were inciting violence

Apr 30 Report ISF claimed they were attacked by protesters at Hawija site Parliamentary investigation

found ISF came in shooting Found some shot in head execution style

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Apr 30 Sheikh Sulaiman said that protesters would go to war with govt after crackdown on

            Hawija protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

(Musings On Iraq Why Anbar’s Sheikh Ali Hatem Sulaiman Joined Iraq’s Protest Movement)

Apr 30 Insurgents attacked Wasit municipal council building

 

May 1 PM Maliki said he would take on armed protesters in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

May 1 Kurdish alliance said new deal with PM Maliki would end their boycott of cabinet

Maliki didn’t follow through Maliki-Kurd deal included dealing with disputed areas, amending budget paying peshmerga distributing revenues

(Musings On Iraq What’s To Gain From the Kurdish Alliance’s Boycott Of Iraq’s Government?)

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Alliance Agrees To Face Saving Agreement With Iraq’s Central Government To Return To Baghdad)

 

May 2 Fake bomb maker Jim McCormick got 10 yrs prison for fraud in making detectors Iraq continued to

use them 7,000 sold to Iraq for $2,500-$30,000 each Only cost $50 to make

(Musings On Iraq Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker In England Changes Nothing On The Ground in Iraq)

May 2 Parliamentary investigation said ISF used excessive force when attacked Hawija

protest site ISF refused to talk to investigators Defense Min Dulaimi reportedly said the protesters were terrorists

May 2 Report US invasion devastated Iraq’s health care system 2011 WHO found 7.8 doctors per 10,000

Only higher than Morocco and Yemen in Mideast

May 2 Report Around 4 mil govt workers Highest per capita in Mideast Study found 54% of workers

illiterate Only 6% had primary school diplomas

May 2 KDP MP claimed 2 term limit on president didn’t apply to Barzani because appointed in 2005 and

only elected once in 2009

(Musings On Iraq President Barzani Attempting To Manipulate Political System For A 3^rd Term In Iraq’s Kurdistan)

 

May 3 Police told AFP they had orders from Interior Ministry to use fake bomb

            detectors even though knew they didn’t work

(Musings On Iraq Fallout In Iraq From Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker)

May 3 Friday prayers at Fallujah protest site urged people to stay peaceful Demanded PM Maliki resign or

there might be civil war

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement And Insurgency Split About Response To Hawija Raid)

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement Splits Over Federalism)

May 3 Friday prayers at Kirkuk protest site warned that Baghdad had ignored

            their demands and could lead to civil war

May 3 Samarra and Mosul protest sites demanded either PM Maliki resign or Salahaddin

            and Ninewa would become federal regions

May 3 Report PM Maliki lost support from 2009 to 2013 elections Wanted to form majority govt 2013

won 36% of Shiite vote in 2010 he won 50%

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

 

May 4 Election Commission announced final results for provincial elections State of Law

            lost 30% of its seats from 09 vote Still won 7 of 12 provinces 51% voter turnout

(Musings On Iraq Major Winners In Iraq’s 2013 Provincial Elections)

(Musings On Iraq Complete 2013 Iraq Provincial Elections Results)

May 4 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq rally in Baghdad announced it was fighting in Syria as part of Abu al-Fadhl al-

Abbas Brigade

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Abu Fadhl Al-Abbas Brigade From Fighting In Syria To Iraq)

 

May 5 KRG said unless Baghdad paid them money owed from budget they would start exporting

            oil independently

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

May 5 Sheikh Abu Risha rejected making Anbar a region

May 5 PM Maliki claimed Iraq took care of fake bomb detectors even though still used Parliament

integrity comm said Maliki’s office and Interior Min involved in buying fake detectors Inspector General at Interior objected to purchase Fmr Interior Min Bolani was involved in deal

(Musings On Iraq Fallout In Iraq From Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker)

 

May 6 Report Politicians manipulating Central Bank of Iraq dollar auctions Political parties manipulating

banks Bought dollars then resold them to parties

 

May 7 Hakim and Sadr met in Najaf to discuss how to deal with PM Maliki Decided on

            forming alliance to take power in new provincial govts in south

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Heading To Mosul To Challenge Speaker Nujafi)

May 7 Army tried to replace Kurdish commander 16^th Bgd with Shiite Arab Told unit to leave Tuz

Khurmato Commander refused to be replaced and ordered unit to stay Def Min stopped paying and supplying unit Peshmerga gave supplies

May 7 KRG PM Barzani met with PM Maliki Promised compensation for Anfal victims Joint security in

disputed areas Redrawing provincial boundaries changed by Saddam Amend 2013 budget Form committee on revenue sharing Maliki never followed through

May 7 Report PM Maliki created committee led by Dep PM Shahristani to deal with protest demands

Promised to release 1000s of prisoners No evidence that happened MP Askari said no political will to carry out any talks or deals Blamed Syria for tensions

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

May 8 Iraqiya said PM Maliki was allowing militias to operate in country

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

May 8 Electricity Minister said power imports would end in 2014 Didn’t

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

May 9 PM Barzani said KRG was training Kurds to fight in Syrian war

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

May 9 Report Sinjar dist in Ninewa controlled by KDP Created fake Yazidi parties to draw off voters

during elections Used patronage to secure votes Apr Kurdish security arrested Yazidi MP head of Yazidi Movement for Reform and Progress that opposed KDP claims to Sinjar Peshmerga tried to divide Yazidis from Arabs

May 9 State of Law got most votes in provincial elections Lost 1/3 of its seats from 2009 Didn’t get

majority in any province ISCI came in second Sadrists third

May 9 Report Turkey wanted to become Iraq’s largest trade partner Was 2^nd in trade after Germany 70%

of Turkish exports go to KRG 1/3-1/2 of goods then sold to rest of Iraq About 1,000 Turkish companies work in KRG Dispute between PM Maliki and Turkey holding up more business

 

May 10 Report Start of May speech at Fallujah protest side demanded PM Maliki resign or there would be

civil war Speaker Nujafi warned of civil war and blamed Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement Splits Over Federalism)

 

May 11 Report Since Jan reports Iraqis fighting in Syria Mar 1^st photos released of Iraqis killed there

Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah said they were in Syria Both aided by Iran and Hezbollah

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

 

May 12 Iraqi paper got memo showing PM Maliki okayed purchase of fake bomb detectors

(Musings On Iraq Fallout In Iraq From Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker)

May 12 Sadrists Supreme Council and Fadhila agreed to form coalition in 7 new provincial

            govts in south and Baghdad

 

May 13 Arguments between Ramadi and Fallujah protest sites over which represented Anbar

            demonstrators Sheikh Saadi said talks beginning between Ramadi protest site and govt

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining The Political Factors Behind The Increasing Violence In Iraq, An Interview With maria Fantappie Iraq Researcher At The International Crisis Group)

May 13 Report 2009 elections PM Maliki’s State of Law won 50% of Shiite seats 2013 only won 33% of

those seats State of Law was larger in 2013 Sadrists also lost seats from 22% to 15% Iraqiya only won 1 seat in south

May 13 KRG signed new energy deal with Turkey Ankara would get stakes in KRG oil and gas fields

May 13 Sadr criticized Mahdi Army factions that were attacking civilians and displacing people Claimed

they were exploiting the name of the Mahdi Army for personal gain

 

May 14 Anbar protesters claimed militias were working for Maliki govt and killed an organizer in Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

 

May 15 Report Attack upon Hawija protest camp could rally insurgency It did 1st qtr 2011 358 incidents

1^st qtr 2012 539 incidents 1^st qtr 2013 804 incidents PM Maliki afraid of coup Picked cmdrs down to brigades Controlled federal court Moved away from checks and balances on his power

May 15 High Criminal Court reversed decision to drop corruption case in Russian arms deal Feb arms

deal announced Mar Iraqi delegation went to Russia Fmr govt spokesman Dabbagh said corruption in deal

(Musings On Iraq Russian Arms Deal Follows Pattern Of Corrupt Purchases By Iraq)

May 15 KRG facing labor issues Migration from rural to urban areas Large number of foreign workers

Increasing university graduates Graduates complained about lack of job opportunities Waited for govt jobs

 

May 16 Gov Nujafi of Ninewa escaped IED attack on his convoy

May 16 ISF raided Sheikh Sulaiman’s farm in Anbar leading to shootout with guards

(Musings On Iraq Rising Tensions In Iraq’s Anbar Province, Raids, Kidnapped Soldiers, Collapse of Talks Offer)

 

May 17 Spiritual leader of Ramadi protests Saadi called for talks with govt Head of Tirkit protests called

for jihad after Hawija camp attacked but then backed Saadi’s call for talks Fallujah also backed idea

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Rising Tensions In Iraq’s Anbar Province, Raids, Kidnapped Soldiers, Collapse of Talks Offer)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining The Political Factors Behind The Increasing Violence In Iraq, An Interview With maria Fantappie Iraq Researcher At The International Crisis Group)

 

May 18 Protest leaders in Mosul Anbar Salahaddin Diyala Kirkuk had meeting saying

            armed struggle or regions only options left

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement Splits Over Federalism)

May 18 Arrest warrant for Mohammed Abu Risha Ramadi protest leader led to

            gunfight with ISF in city 10 police kidnapped

(Musings On Iraq Rising Tensions In Iraq’s Anbar Province, Raids, Kidnapped Soldiers, Collapse of Talks Offer)

May 18 35 soldiers kidnapped in Anbar

 

May 19 Provincial election results finalized State of Law won 112 seats Down from 126 in

            2009

May 19 PM Maliki responded to protest movement Said provinces could become regions if

            followed constitution Maliki was actively working to undermine attempts

May 19 Sheikh Saadi spiritual leader Ramadi protests said he gave up on his initiative to

            hold talks with Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Rising Tensions In Iraq’s Anbar Province, Raids, Kidnapped Soldiers, Collapse of Talks Offer)

 

May 20 ISIS launched 11 car bombs leaving 137 dead PM Maliki was asked how fake bomb detectors

were still being used after such an event Maliki said govt committees proved detectors worked 20-50% of the time Claimed the lawsuit against the UK manufacturer was about fake detectors but Iraq had real ones

(Musings On Iraq Fallout In Iraq From Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker)

 

May 21 Sheikh Hayes threatened to tear down protest tents in Ramadi if didn’t disperse

            after attacks on ISF and kidnappings

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

May 21 KRG said it wanted to build a second independent oil pipeline to Turkey

 

May 22 Pres Barzani attacked PYD for arresting KDP affiliated group in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

May 22 ISF broke up Jabhat al-Nusra cell operating in Qaim Anbar Smuggled weapons into Syria

May 22 Report KRG was exporting around 40,000 bar/day of oil through Turkey Supposed to reach

60,000 bar/day by end of Jun Iraq sent letters warning buyers not to purchase oil Govt said it would sue companies exporting oil from KRG

 

May 23 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri said that Baghdadi was wrong for declaring ISIS without

            asking permission first

May 23 Mutahidun accused PM Maliki of supporting militias and targeting civilians

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

May 23 Sheikh Hayes said Ramadi protesters had 2 days to turn over those who killed

            5 soldiers

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

May 23 State of Law offered ISCI control of 3 southern provinces in return for control of

            Basra ISCI turned down offer

May 23 Report Oil companies wanted to revise down production targets with Oil Min Couldn’t meet goals in

contracts due to lack of infrastructure red tape etc Iraq originally said it would reach 16 mil/bar/day in production by 2020 Revised down to 9 mil/bar/day Didn’t reach that mark

May 23 Report govt would aid foreign oil company workers Some waited 2-3 months to get visa

 

May 24 Integrity Commission said it was opening investigation into buying fake bomb

            detectors Went nowhere

(Musings On Iraq Fallout In Iraq From Conviction Of Fake Bomb Detector Maker)

May 24 Clash at Fallujah protest site between those for and against turning Anbar

            into federal region Imam at Mosul protest site argued for making Ninewa federal region

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Protest Movement Splits Over Federalism)

May 24 Sadrist killed fighting in Syria had funeral attended by movement members         

            Showed Sadr’s participation in Syria war

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

May 24 Report Pres Barzani pushing for referendum on KRG constitution without revisions Said

parliament didn’t have right to change document

 

May 25 Dep PM Mutlaq accused PM Maliki of backing militias with government money Mutahidun said

militias growing and govt doing nothing Said were working for Iran

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

May 25 Report Baghdad said it would take legal action against KRG for oil exports to Turkey Dep PM

Shahristani said illegal for KRG to export oil without turning over revenue to Baghdad Jan KRG began exports to Turkey Iraq sent letters to companies telling them not to buy KRG oil Turkey in talks to build 2^nd pipeline to KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

May 25 Gorran MP said if Pres Barzani nominated for 3^rd term would be end of democracy in KRG Said

wanted term limit to prevent dictatorship

(Musings On Iraq President Barzani Attempting To Manipulate Political System For A 3^rd Term In Iraq’s Kurdistan)

May 25 Pres Barzani asked all Kurdish parties to give suggestions on KRG constitution before said would

be no amendments

 

May 26 Allawi said that militias were increasing violence Iraqiya MP from Anbar said militias were

operating with backing of govt Were kidnapping people and setting up fake checkpoints

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

May 26 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq denied that it ran fake checkpoints in Baghdad and that it was killing people

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

May 27 13 ISIS car bombs in Baghdad killed 36 wounded 147

May 27 Sadr gave Maliki 24 hrs to have ISF clear Asaib Ahl Al-Haq from streets of Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

May 27 Parliament’s integrity comm said political parties couldn’t fight corruption because they were

responsible for it

(Musings On Iraq interview with Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen on Iraq’s fight with corruption) 

(Musings On Iraq interview with former anti-corruption official Vincent Foulk)

May 27 Report MPs on finance comm said 4 officials from Central Bank of Iraq being held without

warrants Said director arrested by PM Maliki for political reasons

 

May 30 Sadrists said replacing Maliki only solution to political crisis in Iraq

May 30 3 Reports militias killing civilians kidnapping people manning checkpoints with

ISF in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Rumors Spread Of Militias At Work In Iraq)

May 30 Anbar governor escaped car bombing in Ramadi

 

May 31 Fight broke out amongst protesters in Fallujah between those for and against

            Anbar becoming federal region Federalism was to protest Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining The Political Factors Behind The Increasing Violence In Iraq, An Interview With maria Fantappie Iraq Researcher At The International Crisis Group)

 

Jun 1 Kurdish parliament extended Pres Barzani’s term for 2 years

Jun 1 Defense Ministry claimed it broke up ISIS cell working on chemical weapons

Jun 1 Salahaddin governor escaped mortar fire on his home north of Tikrit

Jun 1 Ninewa Governor Nujafi escaped 2^nd IED on his convoy west of Mosul

Jun 1 Sheikh Sulaiman said Anbar governor’s committee to negotiate with Baghdad did

            not represent protest movement

Jun 1 Sheikh Ubaidi of Albu Obeid tribe said Anbar protesters supported talks with

            Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Jun 2 Report Sadr got into argument with Hezbollah’s Nasrallah over backing Assad

            in Syria

Jun 2 Sadr accused Asaib Ahl Al-Haq of trying to assassinate leader in his movement in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Jun 3 Dep PM Shahristani repeated claim Iraq’s electricity crisis would be solved by end of year Didn’t

happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

Jun 3 Protests over lack of electricity started in Nasiriyah

(Musings On Iraq Protests Break Out Again In Iraq Over Lack Of Electricity)

Jun 3 Kirkuk governor ordered all the displaced Arabs in province fleeing violence

            to leave Said would expel Arab families that moved to Kirkuk last 10 yrs

 

Jun 4 Sadr-Hakim alliance announced Would cooperate on provincial councils and run together in 2014

parliamentary election

 

Jun 5 Mass graves found in Irbil and Sulaymaniya with victims of Saddam

Jun 5 Anbar protest movement told Anbar Governor Fahadawi he should not hold talks with

            Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Understanding Iraq’s Protest Movements, An Interview With Kirk Sowell, Editor of Inside Iraqi Politics)

Jun 5 Def Min tried to replace 16^th Bgd commander a Kurd with a Shiite Arab and commander

refused to give up command Def Min attempted to force 16^th Bgd to leave Tuz Kharmato after commander refused to be replaced Ministry backed down

 

Jun 6 Mass grave found in Diwaniya with victims of Saddam

Jun 6 After govt sponsored meeting sheikhs in Anbar and Ninewa said they would fight ISIS

Jun 6 Baghdad asked Kurds to withdraw Peshmerga from Tuz Kharmato and Suleiman Beq

            Kurds said no

Jun 6 VP Hashemi said he supported Sunni region in Iraq

Jun 6 Report KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami issued report saying KRG would produce 1 mil/bar/day

in oil by 2015 2 mil/bar by 2019 Didn’t happen

 

Jun 8 7^th day of protests in Nasiriya over lack of electricity

 

Jun 9 Shoot out between Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Sadrists in Kadhimiya, Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 9 PM Maliki visited Irbil to try to repair relations with Barzani after no confidence vote Afterward

joint committees announced to deal with disputed areas budget oil Nothing came of them

Jun 9 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri said that merger between ISIS and Al Nusra Front in Syria was over Said

Baghdadi and Jalwani had to reconcile Said Baghdadi would be in charge of Iraq and Jalwani in charge of Syria

 

Jun 10 5 car bombs in Mosul area

Jun 10 Maliki visited Irbil for first time in 2 yrs to try to resolve disputes with Kurds

Jun 10 Report Army’s 16^th Bgd ½ Arab ½ Kurd Kurdish soldiers stopped taking orders KRG said it would

take Kurdish soldiers and incorporate them into peshmerga and take control of area in Tuz Kharmato Salahaddin they were stationed in US tried to mediate

Jun 10 Report Militias more open about fighting in Syria Funerals all the time for men killed in Syria Asaib

Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah 2 main groups in Syria Some militiamen sent to Iran for training by Quds Force Others sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon Said they were in Syria to protect Shiite shrines but deployed throughout country

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

 

Jun 11 Sadrist rally in Kadhimiya Baghdad led to shootouts with Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in

            northern and eastern Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Jun 12 Charge of Knights of the Tigris anti-insurgent op started in Muqtadiya Abu Saida

            Hamrin Jalawla in Diyala

Jun 12 Electricity Min said reached highest daily production in yrs Claimed it was providing 15-24 hrs of

power/day It wasn’t

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jun 13 Report KRG wanted to invest in industry railways dams water treatment plants KRG Planning Min

said needed $1.1 bil by 2020 Lacked infrastructure modern banking set regulations for business trained workforce to develop

Jun 13 Report PM Maliki’s oil advisor fmr Oil Min Ghabban said Iraq wanted to increase oil production

to 4.5 mil/bar/day by end of 2014 Iraq’s Integrated National Energy Strategy called for developing infrastructure diversifying economy creating jobs improving living standards Didn’t meet any of its goals

Jun 13 Report Dec 04 Austrian-Kurdish scholar given 30 yrs for criticizing Barzani family 2 journalists

shot for writing about KDP corruption Pres Barzani’s wealth est at $2 bil 2012 his son Masrour reportedly lost $3.2 mil gambling in Dubai casino Bought $10 mil home in Virginia

 

Jun 14 Report Sunni protests shrank after PM Maliki attacked Hawija site Less Facebook posts about

protests More about insurgent attacks Spokesman for Ramadi protests said supported Syrian rebels Ansar al-Islam claimed attacks on Internet again More attacks by Naqshibandi

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Jun 14 Report Electricity Min produced 10,000 megawatts Wanted to reach 11,000 megawatts Demand

was 14,200 megawatts 1600 megawatts lost each day due to fuel shortages maintenance Contradicted claims by Dep PM Shahristani that power crisis would be over end of 2013

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

Jun 14 Report PM Maliki backed Assad in Syria because afraid Islamists would come to power in

Damascus and threaten Iraq Accused Saudi Arabia Qatar Turkey of backing Syrian rebels and Iraqi insurgents Publicly Maliki called for negotiations in Syria Privately backed Iran supporting Assad Allowed Syria to buy dollars at Central Bank of Iraq auctions to get around sanctions Sold discounted fuel to Syria Allowed militias to fight in Syria

 

Jun 15 ISIS’ Baghdadi said he would not follow Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri’s decision to break

with Al-Nusra Front in Syria

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 15 New Baghdad govt announced State of Law shut out of major positions by            

            Sadrists Supreme Council Mutahidun State of Law won governorship of Babil

 

Jun 16 Security op in Anbar to prepare for elections criticized for arbitrary arrests and

            raids

Jun 16 Car bombs in Najaf and Wasit, IED in Basra

Jun 16 KDP and PUK agreed to delay KRG presidential elections supposed to happen Sep

2013 until issues of Barzani’s term resolved Led to water bottles being thrown and fist fight between Gorran and PUK MPs

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurdish President Delays Elections To Stay In Office two More Years)

Jun 16 Sadr-ISCI alliance won governor and head of council in new Wasit govt

Jun 16 State of Law-Solidarity alliance won governor and head of council in Dhi Qar

 

Jun 17 Kataib Hezbollah attacked Mujahedeen e-Khalq camp with rockets

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Jun 17 Badr said one of its men died fighting in Syria before its presence officially announced

(Musings On Iraq The Increasing Flow Of Iraqi Fighters To Syria, An Interview With University Of Maryland’s Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

Jun 17 Exxon signed 3^rd contract with KRG to explore for oil in Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 17 Report 2/3 of army brigade in Salahaddin joined Peshmerga Apr Cmdr of brigade refused order

from Tigris Ops Command to secure Sulaiman Beq Cmdr told TV he wanted to join Peshmerga Baghdad ordered brigade to move or not be paid Peshmerga Min started paying brigade

 

Jun 18 Fmr Dep Gov of Central Bank of Iraq blamed political parties for problems with bank Said they had

no idea what bank did or how to run it Wasted money by putting their loyalists in bank Anti-money laundering unit didn’t do its job Governor of bank arrested for wasting public funds MPs criticized bank for selling too many dollars at auctions and bank officials charged with crimes for doing that

 

Jun 19 ISIS’ spokesman Adnani released tape criticizing Zawahiri admonishing group for declaring itself

ISIS and expanding into Syria

Jun 19 Iraqi army claimed it was responsible for split between ISIS and Al Nusra in

            Syria because it controlled Iraq-Syria border

Jun 19 Iraqiya Diyala-Sadr list formed new govt in Diyala shutting out State of Law State of Law held

protests against new govt in Diyala Militias blocked roads around Baquba

Jun 19 Maliki govt said it wanted to reach 4.5 mil/bar/day in oil production by end of 2014 Didn’t

happen

Jun 19 Report France’s Total expanded investment in KRG Bought 80% stake in Bar Bahar field in

Dohuk Already had 35% stake in Harir and Safen fields in Irbil

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 19 Report More militias going to fight in Syria More open funerals Abu Zeinab former Mahdi Army

cmdr hosting fighters going to Syria at his home in Baghdad Up to 50 fighters flown to Syria each week Foreign Min Zebari said stories are exaggerated Privately politicians officials and militiamen said Maliki govt explicitly support fighters going to Syria Mahdi Army Badr Asaib Ahl Al-Haq all fighting in Syria

 

Jun 20 Chevron signed new exploration deal with KRG for work in Irbil Gazprom met with Pres Barzani

to discuss oil deals in KRG despite warnings from Oil Min

(Musings On Iraq The State Of The Kurdish Regional Government In Iraq, An Interview With National Defense Univ’s Dr Denise Natali)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 20 Dep PM Shahristani claimed Iraq’s electricity problems would be solved by end of year Didn’t

happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

Jun 20 Election Comm said voter turnout only 35% in Ninewa and 37% in Anbar in

            delayed provincial elections

Jun 20 Report ISI growing in Mosul Uses it to operate in Syria Iraqi official said it was raising $1 mil/mo

from crime in Mosul Ansar al-Islam and Naqshibandi also operating in Ninewa Politicians said ISI exploiting govt repression of protests

(Musings On Iraq Analyzing The Finances Of Al Qaeda In Iraq Interview With RAND’s Patrick Johnson)

Jun 20 Report Russia received 1^st payment from Iraq in $4 bil arms deal that included 30 Mi-28 attack

helicopters 50 SA-22 mobile anti-aircraft systems Deal was corrupt

(Musings On Iraq Russian Arms Deal Follows Pattern Of Corrupt Purchases By Iraq)

Jun 20 Report BP Lukoil Eni and Iraq agreed to reduce production target for Rumaila oil field Shell and

Exxon also want reductions Meant Iraq would not reach its production target of 6.5 mil/bar/day by 2014

 

Jun 21 Transportation Minister and Badr head Amiri said Iraq’s Shiites would fight ISIS in Syria if

shrines were attacked Said Badr was thinking about fighting in Syria Was already there

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

Jun 21 ISF arrested head of protests in Kirkuk

 

Jun 22 ISF launched operation in Rawa, Anbar

Jun 22 Anbar governor claimed Iraqi Islamic Party cheated in provincial elections

            paying off voters Governor came in 2^nd

Jun 22 Mar 2012-Mar 2013 $6.35 bil in trade between Iran and Iraq Iran accounted for 98% of trade Iraq

only exported $84 mil to Iran

 

Jun 23 Parliament amended 2008 Provincial Powers Law to decentralize authority but not implemented

            Was changed to appease protests

Jun 23 Report Interior Min officials in Najaf Karbala Diwaniya Muthanna Dhi Qar Babil Basra handed out

pistols and money to sheikhs for Dawa in return for votes

 

Jun 24 Report Disagreements within PUK High officials complained Pres Talabani controlled everything

Barham Salah threatened to resign with 4 others if reforms not started

 

Jun 26 Ninewa Gov Nujafi escaped another assassination attempt Also assassination attempt on

Salahaddin governor

 

Jun 27 Report Liwa Abu Fadhl al-Abbas Brigade in Damascus had 800-2000 Iraqi fighters from Asaib Ahl

Al-Haq Kataib Hezbollah Shuhada Brigade Badr and Sadr might also be sending fighters Asaib Ahl Al-haq and Kataib Hezbollah had been sending fighters to Syria since start of civil war in 2011

(Musings On Iraq Abu Fadhl Al-Abbas Brigade From Fighting In Syria To Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

 

