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29/07/2003
Swathes of Iraq 'still a war zone' despite Bush's declaration
Nearly two months after President Bush declared hostilities at an end in Iraq, the US military command has conceded that a strip of land in the centre of the country is "still a warzone".
The 'Ba'athist Triangle' in the area within Tikrit, Baghdad and Ar Ramadi has now seen over 80% of all attacks on Coalition forces.
However, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, pledged to remain in the area to create stability necessary for elections to be held.
"Militarily we won't be defeated in Iraq and we will stay there until the job is done," he said.
He also attempted to clarify the President's position when he declared major combat operations over in Iraq on May 1. Gen Myers Mr Bush was "very precise in the words he used," who still believed that the environment was still "challenging" and "hard".
In addition to militia loyal to Saddam, Gen Myers said that the Iraqi dictator released thousands of criminals as the coalition approached Baghdad which had exacerbated civil disorder problems. Opposition to the coalition has also been further deepened by an influx of foreign fighters, he said.
Elsewhere, US troops have detained one of Saddam Hussein's senior bodyguards in a house in Tikrit – the dictator's home village.
The arrest of one of Saddam's bodyguards Adnan Abdullah Abid al-Musslit this morning is significant as he could provide a lead in the search for Saddam Hussein.
US sources in Tikrit have said that the arrest squad may only have been a few hours away from netting the former regime leader himself.
(GMcG)
The 'Ba'athist Triangle' in the area within Tikrit, Baghdad and Ar Ramadi has now seen over 80% of all attacks on Coalition forces.
However, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, pledged to remain in the area to create stability necessary for elections to be held.
"Militarily we won't be defeated in Iraq and we will stay there until the job is done," he said.
He also attempted to clarify the President's position when he declared major combat operations over in Iraq on May 1. Gen Myers Mr Bush was "very precise in the words he used," who still believed that the environment was still "challenging" and "hard".
In addition to militia loyal to Saddam, Gen Myers said that the Iraqi dictator released thousands of criminals as the coalition approached Baghdad which had exacerbated civil disorder problems. Opposition to the coalition has also been further deepened by an influx of foreign fighters, he said.
Elsewhere, US troops have detained one of Saddam Hussein's senior bodyguards in a house in Tikrit – the dictator's home village.
The arrest of one of Saddam's bodyguards Adnan Abdullah Abid al-Musslit this morning is significant as he could provide a lead in the search for Saddam Hussein.
US sources in Tikrit have said that the arrest squad may only have been a few hours away from netting the former regime leader himself.
(GMcG)
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Iraq is likely location for tyrant's trial
The trial of Saddam Hussein should be held in Iraq, amongst Iraqi people, and Britain would not object to the execution of the former dictator if that is the judgment of the court, according to government sources today.
Iraq is likely location for tyrant's trial
The trial of Saddam Hussein should be held in Iraq, amongst Iraqi people, and Britain would not object to the execution of the former dictator if that is the judgment of the court, according to government sources today.
20 November 2003
Food-for-oil winds up as US offer $10m bounty
The multi-billion dollar United Nations Oil-for-Food programme will finally wrap up its activities on Friday.
Food-for-oil winds up as US offer $10m bounty
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09 April 2003
UN role uncertain after Anglo-US summit
The question over any future role of the UN in post-conflict Iraq was addressed but not answered today, following Tony Blair and President Bush's summit in Belfast over the past 24 hours.
UN role uncertain after Anglo-US summit
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19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
29 January 2010
Blair Faces Iraq Inquiry
Tony Blair put forward his evidence to the Iraq Inquiry in London today. The former prime minister defended the decisions he made in the run up to the conflict, which deposed dictator Saddam Hussein. Mr Blair was quizzed by the panel, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, for around six hours.
Blair Faces Iraq Inquiry
Tony Blair put forward his evidence to the Iraq Inquiry in London today. The former prime minister defended the decisions he made in the run up to the conflict, which deposed dictator Saddam Hussein. Mr Blair was quizzed by the panel, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, for around six hours.
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