Saturday 29 January 2005, 12:47 Makka Time, 9:47 GMT
According tto the local police, at least five people died as a bomb exploded on Saturday nearby a US and Iraqi security center, close to a polling station in the town of Khanaquin (northeast of Baghdad).
Meanwhile, the Baghdad international airport will be closed for three days, to prevent any possible form of danger during the elections.
Since Wednesday, 54 Iraqis and 15 American soldiers were killed by fighters.
Security and police urged Iraqi residents in dangerous areas to stay at home until the elections.
Il Romanaccio at 12:08 PM
Saturday 29 January 2005, 12:47 Makka Time, 9:47 GMT
A Kiowa observation helicopter went down on Friday in southwest Baghdad, two US soldier died in the crash.
This is the US military statement referring to the episode: "The cause of the crash has yet to be determined."
Five American soldiers and six Iraqis were also killed on Friday in different attacks by the insurgents agaisnt the government.
According to a Polish military statement an Iraqi soldier was killed and another one wounded when attacked by mortar shells in the city of Suwayra.
Il Romanaccio at 12:00 PM
Friday 28 January 2005, 15:46 Makka Time, 12:46 GMT
In the first municipal elections held in the Gaza Strip, Hamas won 76 out of 118 seats (voter turnout was about 80%) and it won seats in seven of the 10 councils, meaning that Mahmud Abbas, the new Palestinian leader, has someone to discuss with about political issues in the country.
Mahmud al-Zahaar, a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, said, "the change Palestinians look for can only be achieved by running fair and free elections. Palestinians have confidence in the future, which will witness a reform and rebuilding of what has been destroyed by the Israeli occupation."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Labour Minister, Ghassan al-Khatib, commented, "We have to remember that violence is a result of the conflict, but not a reason for it. If the Israeli occupation continues, the violent conflict will then return."
He was referring to the fact that Abbas is trying to move forward to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine and Sharon should take the same path.
Il Romanaccio at 11:40 AM
Wednesday 26 January 2005, 22:53 Makka Time, 19:55 GMT
According to the police sources, four Iraqi soldiers were seized in Ramadi once they just left the US military base.
"The four soldiers were captured by gunmen between the towns of Baghdadi and Hiyt," said a local policeman, along with the fact that no group has claimed responsability yet.
Insurgents and fighters against the elections are killing and kidnapping as many people as they can involved in the construction of a new Iraq.
Saddam's army was not completely destroyed and, most of all, it is clear that groups that were previously powerful are now fighting for their own interests.
Il Romanaccio at 11:25 AM
Wednesday 26 January 2005, 22:53 Makka Time, 19:53 GMT
According to the local mayor, a truck bomb exploded nearby the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in the tow of Sinjar ( close to the Sirian border) on Wednesday, killing 15 people and wounding at least 30.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Quaida's leader in Iraq, claimed responsability for the attack in an internet statement.
In Baquba, a town north of Baghdad one policeman was killed and at least eight people wounded when armed men opened fire against the offices of three local parties.
In Mosul three Iraqi men were apparently kidnapped by insurgents cause they work for the electoral commission.
A video was showed with the three Iraqis in which a masked fighter announced : "We are mujahidin in the province of Ninawa. What they call elections have no basis in the Islamic religion and that's why we will hit all election centres."
Il Romanaccio at 11:07 AM
Friday 28 January 2005, 11:58 Makka Time, 8:58 GMT
Dora neighbourhood, south of Baghdad: a car bomb exploded nearby a police station killing four civillians and wounding four others.
A police officer said that, on Friday, policemen guarding the Station opened fire as soon as they saw the car bomb.
A source from the Baghdad's Yarmuk hospital said: "The attack killed four people, three of them policemen and wounded four others, three policemen and one civilian."
This zone of Baghdad is recently been dangerous for anyone, gun battles beetween the Iraqi National Guard and the insurgents and the assassination of government officials, moreover, on January 10, Brig Amir Ali Nayif, Baghdad's deputy police chief and his son, also a policeman, were killed by the fighters.