Jun 28 Report KRG moving ahead with independent oil pipeline to Turkey Said would allow KRG to be

paid directly Claimed it would share profits with Baghdad Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 28 Report Oil Min said it would earn $500 bil from natural gas by 2023 Govt planned on investing $40

bil into project Around 1000 cubic ft of gas burned a day costing around $7.3 bil/yr Project only partially completed

 

Jun 29 Report KRG 5 yr agricultural plan started in 09 failed Supposed to make KRG self-sufficient in

crops Fmr Agricultural Min said unqualified officials put in charge of planning Cabinet adv said KRG hadn’t funded program KRG remained oil dependent

 

Jun 30 KRG parliament voted to postpone presidential elections so Pres Barzani could stay in office for 2

more years Led to fights in parliament between PUK and Gorran MPs Gorran called Barzani a dictator

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Kurdish President Delays Elections To Stay In Office two More Years)

 

Jul 1 ISIS began Soldiers’ Harvest campaign

Jul 1 Adv to PM Maliki said electricity problems wouldn’t be solved until 2015 In Jan Maliki said would

be fixed by end of 2013

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jul 2 PM Maliki met with CEO of Gazprom Asked it stop work in KRG It didn’t

Jul 2 Report KDP and PUK agreed to postpone presidential election until Aug Pres Barzani could only

serve 2 terms Barzani couldn’t amend law and couldn’t get constitution passed to run for 3^rd term Got election delayed instead

Jul 2 PUK politburo said it only agreed to extend Barzani’s term if he didn’t nominate himself again

 

Jul 4 State of Law wanted to change amendments to Provincial Powers Law made in Jun Maliki pushed

amendment to appease protests Then tried to block it from being implemented It never was

Jul 4 Report Kurdish soldiers deserted 16^th Bde when sent to Tuz Kharmato Included 12 officers Tigris Ops

Command issued warrants for 200 Kurdish soldiers from 2 brigades in Diyala and Kirkuk who refused to be sent to Basra Deserted and went to KRG

Jul 4 Police bought bomb sniffing dogs but didn’t know how to use them Iraq needed 4000 dogs just to

cover checkpoints in Baghdad MP warned that deals could be full of corruption like buying fake bomb detectors Govt bought 20 dogs that were not trained to detect bombs

(Musings On Iraq Question Of Whether Iraq Will Ever Stop Using Fake Bomb Detectors And Start Using Dogs Instead)

Jul 4 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq burned Sadrist shops in Baghdad PM Maliki blamed He used Asaib Ahl Al-Haq vs

Sadr

Jul 4 Report 5 top leaders in PUK pushing for leadership change since Pres Talabani out so long from

illness Included Barham Salah Wanted to change relationship with KDP Wanted to be able to control funds to set up their own patronage networks Warned that KDP gaining over PUK

 

Jul 5 Report Industry declined in Iraq since 03 due to looting cheap imports govt neglect VP of Iraqi

Federation of Industries said 90% of industries closed Govt wasn’t providing enough loans Businesses relied upon labor rather than technology Privately owned industry only 20% Rest state owned

Jul 5 Samarra protest site bombed Militia blamed

 

Jul 6 Electricity Min Aftan opened new powerplant in Wasit Said electricity shortages would be solved by

end of 2013 Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jul 7 Pres Barzani visited Baghdad to try to resolve problems with Maliki Said they were brothers

Jul 7 South Korean energy CEO investigated for allegedly embezzling $30 mil Got money from Nokan

Group owned by PUK Supposedly got money to build power station in KRG in 2007 Also accused of paying KRG Health Min $22 mil after failing to build a hospital in Sulaymaniya

Jul 7 Iraq made new agreement to increase electricity imports from Iran Electricity Min said imports from

Iran would end during the summer Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jul 8 Report Awakening said insurgents moving from western desert into cities of Anbar Attacking

Awakening members

 

Jul 10 MP on security comm said intelligence officers were arresting contractors investors businessmen for

bribes

Jul 10 MP on energy comm warned of massive anger in Basra if power problems not solved

(Musings On Iraq Protests Break Out Again In Iraq Over Lack Of Electricity)

 

Jul 11 TV aired interview with Kataib Hezbollah’s Batat who said his Mukhtar Army carrying out attacks

in Baghdad TV staff arrested Batat formed Mukhtar Army in Feb to fight ISI and Baathists who he said worked for US and Zionists Warrant was out for Batat but nothing happened to him

 

Jul 13 Dep PM Shahristani’s motorcade hit by rocks in Sadr City for his promises about ending power

shortages Guards fired into air to break up crowd

Jul 13 Protests in 3 cities in Basra over power shortages

(Musings On Iraq Protests Break Out Again In Iraq Over Lack Of Electricity)

Jul 13 Badr said on Facebook it sent 1500 fighters to Syria

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

Jul 13 Foreign Min Zebari said Iraq was against Iranian arms shipments through country to Syria Said govt

couldn’t stop it

 

Jul 14 Tribes in Basra threatened large protests over lack of electricity Basra governor claimed corruption

the problem Said he supported protests Adv to cabinet said electricity problem would be solved by start of 2015 Before govt said problem would be solved by end of 2013

(Musings On Iraq Protests Break Out Again In Iraq Over Lack Of Electricity)

 

Jul 15 Report MP on integrity committee said PM Maliki pushing another arms deal with Russia after last

one was corrupt Oct 2012 Iraq signed $4.2 bil weapons deal with Russia MPs found 10% of money went to kickbacks MPs said they found evidence of corruption in new deal

(Musings On Iraq Russian Arms Deal Follows Pattern Of Corrupt Purchases By Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen on Iraq’s fight with corruption) 

(Musings On Iraq interview with former anti-corruption official Vincent Foulk)

Jul 15 Report Since 06 only 21% of projects in KRG finished by end of 2012 Of 244 projects only 52

finished US said KRG suffered same problems as rest of Iraq that deterred investment Corruption red tape inefficiency

Jul 15 Eni agreed to lower production target for Zubayr field in Basra Originally was 1.2 mil/bar/day

Agreed to 850,000 bar/day by 2035 Was due to lack of infrastructure

Jul 15 Electricity Min repeated claim that power shortages would end by 2013 Blamed Oil Min for not

delivering fuel for drop in power supply Adviser to cabinet said power problems wouldn’t be ended until 2015 Neither happened

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jul 16 MP on integrity comm said fire at Industry Min was to cover up corruption files

Jul 16 Report ISI able to rebuild itself After US withdrawal in 2011 prisoners released some who rejoined

insurgency ISF lacks intel to find networks ISI benefited from war in Syria Some Sunnis backed ISI because angry with govt ISF using mass arrests raids clear and leave tactics like US did before Surge that are ineffective

 

Jul 17 State of Law MP said Dep PM Shahristani and Electricity Min Aftan were responsible for power

crisis Said they were responsible for corrupt contracts

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jul 20 Parliament’s integrity comm said up to $130 bil had been smuggled out of Iraq since 2003

Jul 20 Report Energy adv to PM Maliki Ghabban criticized Dep PM Shahristani Said his numbers and

predictions on oil were exaggerated Said oil production predictions based upon deals signed with energy companies not global demand and potential of Iraqi industry

Jul 20 Report Iraqi militias in Syria said they were just in Damascus to protect Shiite shrine Were operating

throughout Syria Started changing message to supporting Assad would ensure shrines protected

 

Jul 21 ISI attacked Abu Ghraib and Taji prisons Freed 500 prisoners from Abu Ghraib Included War Min

Bijlawi and other leaders End of Breaking Walls Campaign

Jul 21 Parliament’s integrity comm said Electricity Oil Interior Defense ministries most corrupt Interior and

Defense got large budgets which led to most corruption Russian Ukrainian Serbian Canadian arms deals all suspected of corruption Said courts open to political pressure to block cases and why judges didn’t deal with corruption Committee found corruption cases all the time and nothing happened UN said corruption increasing Said 60% of govt workers took bribes

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Jul 21 Oil Min sent letter to Shell criticizing it for falling behind in development of Majnoon field Came

during drop in oil exports Claimed delays cost 44 mil/bar in production Was due to lack of infrastructure and red tape

Jul 21 Iraq signed deal to import natural gas from Iran to fuel power plants for $3.7 bil/yr

Jul 21 Report Sadr sent message that Mahdi Army needed to remain ready Warned again about splits in

movement Part of another attempt to re-organize followers

Jul 21 Report Kataib Hezbollah commander went on TV and said he’d been carrying out attacks in

Baghdad Included attack upon MEK Also said he bombed Kuwait port TV staff arrested by ISF afterward Feb commander said he was forming Mukhtar Army to fight ISI and Baathists Had warrant out for him but not enforced Continued public appearances

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Jul 21 Badr officially announced its first casualty in Syria had around 15000 men in Syria

Jul 21 After series of bombings day before Sadr said PM Maliki should resign

Jul 21 Human Rights Min blamed political parties behind closures and attacks upon cafes in Baghdad Said

unconstitutional and human rights violated Mostly done by Sadrists and State of Law

 

Jul 22 ISI issued paper arguing that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was fit to be the next caliph

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 22 Report Kurdish MP said Maliki govt pushing ahead with Russian arms deal but for less money Said

middlemen were taking up to 30% of the money

(Musings On Iraq Russian Arms Deal Follows Pattern Of Corrupt Purchases By Iraq)

 

Jul 23 PM Maliki said power problems wouldn’t end in 2013 For most of yr Maliki’s govt said electricity

shortages would be over by end of year

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

 

Jul 24 Electricity Min Aftan repeated claim that power problems would be solved by end of 2013 after PM

Maliki said they wouldn’t day before Wasn’t solved

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

Jul 24 100s protested in Basra Called for PM Maliki to resign because he was responsible for failures in

security and services

 

Jul 25 PM Maliki said Electricity Min was responsible for power failures Said Ministry committed fraud

Part of Maliki’s step back from claiming power shortages would end in 2013

(Musings On Iraq Iraq No Closer To Solving Its Electricity Problems)

(Musings On Iraq More Hollow Promises By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry)

Jul 25 Dep PM Shahristani said he was responsible for strategy and coordination on energy file Said power

failures Electricity Ministry’s fault Rejected criticism Said he approved buying gas turbines even though Iraq didn’t have natural gas to fuel them because Electricity Min said they would work on any fuel

Jul 25 Protest in Muthanna and Dhi Qar for better services fighting corruption jobs Sadr said he supported

protests

Jul 25 Report Interviewed Iraqis who fought with Abu al-Fadhl al-Abbas Brigade in Syria Said commanded

by Hezbollah Fought in Damascus suburbs not by Zainab shrine as brigade claimed Most recruits came from Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Said Maliki govt turning blind eye to Iraqis fighting in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Abu Fadhl Al-Abbas Brigade From Fighting In Syria To Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

 

Jul 29 ISI started new car bomb wave as part of Soldiers’ Harvest campaign with 17 bombings

 

Jul 30 Report ISI targeted sahwa in Diyala Offered rewards to anyone that killed a sheikh who led a sahwa

unit ISI sent threatening texts

Jul 30 Parliament’s energy comm said power problems wouldn’t end until 2020 Said Dep PM Shahristani

and Electricity Min Aftan misled parliament Both said Iraq would end its power problems by end of 2013

Jul 30 PM Maliki announced govt giving land to poor in slums of Baghdad Was for patronage

 

Jul 31 Report ISI had recovered Launched 45 mass casualty attacks per month with regular multi-city

bombings Tribes along Syrian border signed non-aggression pacts with ISI US withdrawal helped group

Jul 31 Report Increase in voters in Dohuk and Irbil but decrease in names on voter lists KRG parliament

said last 12 yrs 180,000 died but only 440 names removed from voter roles PUK complained about 10,000 dead people voting 39 MPs asked for 94,000 repeated names to be taken off voter lists Election Comm said they weren’t repeats but people with same names

 

Aug 1 Dep PM Shahristani admitted to corruption in electricity industry Said companies were ripping off

govt Claimed it was part of a foreign plot against Iraq

 

Aug 2 PM Maliki interview on TV blamed Dep PM Shahristani for blackouts Said Shahristani gave him

false info about electricity industry Blamed Sadr for attacks upon cafes in Baghdad and prisons

Aug 2 100s protested in Baghdad over decline in security Some activists arrested and beaten by army

 

Aug 3 Was shootout between Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in Sadr City Asaib Ahl Al-Haq stormed a

Sadrist mosque Killed 1 Wounded another Afterward Asaib Ahl Al-Haq leader shot and killed Mahdi Army leader Then Mahdi Army kidnapped Asaib Ahl Al-Haq leader Led to further shooting Sadr attacked Asaib Ahl Al-Haq for being murderous group with no religion

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists-League of the Righteous Clash In Iraq During The Summer)

 

Aug 5 Sadr announced he was withdrawing from politics Sadrists denied that and said he was just taking a

break Was way to rally his supporters

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Moqtada al-Sadr Trying To Rally His Supporters With “Retirement”)

 

Aug 6 Report Parliament’s security committee said up to 10,000 soldiers on leave in exchange for part of

their salary being taken by officers MP said more than 10% of ISF were off duty Also ghost soldiers that don’t exist Created so officers could steal salaries

Aug 6 Sadrist MP said PM Maliki should not run again Blamed him for Iraq’s poverty unemployment

corruption and lack of security

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Increasing Their Attacks Upon Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Once Again)

 

Aug 7 House of fmr Ninewa governor bombed by ISI

Aug 7 Report KRG still smuggling oil to Iran Up to 30,000 bar/day being trucked to Iran Source said

            KRG officials supported oil trade to appease Iran for KRG exporting oil to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq News Emerges of Iraq’s Kurdistan Trucking Oil To Iran Again)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Aug 8 Head of Ninewa council hit by IED planted by ISI

Aug 8 Sadrist MP accused PM Maliki of allowing Baathists to infiltrate ISF and that they were running

govt now

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Increasing Their Attacks Upon Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Once Again)

 

Aug 10 Pres Barzani said KRG ready to protect Syrian Kurds if threatened by ISI and Al-Nusra Front

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

 

Aug 11 Sadrist MP said families should sue PM Maliki for ISI attacks on Abu Ghraib and Taji prisons

Implied that Maliki was working with IS

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Increasing Their Attacks Upon Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Once Again)

 

Aug 12 Report Iraq released summary of Integrated National Energy Strategy Assumed oil prices would stay

above $100/bar Predicted Iraq would export natural gas by 2015 Talked about diversifying economy via industry but made no effort at it Called for increasing govt services and govt jobs which wasn’t diversification 2007-12 59% of new jobs came from govt Only 3% came from farming/industry

Aug 12 Report May-Jun Badr increased public rhetoric about fighting in Syria Jul announced sent 1500

fighters to Syria Late Jul started announcing losses Held public funerals

Aug 12 State of Law MP blamed Eid bombings by ISI on Turkey Qatar Saudis Israel Said they supported

insurgents who destabilize Iraq Were conspiracy theories

 

Aug 13 450 sahwa quit in southwest Kirkuk due to threats by ISI

Aug 13 Sadrist MP said Sadr put PM Maliki in office and therefore Sadr didn’t need to listen to the PM

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Increasing Their Attacks Upon Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Once Again)

 

Aug 14 Report After 2003 Sunnis felt marginalized Were treated as group 1^st time Quota system in govt

made Sunnis minority partner which they couldn’t accept Had to change view of state and society to communal one Some pushed for political participation Others for insurgency Increased feelings of exclusion because no unified leadership Raised profile of local clerics and sheikhs Felt singled out as Baathists and terrorists Felt targeted by govt Didn’t believe in politicians because achieved little Increased move towards insurgency to gain power/rights 2010 Sunnis voted in large numbers Iraqiya won election but outmaneuvered by PM Maliki Dec 2011 Maliki issued warrant for VP Hashemi Maliki attempted to control provinces and local ISF Blocked autonomous moves by Diyala and Salahaddin Jun 2012 Iraqiya failed at no confidence vote vs Maliki Party fell apart afterward in part due to Maliki’s divide and conquer policy Increased divisions amongst Sunnis Syrian war increased sectarianism amongst Sunnis

Aug 14 Report Sunni protests started in Fallujah Dec 2012 after Maliki had Finance Min Issawi’s

bodyguards arrested Spread to other parts of Anbar Salahaddin Kirkuk Ninewa Jan and Mar 2013 clashes between protesters and ISF in Fallujah and Mosul Protests led by religious leaders sheikhs politicians insurgents Meant many agendas Tribes and clerics wanted more power vs those connected to Baghdad Insurgents wanted to exploit protests Split Iraqiya over cooperating or opposing PM Maliki Protests split over getting concessions from Maliki autonomous regions or insurgency Lack of united leadership led Maliki to try divide and conquer Set up committees to deal with demands Attacked protests for trying to divide Iraq Insurgents used Apr raid on Hawija protest camp turned people towards violence Naqshibandi Islamic Army ISI launched attacks afterward

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Becoming A Dictator? An Interview With Kirk Sowell Of Inside Iraqi Politics)

 

Aug 16 Friday sermons in Salahaddin and Diyala claimed ISF ops cleansing Sunnis from Baghdad belts

Said militias involved Said Sunnis were being killed and imprisoned Called for Sunni protests to be internationalized Called for uprising vs PM Maliki

Aug 16 Friday sermon in Falllujah said that was where resistance to US occupation began and where

Iranian influence in Iraq would end Called on Sunni politicians to protect community from militias Said ISI worked for Iran Said Sunnis were blamed for all violence

Aug 16 ISF arrested dep head of Iraqi Scholars Council who helped organize Sunni protests

Aug 16 Foreign Min Zebari went to US Asked for military aid with security decreasing Met with Joint Chiefs

head Gen Dempsey who said Iraq had to make request in writing Also said that if PM Maliki serious about security had to replace all his generals none of which Dempsey thought were good Zebari told Maliki US open to new military cooperation but Maliki said ISF could handle insurgency Zebari said Maliki’s generals were lying to him

 

Aug 17 Parliament’s oil committee said Oil Min wouldn’t reach goal of 4 mil/bar/day in oil production by

2013 because of deteriorating infrastructure Was right

Aug 17 Report After bombing in Baghdad Interior Min claimed only 2 people killed Actually over 3 dozen

killed and over 100 wounded

 

Aug 18 Mutahidun list said Maliki govt carried out military campaign vs Sunnis in Baghdad Diyala

Salahaddin

Aug 18 Sadrist MP said PM Maliki should resign if he cared about the Iraqi people because he was a

            failure

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Increasing Their Attacks Upon Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki Once Again)

 

Aug 19 Head of State of Law in Basra said bombing of Um Qasr port was to cover up corrupt deal

involving sugar imports by Trade Min Said ISF were involved

 

Aug 20 State of Law accused Saudi intel of being behind recent bombings in Iraq Said Foreign Min was

covering it up Claimed Qatar Jordan Turkey Saudis conspiring against Iraq and Syria ISI behind bombings

 

Aug 21 Report MP on parliament integrity comm said around $9 bil/yr laundered Said 10% of govt

contracts payoffs to officials who then laundered money MP said top officials in Baghdad and provinces involved Made fake govt deals Then laundered money to send it out of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Aug 21 Report ISF unable to stop ISI’s Soldiers’ Harvest Security worsened after PM Maliki ordered ISF

raid on Hawija protest site Afterward insurgents took Suleiman Beq During op to free town Kurdish brigade of 4^th Div refused orders Cmdr and 600 soldiers of brigade referred to court martial ISF only able to regain control of Suleiman Beq by making deal with insurgents and local leaders Aug Foreign Min Zebaari asked US for military aid Since 07 PM Maliki made loyalists cmdr in ISF 1 was Gen Ghanam Commanded brigade in 6^th Div in Abu Ghraib Criticized for heavy handed tactics Made cmdr of 2^nd Div in Ninewa and also criticized for tactics Made cmdr 17^th Div in southern Baghdad/Babil Jul resigned Source said 17^th Div investigated because troops were going AWOL because of Ghanam’s leadership Afterward Defense Min said it gave amnesty for any AWOL soldiers from 17^th Div 10% of ISF ghost workers Jul Defense Min replaced head of Anbar Ops Command for refusing to arrest protest leaders

 

Aug 22 Report Baghdad wasn’t paying Diyala sahwa State of Law MP said sahwa working for insurgency

Maliki govt wanted to replace Sheikh Abu Rish as head of Anbar Awakening because of his role in Anbar protests with Sheikh Hardan

 

Aug 24 Report Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri mediated dispute between Ansar al-Sunna and Naqshibandi

over revenues in Kirkuk Insurgents collected rents on shops factories gas stations

Aug 24 Parliament’s integrity committee confirmed that bombing of Um Qasr port in Basra was part of

scam involving sugar imports Govt was importing sugar that was unusable

 

Aug 25 Supreme Court overturned Jan law that limited president PM speaker to 2 terms Law passed by

Iraqiya Kurds Sadrists State of Law said law unconstitutional because wanted 3^rd term for PM Maliki Court under Maliki’s influence Maliki saved chief justice of Supreme Court from being removed by deBaathification

 

Aug 26 Tax Authority said oil dependence would undermine economy Said govt had no plan on how to

diversify Said regulations and rules blocked developing market economy Corruption held up spending by govt Tax income hardly amounted to anything Most companies and investors smuggled profits out of country to not pay taxes

Aug 26 Report Maliki govt released low casualty figures as violence increased Attacked media for

covering attacks Army officer said Maliki ordered ISF to only report on successes 1 day in Aug Interior Min said 3 killed in Baghdad Media reported 24 killed

Aug 26 ISF arrested head of Scholars Council in Anbar Was a protest leader

 

Aug 27 Report KRG opened new road to Iran for oil smuggling Oil sent to export terminal in Persian Gulf

Up to 30,000 bar/day trucked into Iran US warned KRG about smuggling

(Musings On Iraq News Emerges of Iraq’s Kurdistan Trucking Oil To Iran Again)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Aug 27 Report Early 2012 militias began sending fighters to Syria to support Assad Included Asaib Ahl Al-

Haq, Kataib Hezbollah Badr Harakat Hezbollah Nujaba Kataib Sayid al-Shuhada Sadrists also said to be fighting in Syria as part of Liwa Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigade Fighters vetted by Iran and Syria Training under Hezbollah Mar militia denied they were fighting in Syria Same month started announcing death of men in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

Aug 27 Army tried to raid Ramadi protest site Led to armed clash with gunman protecting site

 

Aug 28 Integrity Commission accused fmr Commission head Judge Ogaili of running secret prison in Green

Zone blackmailing officials appointing criminals giving reports to US and questionable arrests Ogaili said charges fabricated and PM Maliki using Commission for his own political ends

Aug 28 71 killed in Baghdad by ISI bombings Most casualties for any one day in 2013 so far

Aug 28 Report Revenge of the Martyrs security op accused of carrying out arbitrary arrests Detained many

Sunni protesters

 

Aug 31 Protests in Babil Baghdad Basra Dhi Qar Karbala Najaf over cancellation of pensions ISF fired at

crowd in Dhi Qar Wounded 10 Reporters were arrested and beaten by ISF for covering protests

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists-League of the Righteous Clash In Iraq During The Summer)

(Musings On Iraq Anti-Pension Protests Return To Iraq)

Aug 31 IS siege of Amerli Salahaddin broken Helped by US air strikes Hashd entered town

Aug 31 IS executed 19 in Sadiya Diyala for not giving it allegiance 5 police executed in Baquba

 

Sep 1 Freedoms Observatory condemned attacks upon journalists for covering protests on Aug 31 Were

beaten and arrested

Sep 1 Human Rights Comm criticized how govt dealt with protests in Baghdad and Dhi Qar Crowds were

attacked by ISF

 

Sep 4 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri wrote letter to ISI Said he had authority over ISI and Jabhat Al Nusra as an emir

ISIS head Baghdadi said that ISIS would remain

 

Sep 9 KRG imported $6 bil in goods in 2012 Exported little but oil Turkey and Iran 2 largest trade partners

Imported food consumer goods Imports hindered developing of local businesses KRG farming in decline 08 KRG started 5 yr development plan for agriculture that failed Started another 5 yr plan

Sep 9 Report Jun Electricity Min said capacity of national grid reached 10,000mw 20% of capacity lost due

to lack of fuel low water levels at hydroelectric plants maintenance Actual supply was 7800mw Inefficient grid meant only supply 5500mw Demand was 14700mw 08 Electricity Min bought 56 turbines from GE Weren’t taken out of shipping crates until 2011 Iraq bought 72 turbines from GE and Siemens that ran off of natural gas which Iraq didn’t have Used oil which reduced output and life Jul Iraq agreed to buy natural gas from Iran to fuel turbines Maliki and Electricity Min said demand for power would be met by end of 2013 Didn’t happen

Sep 9 Report KRG Electricity Min said region would get 24 hrs of electricity soon Building new power

plants and expanding old ones Didn’t meet goal

Sep 9 Report Sep Iran’s Foreign Minister visited Iraq Got PM Maliki to agree to oppose any military strike

against Syria US said Iran shipping arms to Syria across Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq fighting in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Opposes U.S. Military Strike On Syria)

 

Sep 10 Report 2011 ISI sent Jawlani to Syria to create new organization there Led to Al Nusra Front Apr

2013 ISI became ISIS Jawlani wanted to be independent and said he gave loyalty to Al Qaeda Many Nusra Front fighters left for ISIS

Sep 10 Ninewa Govt Nujafi said court issued arrest warrant for him over illegal real estate deal Said it

was political move by State of Law before 2014 election Charges dropped

Sep 10 New Baghdad governor said billions of dinars had been stolen from construction contracts Said

one project 80 bil dinars stolen 21 bil dinars stolen from another Said turned over cases to Integrity Commission

(Musings On Iraq New Baghdad Administration Finds Millions Stolen In Corrupt Construction Deals)

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Sep 10 Agriculture Min said Iraq had reached self-sufficiency in fruits and vegetables Only lasted one

year

Sep 10 Report Sheikh al-Saadi tried to make himself religious leader of Sunni protests Opposed

federalism Rhetoric became more radical Demanded amending constitution Unity of Iraq changing political system Census Ending quota system in govt Islamic Party pushing for Sunni federalism

Sep 10 Transportation Min said it inspected 12 Iranians planes and found no weapons bound for Syria

Ministry said Iraq was following intl resolutions to stop arms going to Syria Foreign Min Zebari said Iraq had stopped Iran shipping weapons to Syria across Iraqi airspace All false statements

