A look at the Marines charged in killings of Iraqis

A look at Marines charged in high-profile killings on Iraqis in Haditha, Hamdania, Fallujah

Source

US shoots down Iranian drone

Senior Iraqi military official: Iranian drone aircraft shot down over Iraq in February was shot down by an American plane.

Source: Reuters

Iraqi sovereignty restored

U.S. military now under Iraqi mandate. Iraq controls security in all provinces. U.S. forces to leave within 3 years, British forces to leave within 7 months. Only 238 civilians died in December.

Source: Reuters

Protests over jailed Iraqi journalist who threw shoe at President Bush

Jailed Iraqi journalist who threw shoe at President Bush is being hailed as hero. His employer, the al-Baghdadia television station, demanded: “that the Iraqi authorities immediately release Muntazer al-Zaidi, in line with the democracy and freedom of expression that the American authorities promised the Iraqi people. Any measures against Muntazer will be considered the acts of a dictatorial regime.”

Source: Times Online

More Muslims have protested the arrest of this journalist than did the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Attacks in Iraq lowest since war began

November attacks in Iraq are lowest since the beginning of the war. 8 combat deaths – near the lowest level since the beginning of the war. Starting in January, Iraq will have approval and oversight of U.S. operations

Source: Military.com

Questions raised over Syrian complicity in US raid

Washington sources say U.S. carried out special operations raid with Syrian cooperation. Intelligence cooperation with Syria has been on the rise. Syria may be relying on U.S. turning a blind eye to incursions into Lebanon.

Source: Times Online (UK)

US Casualties in Iraq at all-time low

October U.S. troop deaths in Iraq fall to all-time low of 13. Deaths in Afghanistan down to 15.

Source: AP

US transfers control of Wasit province to Iraq

U.S. military transfers security responisbility of Wasit province to Iraq. Iraq now fully controls 13 of the 18 provinces.

Source: LA Times

Update: Syrian al Qaeda network decapitated by U.S. raid

Al Qaeda leader Abu Ghadiya was killed in US incursion into Syria, along with foreign fighter network’s entire senior leadership. Syria claims 8 civilians were killed, including women and children, however an AP reporter who witnessed the funeral only saw men. Network’s leadership had been openly living in Syria.

Source: Long War Journal

CIA paramilitary officers and Task Force 88 participated in the assault. Syria has ended high-level diplomacy with the US as a result of the attack. Iran has joined Syria in denouncing the attack.

Al Qaeda Uses 24 Children as Suicide Bombers in 2 Years

Al Qaeda used 24 children to carry out suicide bombings in Iraq over the last 2 years. Many had mental disabilities or were homeless.

Original Article (Adnkronos International)