Il Romanaccio at 10:54 AM
Thursday 27 January 2005, 0:39 Makka Time, 21:39 GMT
King Abd Allah explained on Wednesday his plans to enlarge cooperation from people to his government.
He wants to elect regional councils that would define priorities for development plans.
"Each region will have a local council directly elected by its people to work hand in hand with the elected municipal councils in the governorates to set priorities, and draw up plans and programmes related to their respective region," he said
"These tasks should no longer be exclusive to central decision-makers because the people of each region are more aware of their interests and needs."
"We shall as soon as possible form a royal committee to study the various aspects of such an approach and put forward the appropriate mechanisms for its implementation," he added.
This is an old political problem in Jordan, where people from the country have always been complaining about the development gap existing between the cities and the rural areas.
Il Romanaccio at 11:32 AM
Thursday 27 January 2005, 0:10 Makka Time, 21:10 GMT
According to Iraqi sources US Soldiers have entered a mosque, in Baghda's Sadr city and arrested 25 people violating the holiness of the place.
If what Shaikh Abd al-Hadi al-Darraji told Al-Jazeera is true, the American soldiers employed in that raid were really disrespectful and blasphem in orinating and drinking inside the mosque.
"[This] is a great sin in Islam," al-Darraji said.
"The action of the US forces just days before Sunday's election is a serious provocation and it reveals that the US is serious in insulting the Islamic values and imposing its culture on us.
"They claim they are democratic people, but they are targeting us because we boycotted the elections and said it should not be held under occupation."
As they are representing the nation worldwide, US soldiers should be better trained on moral aspects and cultural respect, or how can they represent anyone?
Il Romanaccio at 11:20 AM
Thursday 27 January 2005, 12:53 Makka Time, 9:53 GMT
Three polling stations and a US military convoy were hit yesterday by bombs in Kirkuk.
General Sarhad Qadir said that the first bomb exploded on Thursday at 8.10 am (0510 GMT) close to the police academy while a US military convoy was passing by.
The General said there were no serious damages or people wounded.
Another bomb blew off at a polling station north of Kirkuk and two more were damaged in the eastern city.
Qadir reported two wounded people , Wednesday night, by mortar rockets fired close to a police station at Kaza, south of Kirkuk.
In Tikrit, Saddam's Hussein city, a bomb exploded in front of a police car killing a policeman and wounding another.
Il Romanaccio at 11:09 AM
Monday 24 January 2005, 18:45 Makka Time, 15:45 GMT
Doubts have been expressed by the Us Ambassador to Iraq and the interim finance minister about the legality of the forthcoming elections.
Adil Abd al-Mahdi, Iraqi Finance Minister, an important candidate for the Shia Muslim list, said that the milestone polls could be in danger of fraud.
Police chief Ghalib al-Jazairi said "The interior ministry has announced a three-day security plan for the elections. Here in Najaf, we are implementing a plan over five days."
"One of the main points is that we will ask all the people who are not from Najaf to leave the city for the elections. Those who stay will be arrested and treated as terrorist suspects."
Meanwhile in the city of Najaf, the police announced a special plan for security on January 30.
Il Romanaccio at 11:43 AM
Wednesday 26 January 2005, 4:26 Makka Time, 1:26 GMT
A deployment of Palestinian soldiers prevented fighters to fire Qassam missiles toward Israel.
Acording to the Palestinian security sources, weapons and missiles belonging to fighters have been confiscated by the army that Abbas wanted in the Gaza strip, on Tuesday.
"Members of the security forces in northern Gaza stopped a militant group from firing three mortar shells into Israel," said a policeman.
The new Palestinian leader expressed the desire of stopping the Qassam missiles fired from the Gaza strip by Palestinian fighters against Israel in an attempt to achieve a ceas-fire and to talk with Ariel Sharon about peace beetween Palestine and Israel.