Sep 10 Kataib Hezbollah leader threatened 23,000 suicide bombers against US if it attacked Syria

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Sep 10 Parliament’s security committee questioned ISF for raids and mass arrests in Latifiya Baghdad after

family killed

 

Sep 11 ISIS called for attacks on apostates in Ninewa

 

Sep 13 Report Educt Min destroyed 127 schools in Diyala more than 2 yrs ago Said was making way for

new ones but never built

Sep 13 Report Govt report said Iraq lost $40 bil/yr due to lack of electricity

Sep 13 KRG Education Min said he didn’t have $10 bil to build 500 schools region needed Blamed oil

dispute with Baghdad for lack of money KRG said Baghdad cut budget from 17% to 10.4% over oil dispute 2012 KRG report said 1 in 3 Kurds couldn’t read and didn’t have diploma

Sep 13 Report Iran’s Foreign Min Zarif and Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani went to Iraq Zarif said Iran

would not attack US if struck Syria Suleimani upset Shiite parties didn’t support Iran’s Syria policy more

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

 

Sep 14 Several days of fighting between ISI and Ansar al-Sunna began in south Kirkuk Started after ISI

killed local sahwa commander

Sep 14 Govt sent 211 projects to Integrity Comm Said none of them surpassed 5% completion rate Included

projects at Baghdad Airport and Baghdad Intl Fair Blamed provincial govts for corruption in projects

Sep 14 Report Professor at Basra Univ blamed cancer on use of depleted uranium during Gulf War and

2003 invasion Claimed were only 15 cancer cases per/yr amongst children Up to 2,000 per/yr

Sep 14 Report Turkey signed license to import natural gas from KRG Supposed to start in 2014 and reach

3.2 mil cub/meters by 2033 Didn’t happen

Sep 14 Report Kurds and Sadrists accused PM Maliki of using Tribal Support Council to build support

before 2014 elections

(Musings On Iraq Disputes Over Tribal Support Councils)

 

Sep 15 Report Sunni Endowment called on PM Maliki to protect people in Basra Imams and notables

were assassinated MP said leaflets handed out blaming Sunnis for recent ISI attacks on Shiites MP said several Sunni notables had been killed

(Musings On Iraq Security Going From Bad To Worse In Iraq)

 

Sep 16 ISIS blew up 22 homes in Qayara Ninewa

Sep 16 Report Housing Min said it would only finish 5% of the 2.5 mil houses it needed by 2016

 

Sep 17 ISI put up flyers in Shura Baghdad telling people not to work for govt Blew up 6 homes in Qayara

            Ninewa Attacked Fallujah police station with 2 suicide bombers

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Sep 17 Protest in Basra City against attacks on Sunnis

(Musings On Iraq Security Going From Bad To Worse In Iraq)

Sep 17 Report 17 Sunnis killed in Basra in Sep Received threats for attacks on Shiites in Iraq Sunni

Endowment head in Basra said closing mosques due to threats and killings

 

Sep 18 Report BP Shell Exxon negotiated with Oil Min to reduce production quotas Talks started 2012

Lukoil and Eni already cut their targets Lack of infrastructure main cause

 

Sep 19 Report Iraq released 5 yr development plan Said goal diversifying economy Wanted to develop

industry Called for $357 bil in investment Wanted to increase agricultural production and reduce poverty Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s New 5-Year Development Plan Sets Nice Goals But Will Have Little Effect Upon Policy)

Sep 19 Report Officials said PM Maliki wanted to create a Shiite militia to fight insurgency

Sep 19 Report 10 men found in east Baghdad handcuffed and shot in head 1^st time in yrs group of people            found executed

Sep 19 133 sheikhs and notables in Basra signed letter to Maliki govt calling on it to stop sectarian

violence in province Came after Sunnis attacked

(Musings On Iraq Security Going From Bad To Worse In Iraq)

Sep 19 Report Sunni protests divided over federalism Anbar Salahaddin Kirkuk Baghdad Diyala Ninewa

protests wanted release of innocent prisoners Demanded census to know how many Sunnis in Iraq Many Sunnis thought they were majority

(Musings On Iraq Political Support For Sunni Protests Waning As Mutahidun Tries To Negotiate Their End)

 

Sep 20 Iran brokered Sulaymaniya agreement to try to unite PUK leadership divided since Pres Talabani

became ill Didn’t work

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Influence The Next Kurdish Government In Iraq)

 

Sep 21 Elections for KRG parliament held KDP won Gorran 2^nd PUK 3^rd

(Musings On Iraq KRG Elections Change Region’s Politics, But Will It Change The Government?)

(Musings On Iraq Complete 2013 Kurdistan Regional Government Election Results)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s patriotic Union Of Kurdistan Faces The Abyss)

 

Sep 22 Report PUK and PKK working together to counter KDP in Syria Pres Barzani and Turkey tried to

limit PKK/PYD in Syria

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

 

Sep 23 Report 8 Ansar al-Sunna and 4 ISI killed fighting each other in south Kirkuk Lasted for several days

Started when ISI assassinated sahwa commander Ansar al-Sunna objected Said would turn tribes against insurgents

Sep 23 PUK said it accepted results of KRG election Came in 2^nd to Gorran KDP said it would maintain

power sharing agreement with PUK

(Musings On Iraq KRG Elections Change Region’s Politics, But Will It Change The Government?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s patriotic Union Of Kurdistan Faces The Abyss)

Sep 23 Head of Sunni Endowment went to Basra and called for protecting Sunnis Re-opened mosques

Endowment closed Had been series of attacks on Sunnis in province Blamed for insurgency

(Musings On Iraq Security Going From Bad To Worse In Iraq)

 

Sep 24 Insurgents attacked Ana Anbar along Syrian border Seized mayor’s home

Sep 24 ISIS issued warning to tribes to not join ISF

Sep 24 Maliki govt asked KRG to connect its independent pipeline to Turkey with govt one so Baghdad

could control exports KRG pipeline supposed to be finished soon KRG refused

Sep 24 Report Dep PM Shahristani said govt would cut KRG’s budget payments if started independent oil

exports Shahristani said Iraq would build 5 mooring points in Basra Each had capacity of 900,000 bar/day in oil for exports

Sep 24 Badr said it would help with security in Baghdad and Diyala

Sep 24 Gunmen stormed voting center in Sulaymaniya Kicked out Election Comm officials and tried to

change ballots Led to fighting between Gorran and PUK Gorran accused PUK-KDP of cheating 

Sep 24 PUK official claimed KDP cheating in vote and that’s why it came in 3^rd

 

Sep 25 ISIS attacked Hawija govt building in Kirkuk with 2 suicide bombers

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

 

Sep 26 Report KRG owed Dana Gas $380-$390 mil for fuel delivered

Sep 26 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq got $5 mil/mo from Iran Openly supported Ayatollahs Khomeini and

Khamenei

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Sep 27 Sadrists marched in Kut and Kufa Demanded release of Sadrists arrested for fighting US

Sep 27 Report PM Maliki formed alliance with Asiab Ahl Al-Haq to maintain street support before 2014

vote Asaib Ahl Al-Haq also given badges and weapons and manned checkpoints to help with security

 

Sep 29 Report Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in power struggle Were clashes between the two in Aug

Sadr called Asaib Ahl Al-Haq people of the falsehood

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists-League of the Righteous Clash In Iraq During The Summer)

Sep 29 Election Comm announced results of KRG voting KDP 1^st Gorran 2^nd PUK 3^rd

(Musings On Iraq KRG Elections Change Region’s Politics, But Will It Change The Government?)

(Musings On Iraq Complete 2013 Kurdistan Regional Government Election Results)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Patriotic Union Of Kurdistan Faces The Abyss)

Sep 29 ISI assassinated four mayors Attacked Irbil Asayesh HQ with car bomb 4 suicide bombers

ambulance bomb

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

 

Sep 30 Wife of Pres Talabani Hero Ibrahim Ahmed gave up head of PUK in Sulaymaniya Part of power

struggle within party and election defeats

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Patriotic Union Of Kurdistan Faces The Abyss)

 

Oct 1 Report WHO and Iraqi govt report on birth defects found no connection with Coalition use of

depleted uranium munitions Survey asked mothers about births since 1980s Birth defects went from 7.6 per 1000 births in 1988 to 26.2 per 1000 in 2003 Criticized because not based upon health records many of which didn’t exist but interviews Also for not including enough districts

Oct 1 Electricity Min said it would end power crisis by end of 2013 Said would reach 13000mw capacity

by end of yar and 20000mw capacity by end of 2014 Claimed major cities were receiving 20 hrs of power/day Blamed Oil Min for not providing enough fuel for generators Also stealing of electricity Didn’t reach goals

Oct 1 Report PUK’s Hero Ibrahim was still on party’s politburo after resigned being head of PUK

            in Sulaymaniya Was still a leader within PUK Part of power struggle within PUK

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Patriotic Union Of Kurdistan Faces The Abyss)

 

Oct 3 ISIS said it would re-occupy territory it lost in past and expand into new ones

Oct 3 20 sahwa units in Salahaddin said they were disbanding due to threats from ISIS

(Musings On Iraq Behind The Revival Of The Islamic State in Iraq, Interview With Naval War College Prof Craig Whiteside)

Oct 3 Exxon announced it was starting drilling in KRG Has 6 blocs 3 are in disputed areas Chevron

started drilling in its 2 blocs Jul

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Oct 3 Report Iraq passed Iran in oil production due to sanctions on Tehran Asia bought most Iraqi oil

Problems with infrastructure like pipelines and storage Wanted to reach 12 mil/bar/day in production by 2017 which was impossible give infrastructure Oil companies wanted to lower production targets

Oct 3 Report KDP and PUK accused each other in Kirkuk of corruption and working for Saddam KDP

tried to take advantage of weakness of PUK after Pres Talabani became sick

Oct 3 Report Violence in Iraq increasing by both insurgents and militias Jan-Sep avg 68 car bombings/mo

Attacks across multiple cities every 10 days Early 2011 300 major attacks/mo By 2013 1200 major attacks/mo ISF working with Asaib Ahl Al-haq and Sadrists to carry out retaliatory attacks in Baghdad Sep 20 Sunnis killed in Basra as payback for insurgent attacks

Oct 3 Report Fake bomb detectors still used in Iraq

 

Oct 4 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said Dana Gas breached its agreement and owes damages as a

result Report KRG owed Dana $380-$390 mil for past work Did repairs on natural gas facility at Khor Mor in Jul but didn’t restart production because no contract for sales

 

Oct 5 Protests in Baghdad Basra Maysan Najaf Babil Qadisiya Anbar Ninewa Karbala Diyala Kirkuk Dhi

Qar Wasit Muthanna over govt cutting pensions

(Musings On Iraq Anti-Pension Protests Return To Iraq)

 

Oct 7 March in Adhamiya against Sunni historical figures Sunni mufti threatened general strike if there

was another march Sistani issued fatwa condemning abuse of Sunni figures Sadr criticized march

Oct 7 Anbar Gov Diab met with PM Maliki in Baghdad to deliver Sunni protest demands

(Musings On Iraq Political Support For Sunni Protests Waning As Mutahidun Tries To Negotiate Their End)

Oct 7 IS attack on Haditha Anbar turned back

 

Oct 8 Iraqi special forces unit got into gun battle with 300 insurgents in Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr Area base for

attacks into Mahmudiya and Latifiya SBaghdad Mahmudiya likely care bomb factory

Oct 8 Report 2012 Iraq surpassed Iran as 2^nd largest OPEC producer Production 3 mil/bar/day Exports 2.4

mil/bar/day Had low production costs and easily accessible oil Lacked oil law infrastructure Suffered bottlenecks at every step from production to exports Attacks on pipelines Infrastructure could barely handle current production 2004 started work to renovate Basra export terminals 2012 added 2 mooring platforms to increase exports Exports still below predictions Pipelines in Basra corroding Can’t take full capacity Delay in building storage facilities in Basra Pipeline to Turkey also corroded and often attacked by insurgents Iraq needed massive water injection to maintain production Wasn’t exploiting natural gas from oil fields

Oct 8 Report Turkey and Iran trying to influence forming new KRG govt Iran wanted PUK-Gorran

reconciliation Turkey wanted KDP and Kurdistan Islamic Union to unite

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Influence The Next Kurdish Government In Iraq)

Oct 8 PUK blamed sick Pres Talabani for it coming in 2^nd to Gorran in KRG election Splits in leadership

Divisions over continued alliance with KDP

Oct 8 Suicide bomber attacked Shiites in Adhamiya Killed 49 Wounded 75

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

 

Oct 9 Report IS started new Soldiers’ Harvest campaign in Jul Goal was attacking ISF and establishing

control of areas Was trying to expand form Diyala and Salahaddin into Ninewa Tried to cut off ISF supply lines to Mosul

Oct 9 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq said it was creating popular committees to help with security Said ISF

couldn’t protect population Warned of civil war

Oct 9 50 families fled Baquba dist central Diyala due to ISI Blew up 18 homes in Kirkuk

 

Oct 10 Report Pres Talabani’s son Bafel involved in corruption case Bafel involved in building power

plant in Sulaymaniya that was never finished PUK MP also involved Bafel got 10% of contract $18.75 mil Bafel said he represented the KRG but had no govt position Bafel got another $5.2 mil from company Bafel kept the money Contract cancelled Nov 09

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Oct 10 Report Planning Min did report on ministries and govt offices implementing budgets in 2012 Avg

was 27% Communications Min only spent 6% Finance Min 7% Industry Min 12% Transportation Min 26% Ninewa spent 7% Diyala 24% Basra 35%

 

Oct 11 Electricity Min claimed there was uninterrupted power supply and that demand was met Claimed

all provinces got 24 hrs of power Untrue

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Electricity Ministry Claims 24 Hours Of Power Achieved)

Oct 11 Report PUK still split over leadership since Pres Talabani became ill in 2012 Had party meeting but

nothing resolved

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Patriotic Union Of Kurdistan Faces The Abyss)

 

Oct 13 Report ISI could not carry out several mass casualty bombings a month Wanted to undermine govt

Prison breaks increased group’s lethality Sunni marginalization and Syrian war helped recruitment Violence jumped after PM Maliki raided Hawija protest site

Oct 13 Report UN’s WHO did study on birth defects in Iraq Found same or lower than intl estimates

Found no evidence of high rates of abortions still births or birth defects Health Min reported birth defects increased after 2003 Fallujah center of Iraqi claims 1 report said birth defects 13 times higher than European rate Criticism of report for relying on survey rather than medical records

 

Oct 14 3 killed and others wounded in gun fight between ISI and Ansar al-Sunna in west Kirkuk 4^th time

in 4 wks 2 groups fought each other in Kirkuk

Oct 14 Sadr interview Said terrorism and violence increasing in Iraq Said MP Maliki was a failure and he

might stay in power forever Claimed Maliki got 2^nd term due to manipulating Election Comm and domestic and foreign support and alliances with Kurds and Sunnis Said he wanted Allawi or Abdul Mahdi to be PM after 2010 vote but eventually gave into pressure to back Maliki for 2^nd term

Oct 14 Report Parliament’s security comm criticized call for popular committees to help with security in

Baghdad Said showed faults with govt who spent millions on ISF 1 MP said committees could lead to chaos

Oct 14 Report PM Maliki gave speech calling for return of Tribal Support Councils in Diyala to secure

province Councils used to break up Sahwa in province and create patronage networks for Maliki

Oct 14 Report Anbar protest sites chose Anbar Gov Diab to talk with PM Maliki Hawija and Salahaddin

protest sites rejected talks Protest demands increased since they started Include releasing prisoners sectarian balance in govt stopping anti-terrorism law and deBaathification amending constitution Split over whether Mutahidun or Sheikh al-Saadi should represent Anbar protests Critics said Mutahidun used protests and now wanted to end them Protests achieved little

(Musings On Iraq Political Support For Sunni Protests Waning As Mutahidun Tries To Negotiate Their End)

Oct 14 IS captured Hit Anbar after Iraqi army unit abandoned base

 

Oct 15 Reports New survey of 2000 households est 461,000 excess deaths from 03-11 Tried to be more

random in picking households to question 60% of deaths caused by violence 35% of those were by Coalition 32% by militants

(Musings On Iraq Comparing Surveys of Iraqi Deaths During The War)

 

Oct 16 Electricity Min said it would produce 16,000mw by summer 2014 Said reached 11,000mw

capacity but 30% lost Said would provide 24 hrs of power by summer 2014 Didn’t happen

Oct 16 Report After PUK came in 3^rd in KRG elections Iran called and told it not to use violence 2 Quds

Force officials visited Sulaymaniya and met with PUK and Gorran officials

(Musings On Iraq Iran Tries To Influence The Next Kurdish Government In Iraq)

 

Oct 17 Report New survey found 450,000 excess deaths in Iraq Said Iraq Body Count method of

monitoring media to count deaths missed many Survey said 270,000 died violently US responsible for 90,000 deaths Survey had lower death count than Lancet study

(Musings On Iraq Comparing Surveys of Iraqi Deaths During The War)

(Musings On Iraq Major Flaws With The Lancet Reports On Iraqi Deaths Part I)

(Musings On Iraq Major Flaws With The Lancet Reports On Iraqi Deaths Part II)

(Musings On Iraq New Survey On Estimated Deaths In Iraq Refutes Lancet Reports)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Mark Van Der Laan on Lancet Reports)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Michael Spagat on Lancet reports)

Oct 17 Repot New survey on Iraqi deaths reported 405,000 excessive deaths from 2003-11 243,000 violent

deaths Figure was comparable to Iraq Body Count and Iraq Family Health Survey

Oct 17 Report KRG hoped independent oil pipeline to Turkey would earn more money than what it got

from budget Maliki govt afraid pipeline would lead to KRG independence Natural Resource Min Hawrami said revenue from pipeline would be shared It wasn’t KRG would have to produce 400,000-500,000 bar/day of oil to make up for budget payments Estimates were KRG only had capacity of 350,000 bar/day 140,000 bar/day of that was used internally

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Oct 18 European Relations Comm official said $800 mil smuggled out of Iraq to Swiss banks and other

foreign banks each week Said came from bribes and corruption

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

Oct 18 PLOS Medicine report est 405,000 excess deaths in Iraq 2003-2011 Lancet study est 655,000

excess deaths from 03-06 1 critique of Lancet was sample size was too small and didn’t represent all of Iraq New study covered twice as many areas Another critique of Lancet was focused upon main streets with more violence New survey was more random Lancet est annual mortality rate of 13.3 per 1000 2003-06 New study est 4.55 per 1000 2003-2011 New report had similar casualty figures to Iraq Body Count and Wikileaks

(Musings On Iraq Comparing Surveys of Iraqi Deaths During The War)

(Musings On Iraq Major Flaws With The Lancet Reports On Iraqi Deaths Part I)

(Musings On Iraq Major Flaws With The Lancet Reports On Iraqi Deaths Part II)

(Musings On Iraq New Survey On Estimated Deaths In Iraq Refutes Lancet Reports)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Mark Van Der Laan on Lancet Reports)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Michael Spagat on Lancet reports)

 

Oct 19 IS held parade in southern Fallujah

Oct 19 Report PM Maliki put son in charge of security of Green Zone Son arrested contractor for

corruption Maliki said ISF couldn’t do job so his son had to

 

Oct 20 Electricity Min claimed Iraq was receiving 24 hrs of power Untrue

 

Oct 21 ISF said ISI tried to take over a govt complex in Fallujah Were in control of building for a few hours

ISI also attacked Ana and Rawa

Oct 21 Report Supreme Court struck down law restricting Judicial Council Allowed chief judge Medhat

Mahmoud to resume control of judiciary Council oversaw appointment of judges 2004 Mahmoud made head of Council 2005 became chief justice of Supreme Court Dec 2011 parliament passed law that removed Mahmoud from being head of Council and Supreme Court because he was aligned with PM Maliki March 2010 Mahmoud ruled largest bloc could be formed after votes totaled Allowed Maliki to out maneuver Allawi and win 2^nd term Court then ignored lawsuits by Maliki opponents to force parliament to elect president 30 days after election as stated in constitution which also helped Maliki Court allowed ministers and PM to avoid being questioned by parliament Court ruled parliament can’t start laws only president and cabinet

 

Oct 22 Dana Gas Crescent Petroleum Pearl Petroleum filed arbitration against KRG in UK Wanted to

clarify contracts for Khor Mor and Chamchamal fields Also wanted to know how much Natural Resource Min owed them Companies said they tried to negotiate with ministry first

Oct 22 Report Young Kurds that grew up in West and returned had problems in KRG Filmmaker from

Holland got job at Film Academy in Irbil Complained about corruption patronage nepotism Said students regularly cut and pasted their work Businessman from Netherlands said most medicine imported by 2 families He tried to get into business and container of his medicine held at checkpoint Went to checkpoint to get it released and arrested on drug charges Lawyer couldn’t get him out Called his boss who called a political party and got him released Said he was arrested and medicine held so that it spoiled and couldn’t be sold

Oct 22 Report Sheikh Abu Risha said 40% of Anbar controlled by ISI Said army was failing to secure

desert Sand that ISF cmdr for Anbar sectarian Said Awakening turned around security in Anbar and then abandoned by govt

 

Oct 23 ISI bombed a mall and a restaurant in Mosul that didn’t pay it protection money

Oct 23 Report Ninewa started talks with oil companies Sep 2013 Ninewa govt gave governor right to sign

oil deals Gov Nujafi met with Exxon Nujafi said Ninewa should work with KRG to develop oil fields in disputed areas of province Angered Baghdad

 

Oct 24 Report Govt memo claimed Baathists infiltrated Interior and Defense Ministries and that was how

insurgents were able to carry out so many attacks Said Baathists were working with ISIS

Oct 24 Sahwa leaders in Kirkuk said ISI trying to take over towns and hold territory

 

Oct 25 Report PM Maliki was coming to US in Nov to ask for aid vs ISIS Lack of intel major problem Iraq

had different intel agencies that didn’t have good leadership or training Had millions in weapons contracts with US but process slow Also political interference from Congress

Oct 25 Report US agreed to $2.6 bil deal with Iraq for integrated air defense system and F-16 jets Air

defense never went through

 

Oct 26 Iran signed agreement to provide natural gas for 3 power plants in Basra Pipeline supposed to be

finished Mar 2014 Would be 2^nd Iranian pipeline to Iraq

Oct 26 Electricity Min Aftan said there would be no more power outages in Iraq Said new power plants

were operating and old ones rehabilitated Said Iraq was receiving 24 hrs of power Not true

 

Oct 27 Report Sep 2012 Baghdad and KRG signed deal for KRG to export 250,000 bar/day in oil to get

budget payments KRG said Baghdad didn’t pay oil companies in region and stopped exports 2014 budget again set export quota for KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Oct 27 Report ISI controlled large parts of Anbar at night Set up checkpoints and killed people ISF didn’t

secure Anbar-Syrian border Anbar tribes not working with ISF

 

Oct 28 Sadr said PM Maliki was backing Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Told followers not to clash with group Two

fought in Baghdad 1 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq member killed Sadrist families were forced out afterward and had homes blown up Asaib Ahl Al-Haq filed lawsuit against 17 Sadrists Sadr asked Asaib Ahl Al-Haq members to return to his movement

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Oct 28 Report ISF security ops alienated people and pushed them towards insurgents Think tank

analyst said Iraq had no strategy to deal with insurgency Risk analyst said Iraq using short term tactics without long term view

Oct 28 Report ISI was trying to co-opt Sunni protests Believed to have assassinated 4 leaders in Mosul

Protests stalled after provincial elections Oct ISI gunmen showed up at Ramadi protest site Anbar protests tried to counter ISI by starting talks with Maliki govt Protests divided

 

Oct 29 Report Khorasani Brigade made its 1^st announcement in Sep Said it was fighting outside Damascus

protecting Zainab shrine Said it supported Ayatollah Khamenei

(Musings On Iraq Khorasani Brigade Another Iraq Militia That Returned Home From Syria To Fight The Insurgency)

Oct 29 Report Sadr forbid his followers from fighting with Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Came after several clashes

between the two

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Oct 29 Report Iran trying to keep PUK unified Iranian delegation met with PUK leadership in Sulaymaniya

Also met with Gorran and KDP

 

Oct 31 Report Dep PM Shahristani against KRG independent oil pipeline to Turkey Said only

            central govt could export oil

Oct 31 Report KRG said it was going to build 2nd oil pipeline to Turkey in 2 yrs Said was needed

            with increased production KRG wanted to export 3 mil/bar/day Didn’t happen

 

Nov 1 Iraq said it supported Geneva II meeting to arrange political transition in Syria for Assad to step

down

Nov 1 Report Ninewa officials said insurgents still making money off Mosul Extorted money

from shops petrol stations companies Earned millions and major source of funding Gov Nujafi admitted for years insurgents had taken money from province Claimed ISF was cracking down on practice

Nov 1 Report PUK secretary general said party members more interested in enriching themselves

than the party Said was reason why party lost support Also mentioned poor governance Called on old guard to step down and allow younger leadership run PUK

Nov 1 Report Turkey said it wouldn’t allow KRG to independently export oil without Baghdad’s

            approval Turkey did allow KRG exports

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Nov 1 Report Energy experts said impossible for KRG to build 2nd oil pipeline to Turkey in 18

            months as claimed Turkey said it wanted 2nd pipeline

 

Nov 2 Report Ninewa politicians said insurgents controlled area between Ninewa Salahaddin Anbar Said

insurgents were operating in the open in Mosul Said ISF in Ninewa corrupt Said Ninewa was financial base for militants Extorted money and smuggled oil Source said ISF withdrew from some areas in Ninewa at night Defense Min had to pay extra to keep soldiers on duty in Ninewa

 

Nov 3 ISIS attacked Emergency Police HQ in Baquba Diyala

 

Nov 4 Parliament’s oil committee said if KRG continued to export oil it would have its share of budget cut

Came after KRG independent oil pipeline to Turkey finished

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Nov 4 Dana Gas had to restructure its debt in 2012 Depreciated its assets in KRG Company owed money

by KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami talked with some companies about Dana selling its stake in Chamchamal gas field Dana said that was breach of contract Took KRG to arbitration court in UK over money owed it since 07

