Iraqi Defence Ministry Spokesman Discusses Samarra Operation Haul, Aims
Posted on: Friday, 17 March 2006, 03:04 CST
Iraqi Defence Ministry media adviser Muhammad al-Askari has discussed the military operation in Samarra in a live five-minute telephone interview with Al-Jazeera TV presenter Abd-al-Samad Nasir, in the Doha studio, broadcast on 16 March.
Asked about the operation Al-Askari said: "Planning for this operation started more than 10 days ago. This operation includes areas north of Al-Dulu'iyah, Al-Tharthar down to Al-Fallujah and Samarra city. US forces, backed by a commando battalion from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, are engaged in this operation. We have received information about the presence of armed elements in these areas. The Ministry of Interior has accurate information about the presence of elements specialized in assassinating journalists and preparing car bombs. One of the wanted persons is [name withheld], who, according to the investigations of the Ministry of Interior, is responsible for assassinating colleague [Al-Arabiya correspondent] Atwar Bahjat.
"Thus far, we have arrested three wanted terrorists belonging to Al-Qa'idah Organization. We have also seized a number of car bombs, 100 explosive charges, a large quantity of 120mm and 60mm mortar shells, katyusha rockets, various explosives, communication devices, mobile phones, cars used by the guards of a wanted person called Hammad al-Takhi, pamphlets and books belonging to the Al-Qa'idah Organization, huge arms caches, more than 85 anti-tank missiles, medium weapons, 12 old missiles whose components are used to booby- trap cars, video cameras to film armed operations, scores of explosive belts, and vehicles used by the Iraqi police, large quantities of land-mines, and 20 kilograms of gun powder."
Answering a question on whether the operation targets Al-Qa'idah elements, who are mainly non-Iraqis, Al-Askari replied that the "basic target is foreign elements". He, however, noted that there are Iraqis in the Al-Qa'idah Organization and other armed organizations. He says that the operation is still under way.
Asked about the Iraqi troops' participation in this operation, Al- Askari said that the Iraqis have started to be more engaged in the security operations. He noted that "the multinational troops cannot operate without the Iraqi troops".
Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East
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