After what happened today, the deployment of forces, along the Gaza Strip will be increased.
A Palestinian official declared: "There is Israeli-Palestinian agreement to deploy Palestinian forces in the southern area, and in central Gaza."
Il Romanaccio at 11:30 AM
Wednesday 26 January 2005, 12:17 Makka Time, 9:17 GMT
According to a military statement, "A US Marine Corps transport helicopter crashed on 26 January at approximately 1.20am (2220 GMT Tuesday) near al-Rutbah while conducting security and stabilisation operations."
There are no further information available but the fact happened while a search and rescue operation was on.
Meanwhile tha Us military reported a car bomb explosion along the way to the Baghdad's international airport, targeting a US convoy.
Even in this case there are no further details available.
Il Romanaccio at 11:22 AM
Tuesday 25 January 2005, 14:24 Makka Time, 11:24 GMT
Palestinian Minister of Negotiation Affairs Saib Uraiqat, said that Israel nust work in accordance with the road map if a cease-fire is really wanted.
He also calimed that talks about a cease-fire are proceeding well but in order to achieve peace is important for Israel to respect its own promises.
"We call on the Israeli government to go back to talks in order to coordinate and prepare a mutual announcement of a ceasefire, to halt violence against both sides as stated in the road map".
"The road map has stated that the Israeli side must halt its violence against Palestinians everywhere and the Palestinian side should halt violence against the Israelis everywhere,"
he said.
Il Romanaccio at 1:05 PM
Tuesday 25 January 2005, 13:17 Makka Time, 10:17 GMT
Six US soldier died in two separate incidents in Baghdad.
The US army released a statement on Tuesday claiming: "A Task Force Baghdad Soldier died of wounds at approximately 7pm (1600 GMT) on 24 January. The soldier sustained the injuries when a patrol was attacked with an improvised explosive device in western Baghdad."
Five 1st infantry division soldiers were killed and two others wounded in an accident close to Khan Bani Saad, north of Baghdad, apparently one of the wounded soldiers is in danger of life.
So far 296 United States soldiers were wounded in non-combat incidents, according to the Pentagon.
Il Romanaccio at 12:59 PM
Tuesday 25 January 2005, 13:17 Makka Time, 10:17 GMT
According to the police an Iraqi judge was shot dead by armed men,while he was leaving his house in eastern Baghdad, on Tuesday.
Judge Qais Hashim al-Shammari found his death in a roadside ambush along with his brother-in-law.
Fighters already killed Baghdad's provincial governor, and the deputy of police chief recently, in an attempt to stop the elections.
Il Romanaccio at 12:49 PM
Tuesday 25 January 2005, 13:17 Makka Time, 10:17 GMT
According to the police an Iraqi judge was shot dead by armed men,while he was leaving his house in eastern Baghdad, on Tuesday.
Judge Qais Hashim al-Shammari found his death in a roadside ambush along with his brother-in-law.
Fighters already killed Baghdad's provincial governor, and the deputy of police chief recently, in an attempt to stop the elections.
Il Romanaccio at 12:49 PM
Sunday 23 January 2005, 10:17 Makka Time, 7:17 GMT
No water for the last several days, lack of electricity, long lines to buy some fuel and endless noise of mortars and bombs everywhere.
Baghdad doesn't really seem the place to hold elections by the end of the month and it is probably no one is thinking about it.
Alaa al-Din Saad (32) declared:"We haven't had water for nearly a week. We used up all our reserves and now I haven't had a shower for three days."
Il Romanaccio at 11:01 AM
Sunday 23 January 2005, 9:31 Makka Time, 6:31 GMT
Joao Jose Vasconcelos (55) was apparently kidnapped during an ambush carried on by the Mujahidin Brigades and the Army of Ansar al-Sunna.
A video containing a statement from this two terrorist groups was sent to Al-Jazeera, the brigades claimed that a Briton and a Brazilian working for an American company were killed.