Nov 4 PM Maliki said Sadr’s Mahdi Army kidnapped and looted in Basra Karbala Baghdad Said Sadr was

campaigning for his list but people of Iraq remembered what his militia did

 

Nov 5 Gorran accused PUK of persecuting its followers in Sulaymaniya govt Gorran said it was now

dominant party in Sulaymaniya but excluded from positions KDP said didn’t trust Gorran to be in govt KDP said unacceptable for Gorran to act like opposition and be in govt PUK said it would go after any party that disrupted Sulaymaniya

 

Nov 6 Report KRG finalized number of energy deals with Turkey included building oil and gas pipeline

between two State run Turkish company signed partnership with Exxon for oil exploration in KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said that 83% of KRG oil profits would go to Baghdad Didn’t happen Maliki govt said deals were illegal

 

Nov 7 Report ISI bombing businesses in Mosul for not paying it protection money Mall and restaurant

bombed in Oct 2004 ISI moved into extortion business in city Now extorted money from mosques schools university professors power generator owners Controlled fuel blackmarket in Ninewa

 

Nov 9 State of Law MP said Sunni protests weren’t important anymore Claimed PM Maliki made

agreement with Anbar tribes and local leaders Said Maliki supported Anbar Governor Diab as representative for protests Said Maliki made deal with Sheikh Abu Risha over Awakening

 

Nov 12 Sadr said he rejected 3^rd term for PM Maliki

 

Nov 13 Fallujah’s mayor killed by a sniper

Nov 13 When KRG parliament session ended gave bonus of $50,000 to each MP

 

Nov 14 US National Counterterrorism Center testified to Congress that ISIS was strongest

            since its peak in 2006

Nov 14 KRG’s Pres Barzani accused PYD of creating an autocracy in east Syria when it said it was creating

its own autonomous region in Rojava Accused PYD of marginalizing other Kurdish parties 2012 Barzani held meeting of Syrian Kurds to try to form umbrella organization Barzani wanted to control Syrian Kurds and was rivals with PKK/PYD

Nov 14 Head of parliament’s human rights comm said ISF committed human rights abuses against Sunnis

Said was hurting security Complained about house raids Unwarranted arrests Insults

 

Nov 15 Report ISI trying to hold and gain territory in Iraq Oct sahwa leaders in Kirkuk said ISI was trying

to take over towns Ninewa and Diyala ISI handed out flyers Told people they had to cooperate or leave

Nov 15 Report Turkey’s Energy Minister said Ankara ready to mediate between Baghdad and KRG over oil

Didn’t happen

 

Nov 16 Erdogan met Barzani in Turkey and asked for his help with Kurdish vote in

            Turkey’s 2014 elections Asked Barzani to found a Turkish Kurdish party

 

Nov 17 Report Sadr called PM Maliki dictator Maliki said Mahdi Army responsible for civil war Said

Sadr worked with foreign powers to depose him Warned govt would retaliate against Sadr if kept attacking govt

Nov 17 Report ISI set up checkpoints in western Anbar Had laptops with names of ISF who they were

going to kill Said ISF morale bad in Anbar ISI wanted to cut ISF supply lines

 

Nov 21 Mukhtar Army breakaway faction of Kataib Hezbollah fired mortars into northern Saudi Arabia

Leader Battat said was warning to Saudis Condemned their religious decrees against Shiites Said Riyad had to stop interfering in Iraq Part of campaign for 2014 election

 

Nov 23 KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami said that KRG would export oil to Turkey whether Maliki

govt agreed or not

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Nov 25 Anbar Gov Diab met with PM Maliki to talk about protest demands Actually made agreement to

shut down protests in return for political favors

 

Nov 28 PetroChina bought 25% share of West Qurna 1 oil field from Exxon Company said it

wanted to focus on KRG instead of del with Oil Min

Nov 28 Report State Dept said it was against KRG independent oil exports to Turkey without

approval of Baghdad Said KRG and Baghdad needed to come to deal over oil

Nov 28 Report Ansar al-Sunna and ISI were fighting each other in Kirkuk Police recorded 21 gun

battles between 2 Used to cooperate IS was trying to dominate Ansar al-Sunna

 

Dec 1 Fallujah protest leader Sheikh Khalid Hamoud al-Juamili assassinated

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

Dec 1 Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq fought each other in 2 neighborhoods in Baghdad 15 killed and

wounded

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Dec 4 IS attacked intel HQ in Kirkuk city Led to heavy fighting and Peshmerga reinforcements sent

 

Dec 7 Pro-Maliki Sheikh Hayes house mortared in Ramadi Nephew Sheikh Moahmmed al-Hayes

assassinated Sheikh Hayes blamed protesters Gave protest site 48 hours to turn over perpetrators or his men would storm the camp

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 8 Sheikh Hayes blamed Ramadi protests for death of his nephew Gave 48 hr deadline to end protests

or he would end them using force

 

Dec 9 Sheikh Issawi hit by sticky bomb in Ramadi dist in spate of attacks upon Anbar notables

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 10 Pro-Maliki Sheikh Hayes had his house hit by mortar fire in Jazeera in spate of violence against

Anbar notables

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 11 Anbar govt told sheiksh to take down protests camps until after election Claimed was done so

politicians didn’t exploit protests Was because govt wanted to end protests

 

Dec 12 Iraq signed $1.1 bil deal to buy 24 FA-50 light fighter jets from South Korea By 2023 still not

operational

Dec 12 Parliamentarian called on govt to stop blockading Tarmiya Baghdad Said town had been on

lockdown for over a week

Dec 12 Sheikh Dulaimi assassinated north of Ramadi in spate of attacks against Anbar notables

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 13 Sheikh Shorka house hit by two bombs in Jazeera in spate of violence against Anbar notables

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 15 Sheikh Saadi spiritual leader of Anbar protests had his house shot at in Ramadi

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

Dec 15 Report Anbar Gov Diab called people who wanted to defend protest sites idiots Said politicians and

media exploiting protests Said police could protect Anbar Some leaders called for people’s army to protect protest sites after clashes with ISF and Hawija massacre by govt

 

Dec 16 KRG parliament attacked Dep PM Shahristani Said he didn’t have right to administer oil

policy Said KRG had right to develop and export its own oil Said were creating facts on the ground to build independent pipeline to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Dec 19 Sheikh Mohammed al-Hayes’ house in Ramadi bombed in spate of violence against Anbar

notables

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 20 Sheikh Fahadawi’s house hit by mortars in Ramadi in spate of violence against Anbar notables

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 21 7^th Div commander and leadership of division all killed by IS booby trapped house in Anbar PM

Maliki would use it as excuse to close Anbar protest sites which turned more people to insurgency

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

Dec 21 Insurgents attacked al-Assad air base in Anbar

 

Dec 22 Maliki announced major military campaign in western Anbar desert region after IS killed

leadership of 7^th Div Ordered protests to end Claimed Ramadi protests used by IS

Dec 22 Sheikh Hayes said tribes Anbar governor and govt agreed to end protests Said it would cooperate in

fight vs IS

(Musings On Iraq Crackdown On Protest Site In Iraq’s Anbar Province Seemingly Averted)

Dec 22 Ramadi and Fallujah protest leaders said they would take up arms against any forces trying to stop

demonstrations

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

 

Dec 23 Sheikh Sulaiman said tribes would protect Ramadi protest site against Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

Dec 23 Anbar Ops Command outside Ramadi hit by mortars in new insurgent offensive

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

Dec 23 ISF arrested 7 protest leaders in Samarra Came after PM Maliki claimed IS exploiting protests

 

Dec 24 Maliki ordered ISF to surround Ramadi protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

Dec 24 Def Min Dulaimi’s convoy hit by IED

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

Dec 24 Report Despite rise in GDP no increase in living standards for Iraqis Rise in per capita income

dependent upon govt salaries Had been no increase in that area Tourism Min said govt salaries didn’t keep pace with rising prices Expert said rise in GPD in 2013 raised per capita income to $6000

Dec 24 Report World Bank withdrew grant for Education Min Gave $100 mil in 2011 to build schools Only

20% completed Iraq needed more than 7000 schools

 

Dec 25 PM Maliki said he would close Anbar protest sites Acting Def Min Dulaimi said govt would not shut

down Ramadi protest site PM Maliki said there were 30 ISI leaders at the protest sites

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

 

Dec 26 2 Suicide bombers attacked 1^st Rapid Reaction Brigade HQ in Garma Anbar Ops Command HQ

mortared in new insurgent offensive in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Dec 26 Human Rights Watch US sent missiles and drones to ISF to help fight IS US didn’t think weapons

or tactics problems but ISF that suffered from corruption Positions in ISF sold Militias in ISF Constant prison breaks with help from ISF ISF flaunted Shiite flags and slogans spreading sectarianism

Dec 26 Diyala governor accused militias of attacking displaced in 3 villages and burning homes Also said

local mayors were being targeted

Dec 26 Sheikh Hayes said govt needed to end protests Accused protesters of being criminals

 

Dec 27 Maliki said was last time would be Friday prayers at Ramadi protest site Demanded tribes end

protest

Dec 27 Iraqi forces tightened security around Ramadi protest site searching people coming

            and going

Dec 27 Army vehicle attacked near Ramadi protest site Blamed on ISIS

Dec 27 Pro-Maliki Sheikh Hayes said Ramadi base for Al Qaeda Called on Maliki to burn down the

Anbar protest camps Hayes met with delegations from Albu Diab Albu Jaber Albu Ali al-Jassim Albu Fahd Albu Shaban Albu Hamza tribes who all pledged support for govt

(Musings On Iraq Violence In Iraq’s Anbar Highlights Divided Tribes There)

Dec 27 Several sheikhs warned govt about closing down Ramadi protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

Dec 27 Ansar al Sunna claimed ISI killed 40 of its members in inter-insurgent fighting

(Musings On Iraq Infighting Between Iraq Insurgent Groups)

Dec 27 Commander Anbar Rapid Reaction Force hit by IED Army base east of Ramadi hit by mortars

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

Dec 27 Report Finance Min audit of KRG oil exports found $10 bil missing Said was probably from

smuggled oil

Dec 27 Report PM Maliki distributed 680 plots of land in Baghdad to Dawa members Part of patronage

network and meant to ensure support in 2014 election

 

Dec 28 Maliki ordered arrest of MP Alwani for taking part in protests Gun battle ensued killing Alwani’s

brother and some of his bodyguards Led to protests in Fallujah and Ramadi and Ninewa Salahaddin Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

Dec 28 Speaker Nujafi’s parliamentary investigative group into arrest of MP Alwani blocked from

entering Anbar by ISF

Dec 28 Maliki ordered arrest of Sheikh Sulaiman for his role in Anbar protests Sulaiman fled to Irbil

(Musings On Iraq With Fighting Still Going On In Anbar Province Iraq’s Premier Maliki Continues To Issue Arrest Warrants From Protest Leaders)

Dec 28 Court in Najaf said dozens of govt workers involved in real estate scam Made more than 700,000

false contracts Was part of gang in three govt offices that operated from 2004-09

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Dec 29 Head of Anbar council called for end of Ramadi protests in exchange for govt releasing MP

Alwani Defense Min Dulaimi gave 2 days for protests to end

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

Dec 29 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq said it would run in 2014 election as part of PM Maliki’s State of Law list

Dec 29 Ground forces cmdr Gen Ghidan claimed most ISIS bases in Anbar desert destroyed after

security op Said remaining ISIS fighters had moved to Ninewa Few days ISIS would seize control of Fallujah

 

Dec 30 Anbar sheikhs gave govt 12 hour ultimatum to release PM Alwani

Dec 30 PM Maliki used death of army’s 7^th Div cmdr to order Ramadi and Fallujah protest camps to be

closed Led to gun battle in Ramadi that killed 10 Maliki said sites were base for ISIS and now they lost them Said military op in Anbar was biggest loss for ISIS and rallied Iraq behind ISF Led to call to arms in Fallujah Closure helped insurgency to return

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

Dec 30 Gunmen appeared in Fallujah after protest site there closed setting up checkpoints and fighting

with ISF Some mosques in Ramadi called for jihad Police cars seized in Ramadi and burned Clashes in Hit

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

(Musings On Iraq Aftermath of Shutting Down Ramadi Protest Site In Iraq)

Dec 30 Army base east of Fallujah hit by mortars

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

 

Dec 31 Anbar council negotiated withdrawal of 2 ISF units from Ramadi to try to control protests and

fighting

Dec 31 Maliki said he would withdraw ISF from cities in Anbar after closing protest sites led to fighting

Dec 31 Speaker Nujafi announced Mutahidun withdrawing from govt to protest Maliki shutting down

Ramadi protest site

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

Dec 31 10 houses in Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr blown up by ISI forcing 84 families to flee

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Dec 31 Army base outside Ramadi hit by rockets Base in Baghdadi Anbar shot at Police station in

Ramadi taken over 2 army bases in Haditha and Baghdadi overrun Part of new insurgent offensive after PM Maliki shut down Anbar protests

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq’s Anbar Province December 2013)

(Musings On Iraq Aftermath of Shutting Down Ramadi Protest Site In Iraq)

 

2014

Jan 1 ISIS fighters moved into Ramadi and looted and burned police stations Fighting spread

to Garma

(Musings On Iraq Aftermath of Shutting Down Ramadi Protest Site In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

Jan 1 Insurgents took Fallujah police HQ Released 101 prisoners Blew it up and mayor’s office Reports

police deserting and joining insurgents

Jan 1 Sheikhs Abu Risha and Hayes called on Anbar to fight ISIS

Jan 1 ISIS began pushing families out of Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil

 

Jan 2 ISIS fighters attacked Ramadi and helped take Fallujah with other insurgents

(Musings On Iraq review The Rise of Islamic State, ISIS and the New Sunni Revolution)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

Jan 2 Meeting of sheikhs clerics and notables to work out plan to retake Fallujah

Jan 2 Mutihadun said wanted govt to release PM Alwani and police to restore

            security in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Maliki Goes From Offensive Against Al Qaeda To Crackdown On Anbar Protestors)

Jan 2 Kurdish independent oil exports arrived in Turkey

Jan 2 Banks in KRG ran out of cash Couldn’t pay KRG public salaries and pensions Bank member said

that KRG didn’t have modern financial system Univ of Sulaymaniya prof said KDP and PUK kept money out of banks to control cash flow KRG Finance Min blamed Baghdad for not sending budget payments over oil dispute

 

Jan 3 Insurgents declared Fallujah an Islamic emirate ISIS held parade and public prayers in city ISIS

actually shared power with Naqshibandi 1920 Revolution Brigades Islamic Army and others

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

 

Jan 4 Report indiscriminate govt shelling of Fallujah was causing hundreds to be displaced

(Musings On Iraq Counterproductive Tactics Of The Iraqi Security Forces)

(Musings On Iraq Human Cost Of Government Shelling And Air Strikes On Iraq’s Fallujah)

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

(Musings On Iraq Government Shelling Of Civilian Areas In Iraq Continues Despite Premier Abadi’s Pledge Not To)

 

Jan 5 Secretary of State Kerry said US would assist Iraqi govt with renewed insurgency

Jan 5 Clerics sheikhs and insurgents created council to run Fallujah Said it didn’t include ISIS

Jan 5 Military Council of Anbar Revolutionaries announced Said it would fight Maliki govt and ISIS

 

Jan 7 Sheikh Abu Risha claimed Fallujah under tribal and police control Was under insurgent control

 

Jan 8 KRG Natural Resource Min said KRG would export 2 mil/bar/day by end of month Said KRG

would export 10-12 mil/bar/day by end of 2014 Didn’t happen

Jan 8 Natural Resource Min said KRG would start exporting oil and buyers could go to Kurdistan Oil

Marketing Organization to make purchases which didn’t exist

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jan 8 ISIS handed out flyers in Fallujah threatening to bomb houses of people who opposed them

Jan 8 Albu Nimr tribe joined Fallujah Military Council Was tribal and insurgent group

 

Jan 10 Reports Oil Min said it had exclusive rights to export oil and natural gas Said companies buying

oil from KRG would face legal consequences Condemned KRG saying it would start exporting oil to Turkey without Baghdad’s approval

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jan 12 Anbar Salahaddin Ninewa complained ministries were not following provincial powers law and not

giving them more authority Said federal govt held monopoly on power

 

Jan 13 Tribal Military Council tried to unite all the insurgent groups in Fallujah

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jan 13 PUK announced Sulaymaniya agreement to unite leadership Didn’t work

 

Jan 15 Bodies of 14 Sunni men found in Tarmiya day after they were kidnapped by

            men in ISF uniforms and vehicles

 

Jan 16 Report Dozens of families forced out of homes in Fallujah due to army shelling ISF was randomly

shelling city after fell to insurgents

(Musings On Iraq Counterproductive Tactics Of The Iraqi Security Forces)

(Musings On Iraq Human Cost Of Government Shelling And Air Strikes On Iraq’s Fallujah)

Jan 16 UN reported 70,000 displaced in Anbar Came after insurgents took Fallujah and fighting started in

Ramadi

 

Jan 18 Report Insurgents tightened control of Fallujah since took city at start of yr ISIS 1920 Revolution

Brigades Islamic Army Mujahadeen Army Rashidin Army Ansar al-Sunna Naqshibandi all in city ISIS handed out flyers Said it would impose Islamic code in city Protest leaders called for joint prayer but was ignored Police chief’s house bombed Mayor kidnapped Afterward both fled to KRG Insurgents named new mayor and police chief Insurgents checking residents to see whether connected to ISF or Awakening UN said roughly 80,000 fled Fallujah and Ramadi since fighting started

 

Jan 19 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi told his fighters to march towards Baghdad

Jan 19 Sheikhs and an imam who were negotiating with insurgents to have them withdraw from Fallujah were

kidnapped by militants

 

Jan 21 NGO warned that 5,000 had been forced from their homes in Baghdad Diyala Ninewa Basra

Reports gunmen threatened and forced Shammar tribe to flee Baquba Diyala ISIS forced 300 families out of province Shabaks in Ninewa targeted in Mosul Sunnis threatened and attacked in Basra in retaliation for terrorist attacks in rest of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Forced Displacement Returns To Iraq Part II)

(Musings On Iraq Security Going From Bad To Worse In Iraq)

 

Jan 24 As fighting and insurgency took off in Anbar after PM Maliki shut down protest sites mass

displacement started UN said 140,000 displaced from Anbar up from 65,000 week before

(Musings On Iraq Major Displacement In Iraq’s Anbar Due To On Going Fighting)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

 

Jan 25 Report Ansar al-Sunna, Islamic Party militia, Naqshibandi, ISIS all in Fallujah ISIS would eventually

push all other groups out of city

 

Jan 27 Report Obama said IS was a jayvee basketball team

Jan 27 Report Anbar Health Dept said 650 civilians and ISF casualties since fighting began in Anbar in Dec

2013 Member of Anbar security comm said 140,000 fled province

 

Jan 30 8 gunmen stormed Human Rights Min office in Baghdad and took hostages

            Were killed

 

Jan 31 Report Rival Diyala govt formed in Khanaqin Came about after governor dismissed for a warrant for

him Governor then re-elected in Khanaqin Replacement governor elected and put in office in Baquba Court said re-election of old governor illegal

 

Feb 2 Al Qaeda publicly renounced ties with ISIS

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Feb 2 Report Problems within PUK leadership Jan 2014 Dep Sec Gen Barham Salah resigned Got into dispute

with Kosrat Rasul and Hero Ibrahim over Tehran Agreement that made Salah supervisor of party

 

Feb 3 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri renounced ties to ISIS after it killed Jabhat al-Nusra emir in

            Raqqah, Syria 

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Feb 3 Report Militias increased rhetoric as fighting increased in Anbar Dec 2013 PM Maliki announced

offensive vs insurgents in Anbar Used sectarian rhetoric saying it was confrontation between followers of Hussein vs those of Yazid Dec Anbar MP Alwani arrested and his brother and some of his bodyguards killed Known for anti-Shiite rhetoric Asaib Ahl Al-Haq praised arrest 2 Iraqi militias fighting in Syria supported Maliki’s offensive Said ISIS part of Israeli plot Militias claimed fighting in Iraq and Syria was to protect Shiites from Islamists

 

Feb 5 ISIS attacked Mukhisa, Diyala forcing out families Afterward ISF and militias

            killed civilians and burned homes

Feb 5 Report Iranian officials told PUK to unite or lose its backing Came after PUK delegation went to

Tehran Were 3 agreements to unify over leadership All failed Came after Pres Talabani had stroke

 

Feb 8 ISIS joined Fallujah Military Council and agreed to cooperate with other militant factions while trying

to dominate the city

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

 

Feb 9 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq talked about targeted killings in response to insurgent bombings in Shiite

areas Asaib Ahl Al-Haq cmdr said it had to respond to militants Said his group was helping the ISF Claimed he had military uniforms and carried out ops outside Baghdad

 

Feb 11 Report ISIS Islamic Army Mohammed’s Army Asad Allah Brigades Hamas Iraq Omar Brigade

Fallujah Revolutionaries Sons of Fallujah joined together in Military Council for Fallujah Revolutionaries rejected Anbari attempts to end conflict with Maliki govt

 

Feb 15 Protests in Baghdad Karbala Najaf Dhi Qar Kirkuk Muthanna Basra Babil Maysan Qadisiya

against new pension law which maintained lavish payments for high officials

(Musings On Iraq More Protests In Iraq Over Pension System)

Feb 15 Sadr said he was retiring from politics and ending his relationship with his MPs Didn’t retire

 

Feb 18 Report Sadr gave speech attacking PM Maliki as a dictator Said he controlled govt money attacked

cities and was creating sectarian divide Said Iraqis should vote for honest politicians

 

Feb 23 ISIS sent 2 suicide bombers to kill Al Qaeda representative Abu Khald al-Suri who was supposed

to moderate differences between ISIS and Al Nusra Front

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Feb 23 Report CEO of Eni told Maliki govt it had to streamline red tape or it would leave  BP stopped

approving contracts it signed for Rumaila field Govt stopped issuing visas for BP workers BP said around 100 contractors were released early Feb due to problem

Feb 23 Report Electricity Min said Iraq would have 24 hrs of power by Mar 2014 Didn’t happen

 

Feb 24 ISIS released statement in Ninewa attacking Maliki and telling people not to vote in

            election

Feb 24 Report PM Maliki signed $195 mil arms deal with Iran to help with war with ISIS

Feb 24 Report Interview with Hezbollah fighter in Syria Said Abu Fadhl Abbas Kataib Hezbollah Asaib Ahl

Al-Haq were all advised by Iranian army in Syria Said Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq funded by Hezbollah

 

Feb 25 Report Angola’s Sonangol decided to withdraw from 2 fields in Ninewa it won in 2009 auction Said

lack of security reason Sonangol had 75% stake in both fields

 

Feb 26 Report PUK official said Nechrivan Barzani made secret deal with Turkey over KRG oil

exports Claimed agreed to allow exports if deal with PM Maliki not made

Feb 26 KRG Pres Barzani said Baghdad cutting off budget payments was a declaration of war Said it was

illegal PM Maliki cut off budget payments to protest KRG’s independent oil policy

 

Feb 27 Report 3 rounds of talks between KRG and Baghdad over oil exports and budget 2014 draft

budget said KRG to export 400,000 bar/day of oil for Baghdad Maliki govt wanted control over KRG’s independent pipeline KRG had 700,000 govt workers Govt main employer Not been paid for 50 days due to dispute with Baghdad Led to protests in KRG Businessman gave loan to KRG to cover salaries KRG PM Barzani asked Turkey for loans Economist blamed poor planning by KRG for problems KRG didn’t save much money to deal with crises

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Feb 27 Report Head of Baghdad council said 700 unfinished projects in province Blamed corrupt officials

Also unfit contractors that weren’t supervised Some companies delayed work to demand more money

 

Feb 28 Video posted allegedly showing Asaib Ahl Al-Haq fighting insurgents in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Feb 28 Report PM Maliki said he would pay Feb salaries of KRG govt workers if KRG sent its oil revenues

to Baghdad Maliki cut off budget payments in retaliation for KRG’s independent oil policy Caused financial crisis in KRG Feb were protests in Sulaymaniya by govt workers over not being paid Businessman loaned Central Bank of KRG 100 bil dinars to help with crisis

 

Mar 1 Labor Min said companies were using illegal workers Said 75,826 illegal foreign workers in Iraq

Mar 1 Report Gorran MP said KRG govt workers 22% of workforce in Iraq Said unsustainable Said

ministries earned 651 bil dinars in 2013 but had to pay 750 bil dinars in salaries Said 70% of KRG budget went to govt workers

 

Mar 2 Report Economics prof at Sulaymaniya Univ said KRG relied upon monthly budget payments from

Baghdad Said couldn’t run without it Said independent oil exports to Turkey would cause all kinds of problems Said KRG should’ve saved over the yrs to prepare for economic downturns Said KRG had no savings because lacked sound economic policies PM Maliki ended budget payments over KRG’s oil policy

 

Mar 3 ISIS released statement telling people in Kirkuk not to vote

Mar 3 State of Law won lawsuit claiming Wasit govt formed illegally Part of plan by PM

Maliki to overturn provincial govts that excluded State of Law

(Musings On Iraq Maliki Goes After Rival Governments in Diyala, Wasit and Basra)

Mar 3 Report Interior Min dismissed 1200 policemen that fled their posts during fighting in Anbar

Mar 3 Diyala govt stopped 111 service projects worth 70 bil dinars because of corruption Included schools         electricity health water paving streets

 

Mar 5 PM Maliki accused Speaker Nujafi of violating constitution Blamed Nujafi for budget not passing

Part of election campaign

 

Mar 6 Transportation Min Amiri turned around Middle East Airlines plane in flight so

his son who was late could get on

Mar 6 Speaker Nujafi accused PM Maliki of undermining constitution and parliament Part of election

campaign

Mar 6 Report PM Maliki aligned with Asaib Ahl Al-Haq against Sadr Reports Asaib Ahl Al-Haq operating

Diyala and displacing people Also reports it was fighting vs insurgency in Anbar

 

Mar 7 Insurgents bombed Kirkuk oil pipeline cutting northern exports

Mar 7 Protests in Baghdad Maysan Dhi Qar Najaf Basra against new pension law which maintained lavish

payments for high officials

(Musings On Iraq More Protests In Iraq Over Pension System)

