">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iraqis to vote in al Qaeda's last stronghold
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Iraqis to vote in al Qaeda's last stronghold
Reuters - Friday, January 30
By Tim Cocks
MOSUL, Iraq - An election in two days in Iraq's most violent province, where al Qaeda and other insurgents are making a last stand, could bring Sunni Arabs back into power and ease resentment that has fuelled the bloodshed.
Iraqis vote on Saturday for the first time since 2005 in a provincial poll that is likely to redraw the political map almost six years after the U.S-led invasion triggered sectarian violence that killed tens of thousands.
The stakes are high in Nineveh in the north, an ancient battleground between rival ethnic and religious groups, which is majority Sunni Arab but some of which Kurds claim as their own.
Sunni Arabs boycotted the last provincial polls in 2005, leaving them with only 10 out of Nineveh's 41 council seats, despite making up 60 percent of the population. Kurds control 30 seats, despite being just a quarter of the population.
The imbalance has helped feed an insurgency mounted mostly by Sunnis, who dominated Iraq under Saddam Hussein. They are expected to turn out in large numbers to elect the 37 council seats being contested this time.
"The of Nineveh will take part because they see the problems that ensued from not taking part last time," Mohammed Shakir, head of the local arm of the Iraqi Islamic Party, said.
Tensions are rising between Kurds and Arabs in Iraq just as the sectarian war between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims eases.
While much of the country enjoys its best security in years, Nineveh is struggling to shake off a determined insurgency.
On Thursday, a Sunni candidate in the provincial capital Mosul, Hazem Salem Ahmed, was gunned down in front of his home, at least the second candidate to be killed there.
Al Qaeda regrouped in Nineveh in 2007 after being driven out of former strongholds in Baghdad and western Iraq.
"We're expecting that al Qaeda will try to create violence to cause disruption," said Major Karl Neal, head of U.S. military intelligence for Nineveh. "Mosul is al Qaeda's last stand."
SUICICE BOMBERS MAY ATTACK
The streets of Mosul, a ruined city home to two-thirds of Nineveh's 2.6 million inhabitants, are lined with rubble and flanked by bombed-out or half-finished buildings.
Power comes on four hours a day. Raw sewage spews into the Tigris river. On one street, children played by a flock of sheep grazing on a festering pile of trash.
"I hope the elected will take care of us and not just make empty promises," said Satar Ibrahem al-Dabbagh, who runs Mosul's al-Salaam hospital. "We need medicines, equipment, vaccines."
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, speaking to local officials and tribal leaders on a visit to Mosul, blamed the poor state of Mosul's services on the relentless violence and called for wide participation in Saturday's vote to bring citizens together.
"We will send a message to those who think Iraq is divided along ... ethnic and sectarian lines," he said.
Some in Nineveh see past such differences. "I'm from Kurdistan and I have never felt unwelcome here," said Omar Salam, a young soldier.
U.S. officials say a dozen other groups, including secular nationalists or remnants of Saddam's Baath party, are fighting in Nineveh in addition to al Qaeda.
Neal said they may stay quiet so as not be seen to be thwarting a return of Sunni Arabs to power in Nineveh.
One party hoping for success is al Hadba, a new bloc that includes former Baathists. Atheel al-Nujaifi, the party's head, himself once a Baathist, is campaigning against the U.S. occupation but also against violence. He is likely to do well.
Nujaifi accuses Kurdish Peshmerga fighters of intimidation.
"When the Kurds realise they are losing power, they are not going to be reasonable. They will want to hold on," he said.
Others in Mosul are disturbed by such rhetoric.
