In a sign of improving conditions, an Iraqi policeman with

shaving cream on his helmet clowns with revelers on New

Year's Eve in Baghdad.

Al-Zawraa, Iraq

Iraqis Win 'Our War Against Terror'

"After four years of resistance, courage and sacrifice by our Iraqi people in the fight against al-Qaeda and its offshoots, success has been achieved … With gold letters, Iraqis have marked their place in the annals of history.."

By Salman Daud Alhafezi

Translated By Jenny Oliver

December 28, 2007

Iraq - Al-Zawraa - Original Article (Arabic)

The Takfiri gangs (Sunni Extremists ) who came across the border like a swarm of locusts after the regime toppled, have tried to turn Iraq into a place controlled by titans and tyrants and a headquarters for the dissemination of their ideology and myths - myths which came not from Allah.

With coercion, murder, displacement and bombings, they sought to bring the Iraqi people to their knees. In their sick fantasies, they imagined that they could claim Iraq as their own Islamic nation. After four years of resistance, courage and sacrifice by our Iraqi people in the fight against al-Qaeda and its offshoots, success has been achieved in reducing hostilities. With gold letters, Iraqis have marked their place in the annals of history.

This is why during Eid al-Adha [a celebration of the willingness of Abraham the prophet - and the first Jew - to sacrifice his first son at God's command ] we picked the fruits of the bloody and frightening battle against the murderers, the criminals, the terrorists and the Takfiris. On the morning of Eid al-Adha, tens of thousands of worshipers went to pray at the mosques and Shiite schools. Hundreds of thousands left the company of their families to go to parks and other public places, while many others traveled long distances to visit religious sites.

This demonstrates that the improvement in the security situation has improved and that the terrorist groups and criminal gangs are being defeated. People met their friends and relatives with visible joy on their faces and for most of the holiday, words of praise and commendation for the security forces were the dominant topics of discussion. The joy and delight that overflowed throughout the holiday undoubtedly shows that in recent days, we have declared victory and expelled al-Qaeda from our beloved country.

But these and other security successes we have achieved shouldn’t prevent us from saying that we need to do more in the days and weeks to come. At a press conference a few days ago, the Iraqi Defense Minister stated that security in Diyala Province  has improved by 50 percent, and 30 percent in Ninawa Province . However, we still have much to do before our armed forces and our city councils can finish off the terrorist groups and criminal leagues that are hiding from view.

These improvements will require extraordinary effort. Add to that the presence of Takfiris groups in the region of Al-Zimberaniyah and east of the Euphrates, and north of Iskandariyah where there are still over 500 displaced families. Most of these are farming families that left their fields and cannot return to their homes.

According to information we have received, the roads leading from Salâh-ad-Dîn Province  to Kirkuk Province , and particularly near the borders of these provinces, remain insecure. Hundreds of people wanted for various crimes have fled the scenes of their crimes and have traveled to other regions and cities.

The Interior Minister must find the means to arrest these criminals because failing to do so threatens the security and stability of these areas. Finally, we are confident that our armed forces are capable of restoring security and imposing the rule of law for the good of our people in all regions of the country. This is desired by all.

Click here for Arabic Version