Mar 7 Anbar’s Sheikh Sulaiman turned down amnesty offer by PM Maliki Said Maliki never followed

through with promises Sulaiman demanded army withdraw from Anbar cities Said Anbar govt illegitimate Wanted trials for ISF officers who attacked protest sites

 

Mar 8 Protests in Baghdad Maysan Dhi Qar Najaf Basra against new pension law which maintained lavish

payments for high officials

(Musings On Iraq More Protests In Iraq Over Pension System)

 

Mar 10 Thousands of Sadrists marched in Sadr City Najaf Maysan Dhi Qar after PM Maliki said Sadr

not a mature politician and should be ignored

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr Ramps Up Campaign Against Maliki Before Iraq’s Elections While His Party is In Disarray)

 

Mar 12 Planning Min official said up to 90% of the capital budget for investment was returned Said

provinces and ministers couldn’t spend their budgets

Mar 12 Report 100s of 1000s of dinars stolen from ISF in Ninewa Police were supposed to get 500,000

dinars/mo but only got 250,000/mo Traffic police demanded Finance Min investigating missing pay

(Musings On Iraq Insurgent Financing In Iraq’s Ninewa Province)

 

Mar 13 Report ISIS tried to storm several villages in recent weeks Included Sulaiman Beq in Salahaddin

Azim and Sadiya in Diyala Jurf al-Sakhr and Musayib in Babil Radwaniya and Abu Ghraib in Baghdad Also building up bases in Baghdad belts Part of buildup to assault on Mosul

Mar 13 PUK MP said KRG lost control of its finances Said even if Baghdad restarted budget payments

KRG couldn’t meet its debts KRG Finance Min ordered not to pay high level officials so low level ones could get salaries but didn’t happen High officials still paid Low levels ones not

 

Mar 15 Report insurgents skimmed salaries from ISF in Mosul and Tikrit Charged taxes on imports to

cities Got protection money from businesses and generator operators Kidnapped for ransom Believed to earn $8 mil/month from extortion in Ninewa 

(Musings On Iraq Insurgent Financing In Iraq’s Ninewa Province)

(Musings On Iraq Analyzing The Finances Of Al Qaeda In Iraq Interview With RAND’s Patrick Johnson)

 

Mar 17 Report Baghdad sent part of Feb budget payment to KRG for govt salaries Budget crisis showed

how dependent KRG was on Baghdad 70% of KRG budget went to govt workers KRG had to turn to loans and business deals for money after Baghdad ended payments

Mar 17 Sadrists and MP Alusi both accused PM Maliki of trying to fix 2014 vote Said political pressure

on courts to ban candidates

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr Ramps Up Campaign Against Maliki Before Iraq’s Elections While His Party is In Disarray)

 

Mar 20 ISIS held parade in Fallujah

(Musings On Iraq How Iraq’s Fallujah Fell To The Islamic State)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Mar 20 KRG said it would export 100,000 bar/day of oil for Baghdad as goodwill gesture Part of on going

dispute over oil exports and budget Came after Baghdad sent some money to Irbil

 

Mar 21 Insurgents occupied Sari Tapa Diyala 6 hr gun battle with ISF Afterward security forces took out

anger on village raiding houses and arresting people

Mar 21 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq retook Buhriz Diyala from ISIS in Mar Afterward 28 villagers killed

Houses and mosques burned

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

 

Mar 22 ISIS seized control of Buhriz Diyala Held town for two days Hashd destroyed homes burned 3

mosques after retaken Killed at least 2 civilians

 

Mar 25 Militias held parade in Balad, Salahaddin which local officials tried to deny

Mar 25 ISIS took over Nibai for one day and then left

Mar 25 ISIS made call for declaring the caliphate as a trial balloon

Mar 25 Transportation Ministry set up special flights to take ISF members from Mosul

            to homes in Baghdad to avoid attacks along highway

Mar 25 Report Dozens of Sunni families fled Buhriz, Diyala Was taken over 1 day by ISIS Then ISF

shelled town Next day police and militias showed up Burned 3 mosques

 

Mar 26 Sadr condemned militias in Diyala after several reports of them killing civilians

            and destroying property

Mar 26 Mutahidun said militias had killed civilians in Buhriz and destroyed houses

            and mosques

 

Mar 27 Islamic Party accused ISF of being involved in killing civilians in Buhriz, Diyala

Mar 27 Report Education Min said students who passed religious exams at schools run by Shiite Muslim

Endowment would be equal to exams at regular schools

 

Mar 28 Families from Qara Tapa, Diyala started fleeing militias

Mar 28 PM Maliki accused Saudis and Qatar of waging war on Iraq Said they were aiding IS Said they

were responsible for sectarianism terrorism and security crisis in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, The Saudi Struggle For Iraq)

Mar 28 Report ISIS condemned voting in elections Posted flyers against election Said it would target

voting centers

 

Mar 29 Protest in Babil against worsening security due to ISIS ISIS threatened Qara Tappa Diyala 100s

fled 10 villages as a result

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

 

Mar 30 ISIS held parade in Abu Ghraib

 

Mar 31 ISIS released 2^nd annual al-Naba report on its operations

Mar 31 Fmr Communications Min Allawi Fmr Finance Min Issawi and 8 general mangers

            charged with corruption

Mar 31 Mutahidun claimed 44 civilians killed by Hashd in Buhriz, Diyala with

            complicity of ISF

 

Apr 3 Sadr said Maliki should not run for 3^rd term as premier

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr Ramps Up Campaign Against Maliki Before Iraq’s Elections While His Party is In Disarray)

 

Apr 5 25 families fled Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil as ISIS moved into area from Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Deteriorating Security In Northern Babil Province Iraq)

Apr 5 Sadrists began campaign for national elections calling for majority govt and

            end to sectarian quotas

 

Apr 6 ISIS governor of Kirkuk and another leader killed fighting Ansar al-Sunna in Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq More Reports Of Insurgent In-Fighting In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Infighting Between Iraq Insurgent Groups)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Apr 6 ISIS closed Fallujah Dam causing flooding

 

Apr 7 PM Maliki told National Alliance he was turning to militias for security because frustrated with

ISF’s performance Got backing for Popular Defense Brigades Made up of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah Given control of Baghdad belts

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Apr 7 PM Maliki told National Alliance there was a Sunni-Turkish conspiracy against Shiites and Iran

Said Syria was blocking this conspiracy and if Syria fell Iraq would be next

Apr 7 Naqshibandi leader and son killed by ISIS in Hamrin, Diyala ISIS had been kidnapping Naqshibandi

members in Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Infighting Between Iraq Insurgent Groups)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq More Reports Of Insurgent In-Fighting In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Apr 10 MP from Diyala said there were militias and death squads operating in province Mutahidun

accused militias of carrying out attacks against civilians in 4 parts of Diyala

Apr 10 Report insurgents bombed pipeline to Turkey several times stating in March Then stopped repair

crews from fixing it

Apr 10 Report ISIS began raids into Ramadi City council said families fleeing city due to shelling and

            gun battles

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Government Admits To Losing Control Of Parts Of Ramadi)

 

Apr 11 ISIS conducted raid into Abu Ghraib district west Baghdad Killed 11 soldiers

Apr 11 Gunmen suspected to be from Asaib Ahl Al-Haq shot up homes and burned a mosque in Bodaja,

Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Apr 11 Diyala governor warned that militias were operating in province and increasing

            tensions and violence

Apr 11 Fighting broke out in Kirkuk between PUK and KDP supporters leaving 17

            wounded before KRG elections

Apr 11 Fmr Higher Education Min Ugayli arrested for wasting public money and legal abuses

 

Apr 12 ISIS issued orders to infiltrate Baghdad

Apr 12 ISIS posted pictures of over 80 police joining it from Albu Diab and Albu

            Shaban in Anbar

 

Apr 13 ISIS held parade in Baiji

Apr 13 ISF said it cleared part of Ramadi from insurgents Start of larger effort to secure city

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Government Admits To Losing Control Of Parts Of Ramadi)

 

Apr 15 Jurf al-Sakhr in Babil fell to ISIS after PM Maliki ordered ISF to evacuate dist Families fled area

New security operation launched to free district

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Apr 15 Flyers dropped over Fallujah telling people to leave due to impending security

            operation to free city Wasn't taken until 2016

Apr 15 US responded to PM Maliki’s claim that US lied that it provided military support to Iraq to fight

insurgency US said it gave everything Baghdad requested

 

Apr 17 IS attacked Al Qaeda saying that it was no longer leader of jihad

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Apr 17 Insurgents blew up pipeline in Baiji leading to large oil spill contaminating

            water all the way to Baghdad

Apr 17 KDP and Gorran said they had agreement to form new government in KRG

Apr 17 Report Militias returning to fight insurgency May 2013 militias blamed for assassinations in

Baghdad Feb 2014 Asaib Ahl al-Haq Badr Sadrists operating openly and working with ISF Killed civilians in Diyala after ISIS seized a town People fled town in Diyala due to militias

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

Apr 18 ISIS commander killed fighting Ansar al-Sunna in Rashad, Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq More Reports Of Insurgent In-Fighting In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Infighting Between Iraq Insurgent Groups)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Apr 18 Al Qaeda’s Abu Qatada said ISIS was misguided liars and ignorant

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Apr 18 Report Anbar council asked if ISF were competent enough to retake Fallujah

Apr 18 Former Diyala governor and Mutahidun MP said militias were trying to take over

Mukhisa and force people out of town

Apr 18 PM Maliki gave speech in Babil calling for majority govt after elections

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

Apr 18 Report 1976 Iraq-Turkey treaty said that Turkey could not sell Iraqi oil without Baghdad’s

approve Put Turkey’s sale of KRG oil into question Iraq has threatened Turkey and oil companies if they buy KRG oil

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Apr 19 Head of Ninewa Operations Command accused of extorting money and arresting

            people for ransom

Apr 19 Protest in Baghdad Diwaniya for reform

Apr 19 Army tried to enter Fallujah from north but turned back by insurgents

Apr 19 Report Sadr criticized fatwa by Ayatollah Haeri in Iran Haeri issued fatwa in Mar 2014

banning people from voting for secular candidates Sadr said people should vote for competent candidates

Apr 19 Intl Org for Migration counted over 3.4 mil displaced up from 3.3 mil Was due to war with IS

 

Apr 20 Anbar Ops Command announced offensive to retake Fallujah while Anbar

            council said no op started

Apr 20 Dep PM Shahristani said Iraq aiming for 9 mil/bar/day in production by 2020 Said Iraq going to

develop natural gas Didn’t reach target Gas only partially developed  

Apr 20 Army claimed it was attacking Fallujah from 3 sides Head of Anbar council said no operation

Wouldn’t be liberated until 2016

Apr 20 ISF launched 1st operation to clear Jurf al-Sakhr in Babil Failed

(Musings On Iraq Deteriorating Security In Northern Babil Province Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Apr 20 ISIS destroyed army column of T-62 tanks and APCs with anti-tank missiles in Kirkuk

 

Apr 21 Report Lack of infrastructure and storage capacity hindering oil industry Corruption and

bureaucracy slowed projects Whenever bad weather oil companies told to reduce production because no storage capacity to store oil that couldn’t be exported

 

Apr 22 Pres Barzani threatened independence of Kurdistan if oil dispute with Baghdad

continued Said PUK wouldn’t get KRG Interior Min Should settle for VP Said KDP had good relations with PKK Claimed 2006 he rejected a US-Turkish plan to root out PKK bases in KRG Blamed PKK for failure of Kurdish National Congress in 2013 in Syria KDP never had good relations with PKK

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Iraqi Kurdistan’s Policy Towards Syria, Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

 

Apr 23 PM Maliki ordered Office of Commander in Chief to raise a popular army using militias to help

with security Would start with Defense Brigade Maliki already created out of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah

Apr 23 Dep PM Shahristani said KRG didn’t have right to manage its oil revenues only Baghdad did Said

KRG had not shared any of its oil revenues with Baghdad

 

Apr 24 Was fighting between ISIS and Military Council in Fallujah

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Apr 25 Boko Haram pledged support to ISIS

Apr 25 Report US sent intelligence officers to assist Iraq with fighting insurgency Started

            training Iraqi Special Forces in Jordan Since Jan 2014 US sent weapons

Apr 25 KRG offered North Oil Company to use its pipeline to Turkey for oil exports

Apr 25 Report Insurgents were split over whether to support elections or not ISIS Naqshibandi Army of

the Mujahadeen Ansar al-Islam against vote Islamic Army Hamas Iraq Salahaddin Brigades Political Council of the Iraqi Resistance supported election

Apr 25 PM Maliki told BBC Saudis were interfering in Iraq Said it was sending fighters Blamed Syria for

problems in Anbar Said if Assad was overthrown would lead to terrorism and slaughter

(Musings On Iraq review A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, The Saudi Struggle For Iraq)

Apr 25 Director of Fallujah General Hospital said 1,418 people had been killed or wounded since

insurgents seized city and govt tried to free it Worker said 262 bodies brought to hospital since Jan 2014 They blamed govt shelling for most casualties

(Musings On Iraq Human Cost Of Government Shelling And Air Strikes On Iraq’s Fallujah)

 

Apr 27 2^nd time ISF said it was starting op to retake Fallujah Anbar council again denied

            was happening

Apr 27 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah retook Buhriz Diyala from ISIS in Mar Afterward

23 villagers killed Houses and mosques burned ISF aided militias PM Maliki had turned to militias to help with security

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Apr 27 Report ISIS blew up bridge in Diyala in March Attacked 4 checkpoints in area ISF raided houses

and arrested people 100s fled afterward Cmdr 12^th Div said some soldiers went hungry Blamed commanders who weren’t trained in logistics Every day soldiers didn’t show up Lacked ammo

Apr 27 Report Complaints mostly against State of Law for buying votes in Babil Qadisiya Wasit

Candidates were giving out gifts and money

 

Apr 28 Ibrahim Jaafari said that PM Maliki’s mistakes led to deterioration in security

Apr 28 ISIS seized control of 6 voting centers in Qara Tapa, Diyala

Apr 28 Iran signed oil and natural gas deal with KRG

Apr 28 Special voting started in national elections for parliament

Apr 28 Report Bush angry at PM Jaafari for indecisiveness Asked US Amb Khalizad if he could remove

Jaafari who said yes Khalizad tried to block Jaafari forming parliamentary majority Dawa wanted Ali Adeeb to be PM Khalizad asked for alternative CIA said Maliki 1967 Maliki joined Dawa Accountant at Educ Dept in Hilla Head of Dawa cell there 1980 Maliki arrested and fled Iraq for Syria Ran Dawa’s military arm Moved to Iran Ran training camp organized by Iranian Rev Guard Ran ops vs Iraq during Iran-Iraq War Maliki denied Dawa terrorist attacks like 1983 bombings of US and French embassies in Kuwait Protected Abu Muhandis from charges for bombing Maliki told Amb Crocker he wanted to rule like Gen Qasim playing one faction against the other US diplomat said Maliki paranoid about Baathists Said had no vision for Iraq’s future US officials would tell Maliki about killings by militias He would blame it on insurgents Refused to take on militias US diplomats said after 2008 Charge of Knights Maliki began centralizing power Obama admin considered 2010 election a victory because secular Allawi won Then decided to back Maliki because Shiite parties and Iran would never agree to Allawi govt Obama admin never played large role in govt formation process while Iran tried to dictate terms US pushed Irbil power sharing agreement to keep Allawi in govt Maliki didn’t implement deal Obama not interested in keeping US troops in Iraq past 2011 withdrawal Amb Jeffrey said got no instructions from White House on negotiating troop extension White House rejected idea of parliament voting on troop extension US official believed after 2011 US withdrawal Maliki unrestrained US embassy sent memo to Obama admin that US creating dictator in Maliki Amb Crocker said US had given up on being middle man in Iraqi politics under Obama

(Musings On Iraq Former Ambassador Robert Ford Reflects On U.S. Policy Towards Iraq And Syria)

 

Apr 29 ISIS took credit for suicide bombing of PUK rally in Khanaqin, Diyala that killed

            30 Wounded 64

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Apr 29 Report that US intel believed Maliki getting re-elected PM would divide Iraq

            more

Apr 29 Report PM Maliki ordered army out of Ramadi and Fallujah Helped insurgent take over Jan 2014

ISIS declared Fallujah Islamic emirate ISIS used money to buy support in Fallujah ISF not been able to hold areas it cleared in Anbar ISF and ISIS executing prisoners

Apr 29 Report PM Maliki used Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah to secure Baghdad belts Told

Shiite politicians he was disappointed with ISF Publicly Maliki denied using militias 1 militiaman said he’d been deployed to Abu Ghraib since Jan 2014 and reported to Maliki Asaib Ahl Al-Haq member said given uniforms and weapons by govt and deployed to Latifiya

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Apr 29 Report Up to 1000 ISF killed in fighting in Anbar More have deserted Soldiers complained not

given ammo or equipment Soldier in Ramadi said only 120 of 750 men in his battalion still on duty Rest had deserted Officers stole money for food fuel and supplies General said commissions were sold Officers extorted money from business Charged taxes at checkpoints

Apr 29 Keys to PM Maliki’s power Was weak leader at 1^st Charge of Knights led to strong image Sought

support of Shiite middle class Included token Sunnis in govt Used Kurds against Sunni Arabs Broke up cross sectarian alliance like Iraqiya in 2010 Went after independent commissions Asserted control over ISF Refused to integrate sahwa Ignored parliament Issued warrants for rivals like VP Hashemi Attacked Kurds over oil policy Tried to deter foreign investment in KRG Gave positions to other Shiite parties to win support Promoted corruption Went after Sadr Used Asaib Ahl Al-Haq against Sadr Used Iran and Russia to balance US influence Blamed Saudis for violence Argued Sunnis hate Shiites

 

Apr 30 Iraq parliamentary elections PM Maliki’s State of Law would win but he would be denied a

third term due to his handling of the Islamic State 60% voter turnout

(Musings On Iraq Opinions On The 2014 Elections By Iraq Observers)

(Musings On Iraq Another Election Surprise For Iraq?)

(Musings On Iraq Interview A Look At Iraq’s 2014 Election Interview With Reidar Visser)

Apr 30 KRG parliamentary elections 1^st in 8 years

Apr 30 Anbar tribes claimed Baghdad agreed to some of protesters’ demands to end

            fighting Didn’t happen

Apr 30 ISIS ideologue Binali said that group didn't have to hold territory for Muslims to pledge allegiance

to it Was setting stage for declaration of Islamic State

Apr 30 Report KRG govt workers not paid March and April Blamed Baghdad for not sending monthly

budget payments Withheld due to disputes over budget and oil

Apr 30 ISCI’s Hakim called for National Alliance of Shiite parties to be reformed

(Musings On Iraq Re-Forming National Alliance May Be Waste Of Time For Iraq’s Shiite Parties)

 

May 1 Turkey said KRG started independent exports through its new pipeline Started end of Apr Baghdad

stopped budget payments in protest

May 1 Report Lots of problems with new voter cords Some didn’t work ISF and others got duplicates

Some given to dead people

 

May 2 Zawahiri said that ISIS had always pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda

May 2 Naqshibandi and ISIS fought in Diyala for 3 months Report Naqshibandi okayed

            killing ISIS members in Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq More Reports Of Insurgent In-Fighting In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 2 Ground forces commander Gen Ghidan said Amiriya Fallujah in east Anbar cleared of insurgents

May 2 Report election observers found parties replaced and forged ballots in Anbar Said Election Comm

accepted ballot boxes that were marked for violations and boxes that had not been counted

 

May 3 Report Ansar al-Sunna declared war on ISIS in Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq More Reports Of Insurgent In-Fighting In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 3 Election Comm said over 100 ballot boxes tampered with in KRG Most were connected to PUK

 

May 4 Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri said that ISIS fighting in Syria was a disaster

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 4 Fighting between Ansar al-Sunna and ISIS in Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

May 4 Sadrists said talks with ISCI Kurds and Allawi to block Maliki from 3^rd

            term as PM

May 4 Human Rights Watch report Govt not helping people flee fighting in Anbar 8 people in Fallujah

and Ramadi said they saw ISF kill displaced

May 4 Speaker of the House Boehner said US troops should stay in Iraq past the Dec withdrawal deadline

Came after trip to Iraq where he met PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq U.S. Steps Up Efforts To Let Troops Stay In Iraq Past Withdrawal Date)

 

May 5 Report Fighting between Naqshibandi and Ansar al-Sunna vs ISIS in Hamrin Mountains 2

complained about ISIS kidnapping and killings its members

(Musings On Iraq More Reports Of Insurgent In-Fighting In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 5 Ansar al-Sunna attacked home of ISIS leader in west Kirkuk ISIS pushed out of Riyad sub-dist by

Ansar al-Sunna

May 5 ISF claimed it cleared most of Saqlawiya Anbar but fighting continued there

 

May 7 Meetings in Irbil and Amman with sheikhs failed to end fighting in Anbar

May 7 Iraqi forces assault on Fallujah failed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

 

May 8 US restarted training for Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service in Jordan

 

May 9 Anti terror police claimed 90% of Ramadi cleared of ISIS when insurgents still occupied large

            areas of city

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Government Admits To Losing Control Of Parts Of Ramadi)

May 9 PM Maliki ordered launch of op to free Fallujah from insurgents Failed in few days

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

 

May 11 Gen Austin and US diplomats met PM Maliki who asked for drones and air strikes

            Obama turned him down

May 11 Protest in Basra about lack of electricity

May 11 ISIS spokesman Adnani released video saying ISIS was following true path of Al Qaeda while

Zawahiri had split the jihadist movement and only cared about promoting himself

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 11 ISF still fighting in Saqlawiya Anbar after Anbar Ops Command said it was cleared

 

May 12 Ground forces cmdr Gen Ghidan said Amiriya Fallujah had been cleared of insurgents

May 12 Report Election observers found parties replaced ballots and forged them in Anbar Election Com

accepted ballot boxes that were marked for violations and others without counting contents

May 12 ISF said Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr dist cleared of insurgents Was still ISIS base

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

 

May 13 ISF claimed progress in Fallujah op MPs and experts warned that ISF failing due to bad logistics

ISF took Halabsa Albu Alwan Nassaf Amiriya Fallujah Sijr Amal Would fail to free Fallujah

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

May 13 ISIS began car bomb wave

May 13 Iraq asked Turkey to follow 2010 trade agreement and not export oil for KRG Maliki govt

stopped monthly budget payments to KRG for not meeting its oil export quota set in budget

May 13 Report KRG turned to private investors and companies for money to make up for Baghdad not

sending monthly budget payments Official said KRG got $417 mil loans from donors Oil companies loaned $258 mil Oil exports were going to pay them back KRG would not be able to pay its debts

 

May 15 Water Dir workers in Sulaymaniya Medical Univ in Irbil Teachers union in Kalar on strike over

not being paid KRG lacked money after Baghdad cut off monthly payments over budget and oil dispute

May 15 Babil police launched 2^nd operation to clear Jurf al-Sakhr after it was declared freed 3 days ago

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

May 15 Video of State of Law MP in Qadisiya handing out land deeds in return for votes Fined by Election

Comm PM Maliki also handed out land titles During 2012 no confidence vote MPs asked for patronage in return for votes Maliki offered jobs for votes

 

May 16 Reports of barrel bombing and indiscriminate shelling of Fallujah by ISF leading to

large displacement of civilians

(Musings On Iraq Human Cost Of Government Shelling And Air Strikes On Iraq’s Fallujah)

 

May 17 Sheikh Hayes blamed protesters for creating environment for return of insurgency

in Anbar

May 17 4 Kurdish parties accused PUK of cheating in Sulaymaniya voting

 

May 18 Head of Mosul intelligence claimed he received report ISIS planning to attack

            Mosul and told Ninewa Operations Command

May 18 Babil police chief claimed Jurf al-Sakhr mostly cleared Town actually wouldn’t

            be freed until Oct

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

May 18 Financial experts warned Iraqi economy heading towards recession

May 18 Report that 400,000 people fled Fallujah due to shelling and barrel bombing by ISF

(Musings On Iraq Human Cost Of Government Shelling And Air Strikes On Iraq’s Fallujah)

 

May 19 Election results announced PM Maliki’s State of Law won 92 seats Increase from 89 in 2010

Came in 1^st in 10 provinces

May 19 Sulaymaniya Educ dept went on strike over not getting paid and protests in 2

            towns over lack of services in KRG

May 19 ISF went on rampage in Khalis, Diyala after checkpoint attacked Burned mosque

            fields 2 houses

 

May 20 Iraqi intel warned army that large ISIS attack on Mosul coming in June

May 20 Iraqi army said it was surrounding Fallujah Said it controlled Saqlawiya for 2^nd time but untrue

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

May 20 Electricity and Municipality depts along with teachers in Sulaymaniya protested over not being

            paid salaries Was due to budget dispute with Baghdad

May 20 KRG oil started being loaded on tanker in Turkey for first time

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

May 21 Report 2006 Al Qaeda in Iraq said it was a state even though didn’t hold any territory Caused

disagreement within jihadist community 

May 21 Iraq Amb to US Faily wrote letter to Asst Sec State McGurk and VP Biden’s natl sec adv Sullivan

asking US for military aid training advisors drone flights and air strikes against IS US didn’t respond

 

May 22 KRG provincial election results released Gorran won most seats in Sulaymaniya

May 22 Oil Ministry warned potential buyers not to buy 1^st shipment of independent KRG

oil

May 22 Mutahidun and Sadrists rejected 3^rd term for Maliki

May 22 Report 100s of govt workers protesting since Jan in Sulaymaniya Dohuk Hawler over not being

paid KRG in debt and financial crisis due to dispute with Baghdad over oil and budget

 

May 23 Babil Operations Command claimed Jurf al-Sakhr freed from IS Would not be

            liberated until Oct 2014

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

May 23 Gorran accused PUK of cheating in Sulaymaniya vote

May 23 KRG said it sold 1^st tanker of independent oil exports Oil Ministry filed legal

            papers over sale Also took legal action against Turkey for facilitating sale

May 23 2 mass graves found in Najaf Were victims of govt putting down 1991 uprising

(Musings On Iraq Saddam’s Deadly Legacy Mass Grave Discovered In Najaf Dating From 1991 Uprising)