The tape also showed dollars and other cash took during the ambush.
Iraqi police identified the dead as a English working for a London-based security firm.
The Brazilian was working for one of the most important construction companies in Latin America.
Il Romanaccio at 10:47 AM
Monday 24 January 2005, 12:09 Makka Time, 9:09 GMT
A car-bomb exploded on Monday close to the Allawi's offcie in Baghdad, seven policemen and trhee civillians were wounded.
The interim Prime Minister was not around the are when the bomb exploded.
Iraqi journalist said to Al-Jazeera that the Bomber tried to pass trhough an Iraqi checkpoint but he was stopped and detonated the vehicle.
US and Iraqi troops were immediatly in place, along with ambulances.
As the election day is closer (January 30) security in Iraq doesn't seem to guarantee enough safety for those who are going to vote, it could be a massacre of civillians.
Il Romanaccio at 10:32 AM
Sunday 23 January 2005, 13:03 Makka Time, 10:03 GMT
Jail, reduction in rank, bad conduct discharges, this is what happens when American soldiers assassinate Iraqis. Specialist Charley Hooser of the 1st Cavalry Division was sentenced to three years in jail after he shot dead an Iraqi female interpreter.
"The convictions stem from an incident on November 24, when Hooser killed an interpreter, shooting her in the head," declared the military on Saturday. "Later that day, he made an official statement with the intent to deceive, denying involvement in the death of the civilian interpreter."
The 1st Cavalry Division, Specialist Rami Dajani, was sentenced to one year and six months in jail for his part in the incident, the military reported.
He provided the gun to Hooser and later "made an official statement with the intent to deceive, denying involvement in the death of a civilian interpreter".
Sending scared, not very smart, and dangerous soldiers in Iraq is not a good idea, we hope it is understood now.
Il Romanaccio at 12:25 PM
Sunday 23 January 2005, 12:13 Makka Time, 9:13 GMT
When Abu Mazin (mahmud Abbas) started his personal rally among the Palestinian Islamic and fighters group, in order to convince Ariel Sharon of his will to stop violence, everyone knew it was not going to be easy, a missunderstanding occoured yesterday beetween Israel and Palestinian fighters.
Israeli Defence Minister, Shaul Mofaz, announced to Israel Radio that Abbas was able to agree on a 30 day-long ceas-fire beetween Palestinian resistance groups and Israeli army.
"This agreement was sealed in exchange for the future integration, notably of Hamas, in the Palestinian political institutions," Mofaz said and he added:"The agreement constitutes a positive sign and a success for Abu Mazin. We are pleased with it but must closely follow the way the terrorist organisations conduct themselves on the ground."
But Sami Abu Zuhri, of Hamas movement, explained to Al-Jazeera that :"Mofaz's announcement is incorrect. We have not discussed a month-long truce. We have only said the movement is willing to discuss seriously a truce in case Israel halts its aggression against the Palestinian people."
Abu Zuhri said, "There is no truce without clear and guaranteed Israeli commitments," adding also that "Israel is known for empty announcements".
"We want international guarantees that secure an end to all kinds of Israeli aggression against our people."
Ther was no immediate feedback from other authorities.
Il Romanaccio at 12:07 PM
Sunday 23 January 2005, 11:54 Makka Time, 8:54 GMT
According to a US army officer, a American soldier was killed in Mosul in a gunbattle on Sunday.
"One soldier was killed in a firefight. He was shot by insurgents," said Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kurilla.
Also on Sunday, six Iraqi soldiers were wounded as a car bomb exploded close to an army checkpoint nearby the Polish military base in the city of Hilla, as reported by Al-Jazeera.
Meanwhile some fighters attacked the al-Jazira police headquarters of Ramadi city and took possession of weapons and equipment, forcing everyone to leave and threatening to kill if they come back.
This can be considered a clear proof of their desire to stop every attempts to form a government in Iraq.
Il Romanaccio at 11:57 AM