 

May 25 Anbar Operations Command claimed 90% of Ramadi freed ISIS still occupied

            major parts of city

May 25 Source at Anbar Operations Command said 40 attempts to take Fallujah from Jan-May

            2014 and all failed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

May 25 Sadrists threatened to go into opposition if Maliki got 3^rd term as PM

 

May 26 Jihadist intellectual Maqdisi said talks to heal ISIS-Al Qaeda rift had failed Said Abu Bakr al-

Bahgdad and his followers were deviants and called on ISIS members to join Jabhat Al-Nusra

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 26 Report Analysts thought rift between National Alliance and PM Maliki would grow State of Law

MP said since it had most seats it would not listen to others about giving Maliki 3^rd term Sadrist spokesman said entire alliance would decide PM

 

May 27 3rd operation to clear Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil four days after declared freed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

May 27 Protest in Nasiriya over lack of electricity and services

May 27 Report Iran pushing PUK to support 3^rd term for Maliki

May 27 Report KRG said its independent oil sales would pay for its govt workers Had to since Baghdad

cut off monthly budget payments to protest KRG’s exports Oil sales not enough to make up for money from Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

May 28 ISIS killed 8 Naqshibandi fighters in Baiji

(Musings On Iraq Clashes Between the Islamic State and the Baathist Naqshibandi As Both Try To Expand)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 28 Peshmerga Min punished Peshmerga who protested not getting paid in Sulaymaniya

May 28 Iraqi intelligence received report on neighborhoods in Mosul ISIS would attack in June

 

May 29 Report National Alliance started talks about forming govt without Maliki being PM Said State of

Law said Maliki only candidate without talking with it

 

May 30 Ramadi protest leader said Sunni autonomy was way to go and rejected

            armed struggle

May 30 Protest in Qadisiyah over lack of services and development

May 30 Report Iran funding Asaib Ahl Al-Haq operations in Fallujah and Jurf al-Sakhr

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

 

May 31 ISIS kidnapped and killed 8 Naqshibandi members in Baiji who would not

            give it allegiance

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

May 31 Operation started to clear Saqlawiya north of Fallujah in Anbar

 

Jun 1 ISIS leader ambushed and killed by Naqshibandi in Hamrin Mts, Diyala in

retaliation for ISIS killing 8 Naqshibandi Fighting between 2 over few days left 70 dead

(Musings On Iraq Clashes Between the Islamic State and the Baathist Naqshibandi As Both Try To Expand)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Jun 2 Turkey said KRG had right to sell its oil internationally KRG oil pipped through Turkey to ports for

fee

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jun 3 11 tribes in Fallujah district declared war on ISIS

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 3 ISIS killed Mohammed Khamis head of Ramadi Awakening Council

Jun 3 Diyala govt said 20 insurgents killed in fighting between ISIS and Naqshibandi last 2 months Said

ISIS trying to dominate other groups

(Musings On Iraq Clashes Between the Islamic State and the Baathist Naqshibandi As Both Try To Expand)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Jun 3 Report After KRG exported 1^st shipment of oil independently oil companies agreed to provide loans

to cover its budget deficit Would lead to growing debt for KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jun 4 ISIS head of Military Council Bilawi killed by Iraqi special forces

Jun 4 Babil police chief press conference with 6 prisoners confessing to car bombing

            then posted 4 of them executed on his Facebook hours later

Jun 4 Report State of Law delegation went to Iran and got backing for 3^rd term for Maliki

 

Jun 5 Maliki said ISIS were being chased like rats and were incapable of fighting the tribes and

            Iraqi army

Jun 5 Report ISIS demanded Army of Mujahadeen in Anbar give it allegiance

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 5 ISIS launched large scale raid upon Samarra Seized several districts before beaten

            back

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq And The Levant Storm Samarra In Salahaddin)

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 5 Afwaj al-Kafi Iraqi militia fighting in Syria deployed to Samarra Said it was protector of holy sites

Jun 5 Mosul intel chief warned that ISIS would attack 2 neighborhoods in city That night

            ISIS began its attack upon Mosul eventually taking city

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq Launches Battle of Ninewa In Mosul)

(Musings On Iraq Background To The Fall Of Mosul, Insurgents’ Relentless Attacks Upon Security Forces Set Stage For The Taking Of City)

Jun 5 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq recruiting more fighters Was fighting in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 5 Turkey said 2^nd tanker of oil exports by Kurds through independent pipeline was

being loaded KRG said 1^st tanker of independent oil exports had been sold but was actually told to leave Morocco’s waters

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 5 Report Tribes in Anbar split Sheikhs Hayes and Abu Risha aligned with govt Sheikh Sulaiman and

Dulaimi and Albu Assaf Albu Jabr Albu Asaf Albu Maree Albu Diab with insurgency

 

Jun 6 37 Sunnis abducted shot and dumped in Samarra in separate incidents Came after ISIS raid on city

day before

Jun 6 ISIS attacked counter-terror bureau in Baquba Diyala

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 6 ISIS continued attack on Mosul Took 5 neighborhoods

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq Launches Battle of Ninewa In Mosul)

(Musings On Iraq Background To The Fall Of Mosul, Insurgents’ Relentless Attacks Upon Security Forces Set Stage For The Taking Of City)

Jun 6 Head of Ninewa Ops Command Gen Gharawi ordered defensive line in western Mosul

Jun 6 PM Maliki told Gen. Gharawi to hold city until Gen Ghidan ground forces commander and

            Gen Qanbar chief of staff arrived

 

Jun 7 ISIS stormed Anbar Univ in Ramadi taking hostages and stole 15 bil dinars

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 7 US warned Baghdad that ISIS moving forces from Syria to attack Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq Launches Battle of Ninewa In Mosul)

(Musings On Iraq Background To The Fall Of Mosul, Insurgents’ Relentless Attacks Upon Security Forces Set Stage For The Taking Of City)

Jun 7 US wanted Peshmerga to move into eastern Mosul Ninewa Gov Nujafi in Irbil got assurance that

Peshmerga would help fight IS in city PM Maliki said no

(Musings On Iraq review The Rise of Islamic State, ISIS and the New Sunni Revolution)

Jun 7 PM Maliki told US 9 brigades would be sent to Mosul US said wouldn’t arrive in time

Jun 7 Gen Ghidan ground forces commander Gen Qanbar chief of staff took over defense of

            Mosul

Jun 7 Badr said it would protect Askari shrine in Samarra against insurgent threat

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

 

Jun 8 Interpol issued arrest warrant for Iraqi official for buying fake bomb detectors Nothing

            done

Jun 8 ISIS reinforcements from Syria arrived in Mosul to attack last section of city under govt

            control

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq Launches Battle of Ninewa In Mosul)

(Musings On Iraq Background To The Fall Of Mosul, Insurgents’ Relentless Attacks Upon Security Forces Set Stage For The Taking Of City)

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 8 ISIS sleeper cells in Mosul joined fight

Jun 8 Gen Ghidan ground forces commander Gen Qanbar chief of staff said they were

            withdrawing to eastern Mosul while ISIS attacking city

Jun 8 Many ISF thought Ghidan and Qanbar going to east Mosul was a retreat and began

            deserting

Jun 8 Police chief told Gov Nujafi they were within mortar range of insurgents Fled Mosul to village

            where Nujafi owned a large ranch

Jun 8 ISIS captured Hawija Zab Riyad Abbasi Rashad Yankaja in Kirkuk Blew up bridge from Amiriya

Fallujah to Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 8 Ninewa Gov Nujafi met with Asst Sec State McGurk in Irbil Asked for aid from US and peshmerga to

defend Mosul

Jun 8 Turkey told Asst Sec State McGurk ISF wasn’t defending Mosul

Jun 8 Asst Sec State McGurk called White House urging Obama admin to fly drones over Mosul to assess

situation McGurk asked KRG to send peshmerga to Mosul Pres Barzani demanded that MP Maliki make request

Jun 8 Asst Sec State McGurk went to Natl Sec Adv Fayad to get MP Maliki to ask KRG for aid in Mosul

KRG Pres Barzani’s chief of staff Hussein talked with Maliki’s chief of staff about same thing

 

Jun 9 Gov Nujafi walked streets of Mosul calling on locals to defend city from ISIS

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq Launches Battle of Ninewa In Mosul)

(Musings On Iraq Background To The Fall Of Mosul, Insurgents’ Relentless Attacks Upon Security Forces Set Stage For The Taking Of City)

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq’s 2014 Uprising And Security Forces Collapse)

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 9 ISIS seized provincial council building in Mosul Maliki govt claimed situation

            in Mosul under control ISF had retreated from all of west Mosul

Jun 9 Police executed 13 prisoners in Mosul Threw grenade into cell killing 6 more

Jun 9 Emergency called in Salahaddin All police ordered on duty to defend Tikrit

            Army was not put on alert

Jun 9 Baathist Naqshibandi joined ISIS summer offensive in Ninewa Salahaddin Kirkuk

Helped take Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jun 9 Car bomb at PUK headquarters in Tuz Kharmato killed 30

 

Jun 10 Gen Ghidan ground forces commander Gen Qanbar chief of staff fled Mosul to

            KRG causing general desertion

Jun 10 ISIS and Naqshibandi took Mosul after 6 days of fighting Gov Nujafi fled to Dohuk 500,000

            began fleeing city

(Musings On Iraq Background To The Fall Of Mosul Insurgents’ Relentless Attacks Upon Security Forces Set Stage For The Taking Of City)

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State Of Iraq Launches Battle of Ninewa In Mosul)

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s 2014 Uprising And Security Forces Collapse)

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jun 10 PM Maliki asked peshmerga to move into Mosul but city already fell Had rejected Kurdish offer of

help earlier

Jun 10 Defense Ministry said it was sending Golden Division to retake Mosul Never arrived

Jun 10 PM Maliki declared that government would retake Mosul in 24 hrs

(Musings On Iraq review The Rise of Islamic State, ISIS and the New Sunni Revolution)

Jun 10 PM Maliki asked U.S. for military aid to fight ISIS Maliki claimed US didn’t help

            until August but US did start sending limited supplies next day

Jun 10 ISIS set up checkpoints around Mosul to arrest and execute members of ISF and Jabour

            tribe

Jun 10 ISIS took Badush prison Ninewa Separated Sunni from Shiite prisoners Executed 670 Shiite

prisoners over next few days

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jun 10 ISIS seized Shirqat Suleiman Beq Albu Ajeel and Baiji weapons depot without a fight Also took

Hawija Zab Abbasid Riyad in SWKirkuk Started attacks outside of Tikrit Attacked Abu Ghraib in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Northern Front Stalemate In Salahaddin)

Jun 10 When word that Mosul fell ISF began deserting in Tikrit and Baiji

Jun 10 Def Min told retreating troops from Ninewa Salahaddin Kirkuk to rally in Taji, Baghdad

Jun 10 Peshmerga moved into Kirkuk city and Hawija in Kirkuk Tuz Kharmato in Salahaddin Khanaqin

            in Diyala after ISF began retreating Lost most of Khanaqin to insurgents

Jun 10 PM Maliki called for militias to help fight insurgents Kataib Hezbollah sent to Mosul Ended up in

Samarra Salahaddin

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Jun 10 Iranian Revolutionary Guard said to be mobilizing and entering Iraq to aid govt

(Musings On Iraq Continued Collapse Of Iraqi Security Forces And Fighting In Baghdad Leads to Militia Mobilization And Arrival Of Iran)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

Jun 10 Report state owned Turkish Energy Company was in talks with Exxon about its contracts in KRG

Exxon wanted to be assured that Turkey would allow independent KRG oil exports despite objections of Baghdad US rep to Iraq McGurk was working on deal where KRG would export through Oil Min while Baghdad would pay KRG for its exports PM Maliki refused paying KRG Kurds didn’t want to work with Baghdad

Jun 10 Parliament said it would have an emergency session on the fall of Mosul on Jun 12

 

Jun 11 PM Maliki issued Decree 301 to organize volunteer for popular army Used militias

Jun 11 ISIS executed 17 police at Mosul airport 12 ISF in Dawasa Ninewa 10 ISF in Riyad Kirkuk Burned

all the police stations in Zab Kirkuk  

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State of Iraq’s 2014 Uprising And Security Forces Collapse)

Jun 11 ISIS kidnapped staff of Turkish consulate in Mosul

Jun 11 Salahaddin provincial police chief went to Camp Speicher demanding army help vs ISIS

            Turned down

Jun 11 ISIS seized Tikrit without a fight 30 police executed Burned provincial council building

            and 4 police stations in Tikrit

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 11 ISIS took Baiji burned down police station Also took Dour district

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Northern Front Stalemate In Salahaddin)

Jun 11 Separate reports that Tikrit and Baiji had been freed by ISF proved false

Jun 11 ISIS attack upon Samarra turned back by ISF

Jun 11 ISIS spokesman Adnani said that group was going to attack Baghdad and overthrow

            government

Jun 11 US said it was sending Hellfire missiles, light and medium weapons to aid Iraq PM Maliki

            later claimed this didn’t happen

Jun 11 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq said that it would defend Iraq and holy shrines Accused of kidnapping 53 Sunni

men in Hillah Babil and executing them

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 11 Ammar Hakim said he was calling for volunteers to fight insurgency

Jun 11 Sadr called for his Saraya al-Salam militia to protect Iraq’s shrines from insurgents

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr And Iraq’s Militia Mobilization)

Jun 11 Militiamen took 137 men from Latifiya market south Baghdad 30 later found dead

Jun 11 150 man Iranian Revolutionary Guard unit sent into Iraq to assist govt against insurgents

(Musings On Iraq Continued Collapse Of Iraqi Security Forces And Fighting In Baghdad Leads to Militia Mobilization And Arrival Of Iran)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

Jun 11 UNAMI warned that it didn't have funds to deal with displacement crisis caused

            by insurgency

Jun 11 Rosneft said it would buy 1^st oil tanker full of KRG oil KRG said it would keep all export revenue

Originally said it would share it with Baghdad due to dispute over budget

 

Jun 12 ISIS announced it was imposing sharia on Mosul ISF members had to repent or be executed Killed

84 ISF and Imam of grand mosque in Mosul who refused to support group

(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State of Iraq Attempts To Create A State in Syria And Iraq Interview With Aaron Zelin)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review Mosul Under ISIS, Eyewitness Accounts Of Life In The Caliphate)

Jun 12 ISIS committed Camp Speicher massacre executing cadets in Salahaddin

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 12 ISIS seized 10 towns in Salahaddin and attacked Amerli

Jun 12 ISIS announced that it was going to execute ISF in Dhuluiya Salahaddin Told tribes they had to

turn over ISF or they would be killed Refused and tribes starting fighting ISIS

Jun 12 Jabour tribe fighting ISIS in Alam east of Tikrit

Jun 12 Army and Sahwa withdrew from three major entrances to Fallujah

Jun 12 Insurgents attacked and seized Kubaisa and Saqlawiya in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 12 ISF withdrew from Qaim and Mazra army base without a fight in Anbar ceding

            Syrian border to insurgents

Jun 7 ISIS stormed Anbar Univ in Ramadi taking hostages and stole 15 bil dinars

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 12 ISF withdrew from Sadiya district Diyala Insurgents burned abandoned ISF base in district

(Musings On Iraq Continued Collapse Of Iraqi Security Forces And Fighting In Baghdad Leads to Militia Mobilization And Arrival Of Iran)

Jun 12 Emergency session of parliament to discuss security crisis cancelled due to lack of quorum

Jun 12 Supreme Council announced that it sent first unit of militiamen to fight insurgents

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Jun 12 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq set up checkpoints near Dhuluiya Salahaddin Opened fire on 3 vehicles killing

12 civilians 3 Sunni men kidnapped and killed by Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in Sadiya, Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 12 Iran’s Quds Force commander Gen Suleimani went to Baghdad to help coordinate security policy

against insurgents

(Musings On Iraq What Was Behind Iran’s Social Media Campaign Promoting Gen Suleimani In Iraq?)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

Jun 12 2 Brigades of Iranian Revolutionary Guard deployed to Samarra Najaf and Karbala to protect

shrines

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Jun 12 Iranian Revolutionary Guard deployed to Iran-Iraq border Iran air force put on alert

(Musings On Iraq Continued Collapse Of Iraqi Security Forces And Fighting In Baghdad Leads to Militia Mobilization And Arrival Of Iran)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

 

Jun 13 Ayatollah Sistani issues fatwa for men to defend country Meant joining ISF but led to creation of

            Hashd al-Shaabi

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Tel Avav Univ’s Rachel Kantz Federa on Ayatollah Sistani’s Fatwa To Defend Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Interview Will The Hashd Al-Shaabi Change The Face Of Iraqi Politics? Interview With Fanar Haddad)

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Jun 13 3 Iraqi army divisions disintegrated in collapse of Mosul Tikrit etc

Jun 13 North Oil Company shut down oil to Baiji refinery because of fighting

Jun 13 ISIS demanded that people return to their jobs in Mosul after taking city Threatened to whip public

workers that didn’t Said it would run city govt Said it would destroy graves and shrines as polytheistic Banned smoking and drinking Told women had to dress decently

(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State of iraq Attempts To Create A State in Syria And Iraq Interview With Aaron Zelin)

Jun 13 After Mosul fell city council formed of ex-officers Baathists insurgents Asked IS foreign fighters to

leave IS refused Said all groups had to give it allegiance withdraw from Mosul or be killed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 13 Report up to 25 tankers with ISIS oil travelled into Kurdish controlled areas

            of Tuz Kharmato per day

Jun 13 Insurgents seized police station in western Ramadi

Jun 13 Transportation Min and Badr head Amiri given control of security in Diyala by Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

Jun 13 Report 500 Iranian Revolutionary Guards deployed to Diyala Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani

was in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq What Was Behind Iran’s Social Media Campaign Promoting Gen Suleimani In Iraq?)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

Jun 13 Sunni imam and two aides arrested in Baghdad by ISF later found dead

Jun 13 Report Naqshibandi took part in seizure of Mosul Put up pictures of Saddam in city after it was

taken Were rumors Naqshibandi head Duri would give speech in Mosul but didn’t ISIS told group had 24 hrs to take down Saddam pictures ISIS held meeting of all insurgent groups Told them they could not fly any flag or post images Said ISIS was running city

Jun 13 Report Before Mosul PM Maliki called for militias to fight insurgents Badr Kataib Hezbollah

Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba Kataib Sayid al-Shuhada Asaib Ahl Al-Haq others responded Moved men from Syria to Iraq Recruited new men Deployed in Anbar Salahaddin Baghdad Backed by Quds Force

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 13 CENTCOM head Gen Austin authorized surveillance flights flown out of Qatar over Iraq to assess

security situation

 

Jun 14 Ayatollah Sistani issued clarification that his fatwa to defend country was for men to join the ISF

not militias

(Musings On Iraq Interview Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Tel Avav Univ’s Rachel Kantz Federa on Ayatollah Sistani’s Fatwa To Defend Iraq)

Jun 14 12 imams in Mosul executed by ISIS for not giving it allegiance 128 bodies of soldiers and police

executed by ISIS in Mosul recovered

Jun 14 Ishaqi Dhuluiya Mutasim in Salahaddin declared freed by ISF and tribes Still fighting

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Northern Front Stalemate In Salahaddin)

Jun 14 ISF and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq claimed cleared insurgents out of Muqdadiya, Diyala Were still there

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 14 ISF withdrew from Rawa and Ana giving Anbar border to ISIS Fighting in Hit

            Habaniya Ramadi Jalawla in Diyala taken by ISIS Surrounded Amerli in Salahaddin

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 14 ISF started op to try to retake Saqlawiya, Anbar

Jun 14 Report Peshmerga told remaining ISF in Kirkuk city to leave

Jun 14 Sadr called for military parades by his militia in all the provinces to show their

            strength in face of insurgents

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr And Iraq’s Militia Mobilization)

Jun 14 1500 Iranian troops in Khanaqin district Diyala and 500 in Wasit to secure

            Iran-Iraq border areas

Jun 14 1^st Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps member killed in fighting in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Fifth Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force Member Dies In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

Jun 14 Report PM Maliki called for militias to help ISF in early 2014 Integrated into military command

under commander and chief’s office Operated throughout Baghdad belts Mar ISF and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq killed 23 civilians in Buhriz Diyala Publicly govt and militias denied they were operating After Mosul fell came out publicly

Jun 14 Report differences emerging between ISIS and Naqshibandi over control of Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Jun 15 Baghdadi issued audio message saying ISIS was going to create caliphate

Jun 15 ISIS began posting pictures online of Camp Speicher massacre

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

Jun 15 Insurgents attacked power plant that supplied electricity to most of Anbar Driven

            off

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 15 Insurgents attacked and turned back at Tal Afar, Ninewa 50 prisoners executed in

            Tal Afar by govt forces

Jun 15 ISF fled Qara Tapa, Diyala and peshmerga moved in

Jun 15 Report 60 villages in northern and northeast Diyala under insurgent control Nashibandi Islamic

Army Revolutionary Tribes helping ISIS

Jun 15 Yazidi leader in Sinjar district asked KRG for protection from insurgents

Jun 15 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq leader Khazali blamed ISIS Baathists Kurds regional countries for security crisis

in Iraq Claimed Pres Barzani worked with Baathists in army to help take Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Jun 15 Report Militias had been fighting alongside ISF for months in Anbar Baghdad Diyala Babil Militias

still trained in Iran Kataib Hezbollah leader said Sunni politicians helped ISIS

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

Jun 15 Report Maliki govt made partial budget payments to KRG in Jan and Feb No payments from Mar-

May

Jun 15 Report Soldiers and Federal Police said they were ordered to withdraw from Mosul Not told where

to withdraw to Many switched to civilian clothes and left Mosul police heard army and Federal Police withdrawing and fled 1 brigade didn’t get order to withdraw and wiped out by insurgents PM Maliki blamed Sunni and Kurdish politicians and senior army cmdrs for fall of Mosul

Jun 15 274 US soldiers sent to assess situation in Iraq and coordinate with Iraqi army Obama admin was

standoffish in helping Baghdad much until PM Maliki out of office Blamed him for fall of Mosul

(Musings On Iraq review Degrade And Destroy, The Inside Story Of The War Against the Islamic State, From Barack Obama To Donald Trump)

 

Jun 16 All work at Baiji refinery shut down because of insurgency

Jun 16 US and Iranian diplomats met to discuss Iraq and ISIS

Jun 16 ISIS issued orders to start destroying churches in Mosul

Jun 16 12 insurgents killed in fighting between Naqshibandi and ISIS for control of Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 16 Insurgent Military Council in charge of Mosul criticized ISIS for trying to

            establish control over city

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jun 16 ISIS seized Hawija in Kirkuk and Tal Afar in Ninewa Attacked Habaniya air base in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 16 Hashd killed 50 prisoners at Baquba police station

Jun 16 KRG asked for 25% of Iraqi budget claiming its population had grown

Jun 16 Maliki loyalist MP Fatlawi blamed Kurds for helping insurgents take Mosul

(Musings On Iraq review The Rise of Islamic State, ISIS and the New Sunni Revolution)

Jun 16 Liwa Abu Fadhl al-Abbas Iraqi militia in Syria sets up branch in Iraq and

            deployed 1500 fighters to Samarra

(Musings On Iraq Abu Fadhl Al-Abbas Brigade From Fighting In Syria To Iraq)

Jun 16 KRG Premier Barzani went to Tehran to assure it about its seizure of Kirkuk

            and disputed areas

Jun 16 2^nd Iranian Rev Guard member killed during war vs IS Officially died in accident in Karbala

Friends claimed he was a martyr in war

(Musings on Iraq Fifth Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force Member Dies In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

 

Jun 17 Security operation to clear Qaim, Anbar began Tuz Kharmato declared freed

Jun 17 Rawa Ana Saqlawiya Amiriya Fallujah Ramadi Khalidiya in Anbar all

            declared freed Half of them weren’t

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

Jun 17 Insurgents attacked 3 neighborhoods in Baquba, Diyala along with Hit

            and Garma in Anbar

Jun 17 Prisoner that was wounded when Badr and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq executed 43 prisoners in Baquba

            was taken from hospital by police and killed

(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jun 17 Maliki dismissed Gen Gharawi head of Ninewa Ops Command for fall of

            Mosul

Jun 17 Hezbollah’s Nasrallah said that Shiite shrines in Iraq needed to be

            protected from insurgents Said that Hezbollah would send men to fight in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Jun 17 Joint Chiefs head Gen Dempsey told chairman of NATO’s Military Council 3 futures for Iraq 1

Restore status quo 2 Loose federation 3 Sunnis Shiites Kurds go own way Dempsey thought last most likely

 

Jun 18 Tal Afar, Ninewa declared cleared but wasn’t

Jun 18 Maliki said he would not step down in return for U.S. military aid

Jun 18 Joint Chiefs head Gen Dempsey and Sec of Def Hagel told congress Iraqi govt had

            to reach out to Sunnis to end insurgency

Jun 18 Insurgents kidnapped 17 Shiites from Tuz Kharmato and executed them

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jun 18 Insurgents began attack upon Baiji refinery

Jun 18 4th security operation in Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil began
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jun 18 Report PM Maliki said Saudis behind IS’s return Said Saudis were responsible for crimes close to

genocide in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, The Saudi Struggle For Iraq)

 

Jun 19 PM Maliki ordered govt to pay salaries and benefits to Hashd

Jun 19 Report Obama called for more inclusive govt in Iraq in order to receive US aid State Dept’s McGurk

denied US was pushing for removal of Maliki Speaker Nujafi and Kurds hoped statements would help them oust Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Replacing Maliki No Panacea For Iraq)

Jun 19 Joint Chiefs head Gen Dempsey told CENTCOM cmdr Gen Austin Obama thinking of 2 different

policies One contain disrupt defeat IS with training and advising ISF Partnering with Iraqis Air Strikes Other limited advisory role to govt to just help Iraq with planning war Provide intel and logistics to ISF Only have air strikes to protect Americans

Jun 19 Joint Chiefs head Gen Dempsey said unified Iraq not only way to protect US interests in MidEast

Said if Iraq broke apart US should move towards KRG

Jun 19 ISIS set up 8 courts in Mosul to run city Was pushing out other insurgent

            groups that helped take city

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State of iraq Attempts To Create A State in Syria And Iraq Interview With Aaron Zelin)

(Musings On Iraq review Mosul Under ISIS, Eyewitness Accounts Of Life In The Caliphate)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 19 Sadr offices announced taking volunteers for new Peace Brigades to

            fight insurgency

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr And Iraq’s Militia Mobilization)

Jun 19 Fighting in Saqlawiya Anbar after it was declared freed Ishaqi Salahaddin declared freed 2^nd time

but fighting continued

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Northern Front Stalemate In Salahaddin)

 

Jun 20 Tanker sold Kurdish oil to Israel exported through KRG’s independent pipeline to

            Turkey

Jun 20 Fighting between Naqshibandi and ISIS in Hawija killed 17 as IS tried to assert

            control over area

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 20 45 bodies found executed by insurgents in Tigris River in Salahaddin

Jun 20 Turkman leaders in Tuz Kharmato said happy Peshmerga moved into city but

            wanted power sharing

Jun 20 Sistani spokesman called for new govt that “avoids past mistakes” Most took

            that as criticism of PM Maliki

Jun 20 Report ISIS had huge stock of money Manages money from Syria Local ISIS chapters raise money

Pass 20% to central leadership $8mil/mo from taxes on trade $20 mil/yr in oil sales $30 mil/yr from kidnapping foreigners Has front companies in MidEast

Jun 20 Interview with head of Islamic Army Said Mosul taken by Baathists ex-soldiers tribes

not ISIS Said fighting in Iraq uprising by Iraqis not ISIS Said didn’t believe in creating Islamic state like ISIS Said wanted to make PM Maliki step down and divide Iraq along ethnosectarian grounds

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jun 20 KRG Finance Min from Gorran found KRG Natural Resource Min deposited oil revenue in Turkish

Bank for 1^st time in 2014 Would only make 1 other deposit during yr Turkish bank account suppose dto control oil revenue Claimed most oil money put in German bank and then sent to Kurdistan Intl Bank

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 20 ISF claimed Mutassim in Salahaddin Garma in Anbar freed from insurgents

Jun 20 Report Sunni imam called fighting in Iraq popular revolution Muslim Brotherhood cleric in Qatar

supported insurgency

 

Jun 21 Qaim Rawa Ana Rutba Albu Hayat Jubba in western Anbar all fell to ISIS It also attacked Tuz

Kharmato Salahaddin and turned back

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jun 21 ISF executed 25 prisoners in Rawa before withdrawing

Jun 21 Fighting between Naqshibandi Ansar al-Sunna Islamic Army vs ISIS over control of Hamrin, Diyala

ISIS fought Naqshibandi over control of Riyad, Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 21 ISIS executed 84 ISF in Tikrit

Jun 21 5th security op to clear Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil 3 days after last one

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jun 21 Sadrists paraded in Baghdad Amarah Basra and other locations in south Iraq to show that it was

defending the country

(Musings On Iraq Moqtada al-Sadr And Iraq’s Militia Mobilization)

Jun 21 Report ISIS used to rely upon foreign donations esp from Gulf States Now is largely self-sufficient

 

Jun 22 ISF withdrew from Tal Afar, Ninewa and Qaim Anbar turning them over to ISIS Also took Trebil

and Walid border crossings in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Western Front Is Anbar Next To Fall?)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jun 22 Fighting between ISIS and pro-Naqshibandi tribes in Hawija, Kirkuk for control

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 22 Human Rights Ministry report 480 Shiite prisoners were executed by ISIS

            in Badush prison after Mosul captured

(Musings On Iraq review The ISIS Reader, Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement)

Jun 22 Iraqi forces again claimed Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil freed of insurgents Wasn’t

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jun 22 Report Iraq lost 60 of 243 Army battalions with all of their equipment 5 of Iraq’s

            14 Divisions combat ineffective

Jun 22 Ayatollah Khamenei objected to US sending military advisers to help Iraq against insurgency

            Claimed US supporting Baathists and ISIS

Jun 22 Report 450-500 Iranian Special Forces landed in Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

 

Jun 23 ISIS held large military parade in Mosul after city fell

Jun 23 Fighting between ISIS and Hawija Brigades in Hawija, Kirkuk for control

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 23 Jihad and Reform Front agreed to work with ISIS in summer offensive Said tribal

            revolutionaries would sweep over Anbar

Jun 23 ISIS launched attack upon Baiji refinery Army officers worked out truce with ISIS Then left without

telling troops More than 400 soldiers fled afterward

Jun 23 Babil Governor said police executed 69 prisoners they were moving to Baghdad after convoy

attacked Police sources said prisoners killed in prison

 

Jun 24 Operation to try to free Tal Afar launched and failed

 

Jun 25 Al-Nusra commander on Syrian-Iraq border gave allegiance to ISIS

Jun 25 Ishaqi Salahaddin declared freed 3^rd time in just a few days

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Northern Front Stalemate In Salahaddin)

Jun 25 2 teams of US Special Forces arrived in Baghdad to set up ops center to help with war vs IS 

Worked with Golden Div PM Maliki later denied this

Jun 25 3 ISIS killed by IED laid by Naqshibandi in Riyad Kirkuk ISIS fought Naqshibandi in Sadiya Diyala

Pushed Ansar al-Sunna out of Ajeel Salahaddin

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 25 Report After Mosul fell Hezbollah’s Nasrallah offered to send fighters Jun Nasrallah talked about

defending Shiite shrines in Iraq Hezbollah sent fighters to Iraq in 03 to support Iranian Rev Guard and militias

(Musings On Iraq interview with Naval Postgraduate School’s Ostovar on history of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard)

(Musings On Iraq review Vanguard of the Imam, Religion, Politics, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard)

Jun 25 Iran flew drones out of Baghdad Airport Set up control center at air base in Baghdad Helped

intercept ISIS communications Supplied military equipment Iranian planes landed twice a day in Baghdad with equipment Advised and planned military ops Supported Hashd Mobilized up to 10 divisions along Iraqi border

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Jun 25 Report Sunnis afraid Hashd acting like death squads People disappeared at checkpoints UN said 3^rd

wk of Jun 21 bodies found dumped in Baghdad Said number of bodies going up

Jun 25 Allawi called on PM Maliki to step down for national salvation govt Maliki said that was

unconstitutional

Jun 25 ISIS began destroying 7 Shiite shrines in Tal Afar

 

Jun 26 Report US deployed armed drones out of Kuwait to attack ISIS in Iraq PM Maliki later denied this

Jun 26 Report KRG Natural Resource Min Hawrami claimed KRG oil exports would reach 1 mil/bar/day in

2015 Would require deal with Baghdad Said KRG would share revenue None of that happened

Jun 26 ISF said Tikrit Univ Alam Salahaddin Latifiya Baghdad Mansuriya Diyala all freed Latifiya not

freed PM Maliki wanted victories before parliament met to form new govt

 

Jun 27 Amnesty Intl found 50 prisoners executed in Tal Afar 13 prisoners killed in Mosul 50 prisoners

executed in Baquba Killed by ISF and Hashd

 

Jun 28 Political financier Khamis Khanjar praised ISIS taking Mosul on Al-Arabiya TV

Jun 28 Human Rights Watch report IS told 950 Shiite Turkmen from 2 villages in Ninewa they had to leave

Destroyed 7 Shiite shrines in Tal Afar Took 60 Turkmen hostage

Jun 28 Report Supreme Court said oil dispute between Baghdad and Irbil had to be resolved politically

Didn’t rule on emergency injunction against independent KRG oil exports Said couldn’t ban exports until they were found illegal Oil Min sued KRG for its oil exports and contracts Went nowhere because KRG didn’t show up in court Asked for arbitration against Turkey that was helping KRG’s exports Threatened legal action against oil companies that work in KRG 2022 Supreme Court finally ruled KRG oil law and contracts unconstitutional

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jun 28 Report Maliki govt claimed Tikrit freed Untrue Attacked Tikrit Univ Stalled due to IEDs Tikrit not

freed until Mar 2015 Maliki wanted a victory before parliament met to form new govt

Jun 28 Latifiya south Baghdad Jurf al-Sakhr north Babil ISIS strongholds Continued fighting in Jurf al-

Sakhr despite govt claiming it was cleared twice

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jun 28 Obama authorized several hundred US troops be sent to protect US embassy in Baghdad

 

Jun 29 ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani issued Promised of Allah statement

Said ISIS would form the caliphate and Abu Omar al-Bahgdadi would be the caliph since he was from the Prophet’s Qurayshi tribe Said all Muslims had to give allegiance to the caliph

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jun 29 ISF attacked Saqlawiya in Anbar Hashd attacked Bashir in Kirkuk ISF withdrew from Tikrit Attack

failed PM Maliki ordered op trying to retake Tikrit before parliament met to form new govt

 

Jun 30 ISIS killed Mohammed Khamis head of Ramadi Awakening Council

Jun 30 Report Naqshibandi cmdrs in Diyala said would not join IS Said ideological differences between 2

Jun 30 23 bodies found in Muqdadiya Diyala Mostly sheikhs Hashd blamed

 

Jul 1 IS released recording of Baghdadi declaring a new caliphate

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 1 IS and Naqshibandi fought in Hamrin Mts Diyala leaving 4 dead

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 1 Iran sent 7 Su-25 ground attack planes plus ground crews to Iraq to help with war vs IS

Planes were Iraqi that Saddam sent to Iran during Gulf War and Tehran kept Also sent drones with pilots and air controllers for them

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Jul 1 Pres Barzani said there would be a referendum on Kurdish independence soon

Jul 1 Report Interviewed soldiers from Iraqi army brigade that collapsed during fall of Qaim Anbar Said

never got food or water Commander went to ask for supplies but never returned Told to retreat but got lost and ambushed Division commander accused of wanting publicity more than leading unit

Jul 1 Report on Iraqi army 2^nd Div that collapsed in Mosul Only manned checkpoints and did arrests

Extorted money from businesses Took bribes to release prisoners Officers stole money meant to buy food for troops Sold fuel on black market Officers took part of salaries PM Maliki created patronage network within officer corps Meant unqualified officers got positions Was undermanned underequipped undertrained New cmdr named but didn’t pay bribe to get position Insurgents carried out assassinations of soldiers and their families

 

Jul 2 ISIS head Baghdadi said that the caliphate had been established after the

            humiliation of Muslims at the hands of secularists, nationalists and Baathists

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 2 Report Iranian Rev Guards flying Su-25s in Iraq against IS Planes were from Iraq Flown to Iran during

Gulf War and never returned

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Jul 2 Russia delivered 7 attack helicopters to Iraq Supposed to supply total of 33 helicopters

Jul 2 Human Rights Watch Communication Comm claimed some media supported insurgency and

promoted sectarianism Warned couldn’t report stories detrimental to ISF Said media should report victories by ISF Said couldn’t investigate security situation

Jul 2 Salahaddin governor claimed Tikrit would be freed in days Wouldn’t be freed until 2015

 

Jul 3 ISF claimed parts of Jurf al-Sakhr, Babil cleared Was still under IS control Govt launched 5 ops to try

to secure it

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jul 3 Khalidiya, Anbar cleared by ISF

Jul 3 Report over 2,500 IS cells operating in Baghdad province

Jul 3 Pres Barzani called on KRG parliament to create commission to create referendum

            on KRG independence

Jul 3 Report After 2010 election US cmdr in Iraq Gen Odierno UK Amb Jenkins Turkish Amb Ozcelik Dep

US Amb Ford all against 2^nd term for PM Maliki White House US Amb Hill for Maliki Iranian Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani told Iraqi parties to back Maliki In the end US and Iran both supported Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review The Unraveling, High Hopes And Missed Opportunity In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq How Did The United States Do In Iraq? An Interview With Emma Sky)

(Musings On Iraq Former Ambassador Robert Ford Reflects On U.S. Policy Towards Iraq And Syria)

 

Jul 4 ISIS head Baghdadi gave Friday sermon at Nouri Mosque in Mosul Said ISIS

            would now be the Islamic State ruled by him Caliph Ibrahim

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 4 1^st issue of IS’s English language Dabiq magazine came out saying caliphate was

            a de facto state Called on people to immigrate to the state

Jul 4 Report IS tapped into both pipelines in Ninewa Operating oil wells there Sold refined oil products in

Iraq Smuggled crude to Syria

Jul 4 Fighting between IS and Naqshibandi in Sadiya Diyala

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Jul 4 Funeral for Iranian Rev Guard Colonel who was pilot killed in Samarra

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Jul 4 Report Army freed Awja Salahaddin from Naqshibandi

Jul 4 Sadrists said they would not support any PM candidate from Dawa Ended up backing PM Abadi from

Dawa

 

Jul 6 Report Ayatollah Shahroudi in Iran said that KRG Pres Barzani part of Sunni conspiracy along with

Turkey that supported IS Claimed Kurds Turkey IS wanted to break up Iraq

Jul 6 Report KRG didn’t make enough to pay govt workers KRG dependent upon oil and export route to

Turkey Report didn’t say also dependent upon Baghdad budget payments which it jeopardized through its oil policy

Jul 6 Iran’s Amb to Iraq went to Sulaymaniya Met with Gorran and PUK Told them to support 3^rd term for

PM Maliki

Jul 6 Sadr said State of Law needed to pick new candidate for PM besides Maliki Blamed him for political

and security crisis

 

Jul 7 Report of gun battle between IS and Army of the Mujahdeen when the latter refused to give IS

allegiance in Fallujah

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 7 IS took two small towns and blew up Shiite mosques in both Kidnapped 40 Turkmen in Mosul

 

Jul 8 Tuz Kharmato mayor said IS smuggling 100 tankers/day of oil from Ajeel and other fields in

Salahaddin Doing same in Ninewa

Jul 8 Report Insurgents leaving Fallujah after refusing to swear allegiance to IS Included Mujahdeen Army

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 8 Babil governor denied that insurgents controlled Jurf al-Sakhr Said were only small pockets of

militants 6^th security op started to free dist  

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Southern Front Babil Province Where The Islamic State Has Free Reign)

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

 

Jul 9 Human Rights Watch recorded 61 Sunni civilians killed by Hashd in last month Found 48 killed from

Mar-Apr

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

Jul 9 Report 53 bodies found blindfolded and shot in Babil Asaib Ahl Al-Haq blamed

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

Jul 9 IS kidnaped 60 ex-soldiers from three neighborhoods in Mosul IS took Ziwiya Salahaddin Killed 50

villagers Destroyed 25 homes IS took Azwip Salahaddin executed 15 civilians and started destroying houses

Jul 9 Report IS smuggling oil to KRG Made up to $1 mil/day Stole oil from pipelines storage tanks oil fields

Took over trade by pushing out competitors Peshmerga initially allowed trade then tried to stop it

Jul 9 Report Naqshibandi carrying out assassination campaign vs IS in Diyala Last 2 weeks 2 IS leaders

killed Also gun battles between the two in Salahaddin Kirkuk Anbar Ninewa

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Precarious Relationship Between The Islamic State of Iraq And The Baathist Naqshibandi)

(Musings On Iraq Rise Of The Islamic State And the Fading Away of the Rest of the Iraqi Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 9 Ayatollah Sistani wrote not to PM Maliki saying Iraq needed a leader with popular support

Jul 9 PM Maliki attacked Kurds accusing them of supporting insurgency

 

Jul 10 IS’s Dabiq magazine included article with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi calling for Muslims to conduct

hijra migration to the caliphate

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 10 Iran temporarily closed border to KRG tankers smuggling oil Iran bought up to 25% of KRG oil

production

Jul 10 Kurdish parties said they would boycott cabinet and oppose 3^rd term for PM Maliki after he accused

KRG of supporting insurgency Said Maliki responsible for security failures in Iraq

Jul 10 Iranian delegation in Irbil to lobby KDP-PUK to fight insurgency Also talked with Sunni leaders

Badr’s Amiri met with PUK in Diyala asking for help with security KDP official said it would stay out of war because of opposition to PM Maliki

Jul 10 23 farmers abducted by Hashd in Balad Salahaddin Hashd reportedly kidnapping people at

checkpoints in Kirkuk Up to 170 kidnapped around Samarra

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

 

Jul 11 IS and Naqshibandi fought in Ramadi and Fallujah districts 

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 11 Report After Mosul fell KRG took over Kirkuk Bai Hassan and other oil fields in Kirkuk Told North

Oil Company workers they would be paid if worked for KRG

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jul 11 PM Maliki replaced Foreign Min Zebari with Sharistani Came after Maliki accused Kurds of

supporting insurgents

Jul 11 Report Iraqi soldier said 400 were at Baiji refinery with 50 SWAT Jun insurgents attacked refinery

and got into facility Next day all the army officers fled Soldier said officers cut deal with tribes to leave SWAT main force fighting for refinery

Jul 11 Human Rights Watch ISF and Hashd executed 255 prisoners in 6 cities since Jun 9 All but 1 incident

happened as Iraqis were fleeing insurgents 5 mass executions in Mosul Tal Afar Baquba Jumarkhe Rawa Believed prisoners killed so wouldn’t be freed 1^st incident guards killing 15 prisoners in Mosul Badr and Asaib Al Al-Haq executed prisoners in Diyala and Ninewa

Jul 11 Babil council said 2 parts of Jurf al-Sakhr dist in Babil cleared by ISF backed by Abu al-Fadhl al-

Abbas and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in 6^th offensive Govt claimed dist freed twice

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jul 11 Friday prayers by IS in Mosul mosque called on Sunnis to kill Shabaks in city

Jul 11 Amb Jeffrey wrote piece in response to article that claimed US split over backing PM Maliki after

2010 election Obama admin eventually supported Maliki Jeffrey claimed Maliki had largest bloc so he had right to form new govt Only happened after Supreme Court ruled Maliki could create coalition after vote not who won most seats which happened in previous elections Claimed he was skeptical of Maliki Said US tried alternatives to Maliki such as Abdul Mahdi but didn’t have support Said Allawi was more of a problem than Maliki

(Musings On Iraq review The Unraveling, High Hopes And Missed Opportunity In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq How Did The United States Do In Iraq? An Interview With Emma Sky)

(Musings On Iraq Former Ambassador Robert Ford Reflects On U.S. Policy Towards Iraq And Syria)

 

Jul 12 Naqshibandi head Izzat al-Dhuri welcomed and praised IS’s role in fighting

            against Maliki govt

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

Jul 12 IS fought Naqshibandi in Garma Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 12 Police said it cleared area north of Muqdadiya Diyala Fighting continued

 

Jul 13 Report US assessment of ISF Said forces infiltrated by insurgents and militias Only 50% of units

combat effective Many ISF units dependent upon Hashd US felt it had to intervene before ISF taken over by Hashd

Jul 13 Report Revenues from KRG’s independent oil sales via tankers held in Turkish bank which KRG

couldn’t access

Jul 13 Army claimed it cleared Muqdadiya dist central Diyala of insurgents Were still there

 

Jul 14 IS and Islamic Army fought in northern Diyala Led to 19 dead Report that IS executed Islamic Army

and Naqshibandi members in same area

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 14 Report US military team said ISF incompetent Lacked logistics Cowardice in officer corps No

strategy to fight insurgency 2^nd and 4^th Divs disintegrated in Mosul and Tikrit l 1^st Div lost 2 of 4 brigades in Anbar since start of 2014 Lost its other 2 brigades in Jun and division disintegrated 3^rd Div lost 2 of its brigades

Jul 14 Amnesty Intl IS kidnapped and killed people in every town it took

Jul 14 Dr in Fallujah said 7 parts of the city had been hit by 20 barrel bombs dropped by ISF since start of

2014

Jul 14 Joint Chiefs head Gen Dempsey told CENTCOM head Gen Austin Obama was against military aid

for Iraq as long as PM Maliki in power Dempsey said as long as Maliki in office US would take only limited steps Obama wanted assessment of situation in Iraq and create train and advise plan for ISF US Special Forces team would be sent to Iraq to assess situation Could only write reports

(Musings On Iraq review Degrade And Destroy, The Inside Story Of The War Against the Islamic State, From Barack Obama To Donald Trump)

 

Jul 15 Salim al-Jabouri became speaker of parliament Began more cooperative stance by Sunni leaders

towards PM Maliki and Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Pressure Grows On Iraq’s Premier Maliki To Give Up On A Third Term)

Jul 15 Mujahadeen Army posted flyers in Sadiya Diyala Said it refused to give allegiance to IS

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 15 Offices of Kurdish paper in Baghdad raided by police Told to stop publishing Equipment taken

Threatened staff

Jul 15 Anbar Ops Command said it launched op to clear Albu Ali Jassim Albu Diab Howaz Tash in Ramadi

dist ISF withdrew from Albu Faraj allowing insurgents to move in

Jul 15 ISF dropped barrel bomb on market in Shirqat Salahaddin Air strike on Baiji hospital that killed 11

Jul 15 IS blew up largest and oldest library in Tal Afar

 

Jul 16 Report IS Islamic Army Mujahadeen Army Naqshibandi Tribal Rebel Council Ansar al-Sunna all

in Mosul IS Naqshibandi Ansar al-Sunna strongest Each had control of own section of city

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 16 Report Meeting in Jordan said IS only small part of insurgency Said insurgency revolt against PM

Maliki 1 Sheikh said was a revolt of the oppressed and most fighting done by tribes

Jul 16 ISF attack upon Tikrit ambushed by IS suicide bombers and turned back

Jul 16 KRG said Dana Gas owed it $4.8 mil Dana said KRG owed it Oct 2013 Dana threatened to get

Turkey to seize KRG oil exports unless it was paid Dana went to arbitration in Dec 2013

Jul 16 Report June Hezbollah’s Nasrallah said he was ready to protect shrines in Iraq 250 Hezbollah

advisers in Iraq Coordinated with Iranian Rev Guards and Hashd

Jul 16 IS captured 42 soldiers in Salahaddin and executed them Blew up Shiites mosques in Kirkuk

Mosul Sada Distributed flyers in Mosul telling Christians had to convert pay religious tax or be killed

Jul 16 Spokesman for Ayatollah Najafi said PM Maliki should not be part of new govt Said Shiite clerical

establishment had all agreed upon that

(Musings On Iraq Pressure Grows On Iraq’s Premier Maliki To Give Up On A Third Term)

Jul 16 Report 477,762 people displaced Jan-May mostly due to fighting in Anbar Jun-mid-Jul 408,294

displaced after Mosul and Tikrit fell to insurgents

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s New Refugee Crisis)

 

Jul 17 Report KRG started pumping oil from Kirkuk to its facilities Oil Min Luabi objected Natural

Resource Min and KAR group built new pipeline that connects Kirkuk fields to KRG pipelines Oil Min ordered dismantling of valves to new pipelines Peshmerga seized facilities to stop that

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Jul 17 Report Iranian Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani said to be working in Iraq with 120 advisers 2

reported killed Advisers reportedly helped set up perimeter around Samarra to protect shrine Hezbollah also in Iraq PM Maliki said US offered nothing so he turned to Tehran Iran flying drones for intel Shipping weapons to Hashd Flying Su-25 jets Suleimani said to be directing forces in Baghdad belts

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

Jul 17 Report ISF retreated from Tikrit after failed attempt to free city Still held some govt buildings

Wouldn’t be liberated until 2015 PM Maliki ordered attack on city to try to get victory before parties met to pick next PM

Jul 17 Army and tribes started op to clear Garma Anbar ISF said it freed Latifiya in south Baghdad ISF said

both were freed in June

Jul 17 IS started making houses of Christians in parts of Mosul Led most Christians to flee Also marked

some Shiite homes

 

Jul 18 IS said all minorities in Mosul had to convert to Islam, pay religious tax or die

            Started exodus of Christians from city

(Musings On Iraq review Christianity in Iraq)

Jul 18 Fighting between IS and Naqshibandi in Sadiya Diyala again 3 houses burned

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 18 UN IS carried out executions in Ninewa Salahaddin Kirkuk since it seized Mosul in June Included

ISF prisoners clerics civilians

Jul 18 Report Ninewa Gov Nujafi claimed that Naqshibandi running Mosul as most IS left to fight in

Salahaddin Was untrue Claimed insurgents would eventually fight IS Were already fighting and losing to IS Claimed he might be able to work out deal with Naqshibandi IS had hearts and minds campaign in Mosul Took down checkpoints to free traffic Told shops not to sell western clothes Women govt workers told to go home Promised to pay govt workers

(Musings On Iraq review Mosul Under ISIS, Eyewitness Accounts Of Life In The Caliphate)

(Musings On Iraq Review What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq)

 

Jul 19 IS issued 2^nd order telling Christians had to convert pay religious tax or leave Mosul

 

Jul 20 House bombed in Sadiya Diyala where Naqshibandi leaders were having meeting 7 casualties

Sadiya had seen fighting between Naqshibandi and IS Afterward Naqshibandi created assassination squad to go after IS

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 20 Head of security comm in Diyala govt claimed 95% of Muqdadiya had been cleared during security

op 7 days before army said it controlled entire area

Jul 20 Anbar Ops Command started new operation to clear Saqlawiya Was declared freed in June

Jul 20 Hashd arrested 15 men in Baquba Diyala Killed them and strung up their bodies on poles in city 3

displaced said army and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq killed 18 Sunnis in Nofal Diyala

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

 

Jul 21 Diyala official said 11 killed in gun battle between IS and Ansar al-Islam in Sadiya Started

when Ansar leader refused to give allegiance to IS Naqshibandi killed IS photographer in same area Was major site of conflict between IS and other insurgent groups in province

Jul 21 Mujahadeen Army member said it made tactical alliance with IS Said all groups had gained new

members during summer offensive Tribal leader in Kirkuk was organizer of protests After ISF attacked Hawija he opened talks with ISIS to start insurgent group Said IS and other insurgent groups took Mosul Claimed IS only 10% of insurgency Claimed insurgents were running captured cities while IS was doing heavy fighting Said people wouldn’t accept IS’s Islamic rule in Mosul Claimed IS fighters didn’t want an Islamic state

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jul 21 IS carried out mass arrest of other insurgent groups in Mosul Meant to force other factions to pledge

allegiance to IS Some sheikhs tried to mediate between different groups to stop fighting IS arrested people opposed to forcing Christians out of city IS charged rent on houses in city

Jul 21 IS increasing ops in Baghdad Jul 19 6 car bombs in province Had bases in Baghdad belts Sleeper

cells in city Also clashed with ISF in southern and western towns

Jul 21 Insurgents afraid IS will turn on them and try to dominate like it did in Syria IS killed

insurgents that had not given it allegiance Dhuluiya tribe refused to turn over ISF members to IS Started fighting IS Ziwiya locals fought IS and got town destroyed IS said Ziwiya warning against those that opposed it Jul meeting of insurgent groups in Jordan to try to form umbrella group that didn’t include IS

Jul 21 Defense Min said most of Jurf al-Sakhr had been freed after 6^th op to secure it Anbar Ops

Command said it attacked Garma Niamiya and Rawa in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

 

Jul 22 Naqshibandi rejected IS’s decision to drive Christians out of Mosul Said it believed in brotherhood

of all Iraqis IS gave Christians 24 hrs to leave Mosul Chaldean patriarch said 200,000 Christians had left city

(Musings On Iraq Update On Iraq’s Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi)

Jul 22 IS distributed flyers in Mosul Told Kurds to leave or be killed

Jul 22 Report When locals resisted IS in Alam Salahaddin 30 families were kidnapped and threatened with

death unless town surrendered It did Dhuluiya tribesmen helped police fight IS Govt sent reinforcements forcing IS to withdraw Reinforcements left IS attacked Dhuluiya again Ziwiya fought IS Salahaddin govt and police chief promised help but never came Most of town destroyed

Jul 22 Army said it cleared 4 areas of Hawija Kirkuk Was never cleared IS retreated and returned after ISF

left

Jul 22 PM Maliki met with sheikhs from Anbar Kirkuk Salahaddin Ninewa Promised to support them vs

insurgency

 

Jul 23 Report IS controlled 4 small oil fields in Salahaddin and Ninewa Sold oil and gas Controlled fuel

sales in area under its control Took crude from Ninewa to refineries in Syria to refine into gas and sold it in Mosul Smuggled oil to Turkey

Jul 23 IS blew up Imam Yahya Abu al-Qassim shrine in Shafa Ninewa and Prophet Daniels’ shrines in

Msoul

Jul 23 KRG parliament said KDP and PUK peshmerga would be unified in 6 months Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Divided Kurds, Political Divisions Amongst The Peshmerga Interview With Wladimir van Wilgenburg)

Jul 23 Human Rights Watch ISF carrying out indiscriminate air strikes on 5 Iraqi cities since June Used

barrel bombs Bombed residential areas Recorded 75 civilian deaths Used same tactic on Fallujah from Jan-May 2014

Jul 23 US rep to Iraq McGurk told House he was in Mosul Jun 7 before city attacked Jun 8 Ninewa Gov

Nujafi said 100s of gun trucks crossed from Syria into Ninewa heading for Mosul US confirmed arrival of IS forces from Syria US told PM Maliki’s chief of staff and Def Min Dulaimi about impending IS attack on Mosul Both said situation under control and 9 army brigades were going to Mosul Asked Maliki to ask for Peshmerga help Maliki wanted guarantee that Peshmerga would withdraw after army arrived Jun 9 during IS attack on Mosul Maliki said situation was secure Govt said it would review Peshmerga moving into Mosul Jun 10 day Mosul fell Maliki asked for Peshmerga to move into Mosul Too late IS used social media to say it was heading for Baghdad Led to further collapse of ISF in Tikrit Iraq lost 5 army and Federal Police divisions out of 18

(Musings On Iraq How Northern Iraq Fell To The Insurgency)

 

Jul 24 PUK’s Fuad Masum elected president of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Pressure Grows On Iraq’s Premier Maliki To Give Up On A Third Term)

Jul 24 IS attacked State Company for Pharmaceutical Supplies in Ninewa to capture

            bomb supplies

Jul 24 Report Hashd threatening and forcing Sunnis out of Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

Jul 24 Jalawla Dir in Diyala said Peshmerga had cleared 2 districts Only able to hold areas for 2 hours and

then left because ran out of ammo  

Jul 24 Report IS forcing Shiite Turkmen out of Tal Afar in Ninewa Govt flew 15,000 Turkmen to Baghdad

Najaf Karbala

Jul 24 IS blew up Imam Abdul Oula shrine Aoun al-Din Bin al-Hassan shrine Nabi Younis Shrine Ali al-

Asghir Bin al-Hassan shrine in Mosul

 

Jul 25 Ayatollah Sistani released statement that Iraq’s leaders shouldn’t cling to power Was referring to

PM Maliki seeking 3^rd term

(Musings On Iraq Pressure Grows On Iraq’s Premier Maliki To Give Up On A Third Term)

Jul 25 Report IS put up banner at mosque with rules such as women had to cover faces and dress modestly

in Mosul

(Musings On Iraq review Mosul Under ISIS, Eyewitness Accounts Of Life In The Caliphate)

(Musings On Iraq Review What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq)

Jul 25 IS gave Army of Islam Ansar al-Islam Naqshibandi Mujahadeen Brigades Islamic Army in Sadiya

Diyala 48 hours to give it allegiance or be attacked

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

Jul 25 Report Russia said it would send Mi-35 attack helicopters and Su-25 jets to Iraq Already sent some

in Jun No sign Su-25s used because no pilots ground crews and infrastructure for them

Jul 25 Albu Alwan and Ibrahim bin Ali tribes around Garma Anbar started fighting insurgents

Jul 25 Hashd abducted head of Baghdad govt and 4 bodyguards Took them to secret facility and beat them

Tried to get him to confess that he supported insurgency and planning attack upon Baghdad Released after Speaker Jabouri PM Maliki and Western diplomats intervened Asaib Ahl Al-Haq blamed

 

Jul 26 IS blew up Prophet Sheet Shrine Nabi Jarjees Shrine Qatheeb al-Ban shrine in Mosul

Jul 26 Ansar al-Islam refused to give allegiance to IS in Sadiya Diyala Led to fighting

            between two with IS winning

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Jul 27 Report IS trying to push other insurgent groups out Started arresting and killing those who refuse to

give it allegiance Started rounding up ex-Saddam era officers Threatened Islamic Army Hamas Iraq Mujahadeen Brigades Naqshibandi

Jul 27 Report fighting in 6 areas of Jurf al-Sakhr dist in Babil between IS and ISF Govt launched 6 ops to

secure district Also fighting in Latifiya and Yusifiya south Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jul 27 40 bodies found in ditch in Shirqat Salahaddin Executed by IS

 

Jul 28 Badr left State of Law because opposed 3^rd term for PM Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Pressure Grows On Iraq’s Premier Maliki To Give Up On A Third Term)

 

Jul 29 Report US judge okayed seizing oil tanker with KRG oil in Taxes Came after Iraq filed complaint

saying oil was smuggled because didn’t have authorization from govt

 

Jul 30 IS fought Naqshibandi again in Sadiya Diyala 5 IS fighters killed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Jul 31 Report 200 Iranian soldiers entered Sulaymaniya on way to Kirkuk Assisted by PUK Were there to

help against IS

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Jul 31 Report Hashd had hit lists of IS suspects in Diyala who they wanted to assassinate One man arrested

and body strung up on pole along with 14 other bodies Police officer in Baquba said police share info with Hashd

Jul 31 Babil Ops Command claimed secured Jurf al-Sakhr dist It wasn’t

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Jul 31 Report IS infiltrated back into Jalawla sub-dist NEDiyala after Peshmerga cleared area

Jul 31 Human Rights Watch Hashd detaining and executing Sunni civilians in Baghdad Diyala Babil

Documented 61 killings from Jun to start of Jul 48 killed Mar-Apr Mass executions in Hilla Babil and Muqdadiya Diyala Asaib Ahl Al-Haq blamed for many killings As security deteriorated PM Maliki turned to Hashd Mar Maliki met with advisers and said new security force made up of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Kataib Hezbollah Badr was operating in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

 

Aug 1 IS set deadline for women to follow Islamic dress code in Sadiya Diyala Burned 3 hair salons in area

Also killed 7 Naqshibandi in dispute to control area

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Resurgent Insurgency Interview With Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi)

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

(Musings On Iraq Review What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq)

Aug 1 Report KRG paid $75,000/day to keep 3 tankers with its oil out to sea Baghdad threatened buyers

with legal action Led ships to stay at sea US’s Lyndell Basell said it wouldn’t buy anymore KRG oil Was largest buyer in US 1 tanker went to Texas US court said to seize the boat Sat in intl waters in Gulf of Mexico 1 tanker in South China Sea offloaded some of its oil to another ship to get around legal problems Meant sold for low price KRG spent est $5 mil on 3 tankers so far

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Aug 1 Reports Hezbollah commander killed in Iraq end of Jul in Ninewa Hezbollah sent advisors to help

Iraq vs IS Eset 250-500 Hezbollah advisers in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah’s Role In Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Interview Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Aug 1 Golden Div Army Federal Police volunteers launched 7th op to clear Jurf al-Sakhr Diyala Day after

district declared freed

 

Aug 2 Report IS took control of 2 oil fields in Ninewa Helped fund group

Aug 2 IS started attack upon Sinjar Ninewa KDP withdrew without a fight

(Musings On Iraq The Plight Of Iraq’s Yazidis In Ninewa Province Interview With Christine van den Toorn)

Aug 2 Report Head of KRG presidential council went to Turkey and asked for help fighting IS Got nothing

PM Barzani said Turkey was sending some aid but Iran immediately came in after fall of Mosul and provided aid Iranian Rev Guard’s Gen Suleimani went to Irbil several times Helped Peshmerga in Salahaddin

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

 

Aug 3 IS seized Sinjar Zumar Wana in Ninewa Peshmerga withdrew without a fight Began massacre and

enslavement of Yazidis 20 Yazidis killed in Solagh 50-60 executed in Qahtanya 85-90 killed in Qiniyah

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Government Tries to Create New Narrative Of What Happened To Iraq’s Yazidis)

(Musings On Iraq The Plight Of Iraq’s Yazidis In Ninewa Province Interview With Christine van den Toorn)

(Musings On Iraq interview with journalist Wladimir van Wilgenburg on dispute between KDP Hashd and Yazidis in Sinjar)

Aug 3 IS attacked north into Irbil

Aug 3 Report Iranian Rev Guard colonel killed in Iraq in Samarra Was 3^rd Guard to die since fall of Mosul

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Aug 3 Democratic Union Party (PYD) said it sent its fighters People’s Protection Units (YPG) to help fight

IS in Ninewa

 

Aug 4 Report 2011 Sunnis tried to create autonomous regions Jun 2011 Speaker Nujafi supported idea Oct

2011 Salahaddin govt voted to become autonomous region Happened after Higher Educ Min Adeeb removed 1200 govt workers from Salahaddin and Ninewa PM Maliki also arrested 650 over alleged Baathist coup Salahaddin accused Shiites of trying to change demographics of Samarra by moving in Shiites and building housing for them Maliki said Baathists and insurgents would take advantage of autonomy Dec 2011 Diyala voted for autonomy ISF and militias moved into Baquba Took over Diyala govt building Declared martial law in Diyala Governor and several councilmen fled to Kurdish run Khanaqin dist 2 Shiites districts threatened to secede from Diyala Maliki ignored legal process Salahaddin and Diyala followed Dec 2011 Maliki tried to arrest VP Hashemi on terrorism charge Led Sunnis to believe Shiite ran state and they had no power Helped revive insurgency

Aug 4 Report Dec 2012 PM Maliki tried to arrest Finance Min Issawi Started Sunni protests in Anbar

Spread to Baghdad Diyala Kirkuk Salahaddin Ninewa Demanded release of prisoners end targeting of Sunnis reform deBaathification and terrorism law mainstream protest sites aligned with Mutahidun like Ramadi and Mosul Some more radical sites connected to insurgents like Hawija Kirkuk Tikrit Some like Samarra refused talks with govt Jan-Apr 2013 Maliki pushed by Najaf to make concessions After Maliki lost seats in Apr 2013 provincial elections refused to make any reforms Maliki ordered raid on Hawija protest site Led some protesters to join insurgency Calls for popular armies Jul Maliki started arresting protest leaders Drove more protest sites to insurgency Dec Maliki closed Ramadi protest site Led insurgents to seize Fallujah and rebirth of insurgency

Aug 4 PM Maliki replaced head of Babil Ops Command Was 4^th time in 5 months due to inability to secure

province Late Jul 400 IS attacked Jurf al-Sakhr and pushed ISF out

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Aug 4 IS executed 320 Yazidis in Ninewa

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Government Tries to Create New Narrative Of What Happened To Iraq’s Yazidis)

 

Aug 5 Peshmerga freed Summer east of Mosul ISF suddenly withdrew from two areas east of Ramadi IS

moved in afterward ISF freed Barwana in Anbar

Aug 5 Report Sr Iranian official said Tehran wanted PM Maliki out of office Said he was undermining Iraq

 

Aug 6 Peshmerga withdrew from Gwar Ninewa and IS took area Makhmour also fell to IS Peshmerga

backed by Iraqi army took Shalat

 

Aug 7 Pres Obama announced beginning of bombing campaign against IS in Iraq Was limited to Irbil and

Ninewa Also started airdrops to deliver aid to Yazidis on Mount Sinjar

(Musings On Iraq Review Shatter the Nations, ISIS and the War for the Caliphate)

(Musings On Iraq review Airpower in the War Against ISIS)

(Musings On Iraq review Degrade And Destroy, The Inside Story Of The War Against the Islamic State, From Barack Obama To Donald Trump)

Aug 7 Peshmerga withdrew from Hamdaniya Bashiqa Qaraqosh in Ninewa IS moved in afterward

Aug 7 Anbar govt said it would resign if govt didn’t stop random shelling and air strikes on Ramadi

Fallujah Garma

Aug 7 Baghdad governor said Hashd kidnapping innocent people for ransom Made security worse

Aug 7 US Delta Force team in Irbil found out YPG from Syria was on Mount Sinjar taking Yazidis into

Sinjar and then to Dohuk for safety

 

Aug 8 Report ISF overwhelmed by new recruits Got little training and sent to front 150 men sent to Tal

Afar without having fired their weapons General said they weren’t fit for fighting

Aug 8 Peshmerga withdrew from Jalalwa Diyala Area would trade hands several times in following days

Aug 8 VP Biden called KRG Pres Barzani Asked him to send peshmerga to retake Mosul Dam which needed

constant maintenance otherwise might burst and flood areas

Aug 9 1^st US airstrike against IS occurred in Irbil to stop insurgent advance there

(Musings On Iraq review Airpower in the War Against ISIS)

(Musings On Iraq review Degrade And Destroy, The Inside Story Of The War Against the Islamic State, From Barack Obama To Donald Trump)

Aug 9 IS attack on Tuz Kharmato turned back by Peshmerga Insurgents took 4 areas around Haditha

Defense Min claimed it cleared Hamrin Mts in Diyala of insurgents Didn’t

 

Aug 10 Anbar Ops Command said it took Hamidiya and Ramadi Island Took Khalidiya Island but then

withdrew and IS moved back in ISF said it controlled Muqdadiya in Diyala 2^nd time Peshmerga took Gwar Zummar and Makhmour in Ninewa 

 

Aug 11 IS attacked Jalawla, Diyala with suicide truck bomb and 12 suicide bombers

            dressed in Peshmerga uniforms Re-took area IS told workers at Mosul Dam to stay on their job

(Musings On Iraq review Suicide Bombers In Iraq, The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom)

Aug 11 US general said US air strike were limited and wouldn’t change strategic situation in Iraq Said IS

            would probably move to areas where there were no airstrikes

(Musings On Iraq review Airpower in the War Against ISIS)

Aug 11 ISF claimed it took Wafa in Ramadi dist and Edheim in Diyala

Aug 11 Dawa’s Haidar Abadi named candidate for PM Premier Maliki and State of Law members claimed

he wasn’t nominee

 

Aug 12 Report PKK was fighting IS in Jalawla Diyala

Aug 12 Iran gave its support to Haidar Abadi as nominee for PM Also backed by Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and

            Badr who abandoned PM Maliki Pro and anti-Maliki volunteers fought each other in Salahaddin

 

Aug 13 IS night attack upon Tuz Kharmato Salahaddin turned back by Peshmerga

Aug 13 France said it would arm Peshmerga Got approval of Abadi govt UK joined humanitarian mission

for Yazidis on Mount Sinjar US sent 130 advisers to KRG

Aug 13 Report Peshmerga in Diyala complained about poorly armed and supplied Said no coordinated plan

against IS PKK were fighting in Diyala

Aug 13 PM Maliki gave TV speech attacking nomination of Haidar Abadi for PM Said it was illegal Said he

would not step down from power and would go to court

 

Aug 14 PM Maliki agreed to step down after elections Was under pressure from US and

            Ayatollah Sistani

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq After America, Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance)

Aug 14 Report Iranian representative met with Ayatollah Sistani start of Aug Sistani said PM Maliki had to

go Iran agreed and started working to replace him Maliki still wanted to be PM because his State of Law won plurality of votes Dawa delegation went to Iran and suggested Haidar Abadi as new PM Iran wanted Shiite parties to re-unite

Aug 14 Yazidis who fled Sinjar blamed local Arabs from 3 tribes for helping IS kill them 

Aug 14 US airstrikes helped YPG take Jabal Sinjar Trapped Yazidis their escaped

(Musings On Iraq The Plight Of Iraq’s Yazidis In Ninewa Province Interview With Christine van den Toorn)

 

Aug 15 Report 25 tribes said they would fight IS in Anbar

Aug 15 IS killed 90 Yazidi men in Kojo Ninewa Took all the women and children

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Government Tries to Create New Narrative Of What Happened To Iraq’s Yazidis)

Aug 15 Army and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq got into gunfight in Baghdad 1 soldier killed 3 soldiers and 4 Hashd

wounded ISF arrested some Hashd Asaib Ahl Al-Haq kidnapped 4 soldiers from checkpoint

 

Aug 16 Report IS took hundreds of Yazidi women from Sinjar Ninewa Told had to convert to Islam and

then married to IS fighters

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

(Musings On Iraq Kurdish Government Tries to Create New Narrative Of What Happened To Iraq’s Yazidis)

Aug 16 IS forced out of 5 villages in Sadiya Diyala US air strikes supported ISF and peshmerga attack to

take Mosul Dam

 

Aug 17 Report Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Khanaqin Diyala assisting PUK peshmerga against IS

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Aug 17 Report When IS took Kojo in Sinjar Ninewa told Yazidis they had 48 hrs to convert to Islam or die

Were given 3 extra days Then massacred 80-100 men killed Women taken away to become IS wives Yazidis accused Peshmerga of abandoning them KDP tried to co-opt Yazidis through patronage When Mosul fell Yazidis wanted to leave KDP pushed them to stay Threatened to cut salaries if left KDP said it would protect Yazidis from IS Ended up fleeing and left Yazidis behind Yazidis blamed some in Shammar tribe of helping IS

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

(Musings On Iraq The Plight Of Iraq’s Yazidis In Ninewa Province Interview With Christine van den Toorn)

Aug 17 Babil Ops Command claimed insurgents surrounded in Jurf al-Sakr Said district fully under ISF

control Govt launched 7 ops to secure dist

(Musings On Iraq Twelve Security Operations Later And Iraq’s Northern Babil Is No Less Safe)

Aug 17 Peshmerga freed Tilkaif and Bataniya outside of Mosul and Islahi in Khanaqin Dist Diyala Secured

Mosul Dam ISF secured Shamiya area of Ramadi dist Anbar

 

Aug 19 IS posted video of beheading of journalist James Foley part of video series A Message To America

in response to Obama’s decision to bomb IS

(Musings On Iraq review ISIS The State of Terror)

Aug 19 ISF Hashd and Tribal Hashd attacked Tikrit again Were turned back by IS

 

Aug 21 IS and Mujahadeen Army fought in Garma Anbar 4 IS members killed by Naqshibandi in Jalawla

Diyala

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Aug 22 ISF and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq raided mosque in Diyala and killed 34 worshippers

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Iran And Its Shiite Militias Mobilize In Iraq Interview With Phillip Smyth)

Aug 22 IS and Mujahdeen Army made truce after fighting between 2 in Garma Anbar Mujahdeen Army

accused IS of kidnapping its men

(Musings On Iraq review The Caliphate At War, Operational Realities and Innovations of the Islamic State)

 

Aug 23 KRG Finance Min said it sold 1^st batch of oil exports via 2 tankers for $180 mil

 

Aug 24 Report PJAK deployed to Jalawla Diyala to fight IS Iran pressured KRG to tell them to withdraw

 

Aug 25 Pres Barzani ordered peshmerga reformed Wanted PUK and KDP brigades united and under 1

command Peshmerga committee reported on divisions within peshmerga with different chains of command Never united

Aug 25 Report Retired peshmerga commander said forces split between KDP and PUK brigades Said

officers got huge salaries compared to regular fighters Many peshmerga had 2^nd jobs because paid so little Defeats by IS led to calls for reforming peshmerga

Aug 25 UN reported IS killed up to 670 prisoners at Badush prison Ninewa in Jun Took 3000 prisoners

after fall of Mosul Divided them by sect Took 670 Shiite prisoners and killed them Locals in Mosul said IS raiding houses of Christians and other minorities

 

Aug 27 Report 70 fighters from Naqshibandi Islamic Army Mujahdeen Army pledged allegiance to IS in

Jalawla Diyala IS assassinated some of its rival insurgents in Diyala

Aug 27 Report Attempt to free Dhuluiya Salahaddin from IS failed Was declared freed before Hashd trying

to free Amerli

Aug 27 KRG PM Barzani said KRG had heard nothing from Maliki govt about its demands on

implementing Article 140 to determine future of disputed areas paying peshmerga budget and oil KRG was making demands during war in return for supporting PM Maliki

 

Aug 28 Report IS took control of over insurgent groups in Fallujah Told other groups to turn in weapons

Many left instead of giving into IS Majahadeen Army prisoners paraded around city by IS Group had declared war on IS within city

Aug 28 IS killed Mujahadden Army emir from Haditha Anbar Tried him in court in Fallujah

Aug 28 Report Large section of Fallujah destroyed by govt attacks Shelling and helicopter attacks happen

every day Govt still using barrel bombs Fallujah hospital official said 700 dead and 2200 wounded since start of 2014

 

Aug 29 Report Obama said his administration didn’t have strategy to deal with IS

(Musings On Iraq review Airpower in the War Against ISIS)

Aug 29 KRG asked all Iranian Kurds to withdraw from frontlines with IS Iran complained about their

presence Protection Units of Rojahat formed by PJAK refused to withdraw Some fighting in Diyala

Aug 29 Bodies of 7 soldiers executed by IS found in Wahda Diyala

 

Aug 30 Report Many Yazidis blamed Arabs in Sinjar for helping IS Some Arabs resented fact that KDP ran

Sinjar and wanted to annex it Felt marginalized by KDP

(Musings On Iraq The Plight Of Iraq’s Yazidis In Ninewa Province Interview With Christine van den Toorn)

 

Sep 1 ISF recaptured Suleiman Beq, Salahaddin from insurgents Peshmerga backed by US air strikes

attacked Zummar Ninewa

Sep 1 German cabinet voted to arm the Peshmerga

Sep 1 Yazidi villages of Kotan, Hareko Kharag Shafrsky in Ninewa were burned by IS

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

Sep 1 Report PKK was fighting IS in Makhmour Sinjar Kirkuk Its YPG forces from Syria were in Iraq as

well YPG helped free Yazidis on Mount Sinjar PJAK forces from Iran in Gwar

(Musings On Iraq The Plight Of Iraq’s Yazidis In Ninewa Province Interview With Christine van den Toorn)

 

Sep 2 Peshmerga recaptured Zumar, Ninewa

Sep 2 Relatives of Camp Speicher massacre stormed parliament and demanded explanations

            for what happened

Sep 2 IS released video beheading of US reporter Steven Slotoff Threatened to kill UK hostage if US didn’t

withdraw from Iraq Attacked Haditha Anbar from 3 directions Turned back

Sep 2 IS blew up Abdullah al-Baqir al-Hassani mosque al-Sahirchy Sunni tomb Imam Abdul Rahman tomb

in Mosul

Sep 2 US sent another 250 troops for force protection to Iraq

Sep 2 Amnesty Intl IS took away women and children from Solagh Ninewa Executed 20 men Killed 90

Yazidis in Kojo Took away women and children Yazidis in Qiniyah massacred 50-60 men executed in Sinjar

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

Sep 2 ISF made another attempt to retake Tikrit Failed

 

Sep 3 Badr head Amiri said Peshmerga should leave Kirkuk

Sep 3 Army freed Garma Anbar from IS 2^nd time declared liberated

Sep 3 IS destroyed Sheikh al-Shat mosque and Ain Sada cemetery in Mosul

 

Sep 4 Report Iranian soldiers carrying out joint ops with Peshmerga in Diyala and Ninewa Source said 30

Iranians killed fighting alongside Peshmerga

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Mobilization In Iraq In The Face Of The Insurgent Surge)

Sep 4 Report Iran supported PM Maliki for 3^rd term until Mosul fell Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani went

to Iraq to help plan defense vs IS Was disappointed in Maliki

(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)

 

Sep 5 Germany sent first shipment of military supplies to Peshmerga

Sep 5 Report Peshmerga Hashd Iranian advisers US air strikes helped liberate Amerli Salahaddin from IS

Hashd then tried to take over town Blocked Peshmerga from entering Found mass graves of IS victims Both Sulaiman Beq and Amerli abandoned Hashd and Peshmerga said that if Sunni Arabs returned they would help insurgents

(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)

 

Sep 6 Report Iraq renegotiated deal with BP-CNPC by lowering production targets for Rumaila oil field

Also protected companies if govt didn’t provide water to boost production Sign that Iraq couldn’t meet oil targets it set

 

Sep 7 Anbar’s Governor Dulaimi seriously wounded by mortar fire in Barwana

Sep 7 Report 17 yr old Yazidi girl seized with 40 other women by IS Taken from Sinjar to village south of

Mosul Were raped by IS

(Musings On Iraq Islamic State’s Destruction Of Iraq’s Yazidi Community)

Sep 7 Report KRG ruling party members and journalists and intellectuals affiliated with parties were

getting pensions as fmr govt workers 300 women from KDP-PUK were listed as former peshmerga

Sep 7 Peshmerga backed by US air strikes began attack upon Bashiqa Ninewa