"He talks of ridding Mosul of Kurds. That would be ethnic cleansing," said Mosul Mayor Abdul Aziz al-Aaraji, part of the Shabak minority. "If he wins, he'll have to work with Kurds."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
Common chemical causes locusts to swarmAP - 1 hour 59 minutes ago
Turkish president walks off stage over GazaAP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago
Obama seeks GOP help for recovery billAP - 2 hours 9 minutes ago
London's Saatchi Galley shows Middle Eastern ArtAP - 2 hours 10 minutes ago
Priest in Italy defends Holocaust-denierAP - 2 hours 10 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
New York state to probe 'billions' in Merrill bonuses
Economic distress erupts on the streets
US House approves massive economic stimulus bill
Financial crisis bringing global economy to standstill: IMF
Child matador kills six bulls in Mexico
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Other News on Friday, 30 January 2009
Shoe monument for man who threw footwear at Bush
Somali pirates seize German gas tanker
A look at Blackwater in Iraq during the war
Playboy Cancels Pre-Game Super Bowl Party
Iran hopes for positive U.S. policy change
| International
|
Ford plans cuts but won't seek US aid in wake of 5.9 bln Q4 loss
Three candidates slain ahead of Iraq polls
Three candidates slain ahead of Iraq polls
| International
|
Economic distress erupts on the streets
U.S. says open Gaza border to choke arms smuggling
Russian protesters storm Putin party office
| International
|
Sudan and Chad accuse each other of helping rebels
Spanish court investigates 2002 Israeli Gaza attack
| International
|
Iraqi shoe hurler inspires art in Saddam hometown
Sunni political voice gets tuned for elections
Shoe monument for man who threw footwear at Bush
| International
|
Iraqis to vote in al Qaeda's last stronghold
Iraq bars Blackwater, tarnished by civilian deaths
UN needs more than $600m for Gaza
Pakistan arrests gang over Danish embassy attack
SKorean firm says it cloned dogs using stem cells
Afghan presidential poll delayed for poor security
Pakistan busts 'high-profile terror network': police
Obama telephones Japanese prime minister
Blagojevich Maintains He Did No Wrong, Asks Senate Not To Be Booted
Ohio Family Of Four Having Financial Struggles Dead In Murder-Suicide
Obama Puts Domestic Economy Problems On Front Burner While Juggling International Worries
Economic Issues Agenda In Obama's Feb. 19 Visit To Canada
California Seeks To End Court Oversight Of Healthcare In State Prisons
Bank of China's Zhu sees US consumption slump
Illinois May Swear In New Governor Thursday After Impeachment Trial Of Rod Blagojevich
Report: Army To Recall 16,000 Sets Of Body Armor
Fixing The Nation's Public Correctional Systems Requires New Ideas
Shell posts 2.8 bln dlr loss on tumbling oil prices
Republican Party Set To Vote For Next Chairman
Pakistan to meet initial program targets
Settlement reached on Heath Ledger's life insurance
| Entertainment
|
Pitt and Jolie too busy to celebrate
| Entertainment
|
John Updike pondered death in new poem
| Entertainment
|
Hollywood actors, studios set new contract talks
| Entertainment
|
Just A Minute With: Dancing with Stars champ Brooke Burke
| Entertainment
|
Pitt and Jolie "too busy" to celebrate
Hollywood actors, studios set new contract talks
NY Philharmonic to play short piece by teen
British songwriter John Martyn dead at 60
BC-Best-sellers-Books-PW
Doctor to late wrestler pleads guilty in drug case
Authors to Washington Post: Save Book World
John Updike pondered death in new poem
Nederlander sure 'Thriller' feud will be resolved
Filing: Settlement in Heath Ledger insurance suit
Great expectations for Yves Saint Laurent art sale
Vienna's Opera ball sold out, despite crisis: organiser
U.S. says all options on table to deal with Iran
Blackwater says it could leave Iraq with 72 hours
Russia turns back the clock with Castro visit
Amazon profit up, Kindle demand 'unusually strong'
North Korea's Kim in command after health scare: U.S.
| International
|
Official: Ahmadinejad will run for re-election
Turkish PM storms out of heated Mideast debate
| International
|
British govt promises broadband access for all
Stem cells 'reset' immune system in MS patients: study
First black Iraqi runs in elections
US-TECH Summary
Battle lines harden on US stimulus
Nortel exits WiMax business
Obama, allies move stimulus fight into high gear
North Korea scraps all accords with South
| International
|
Obama envoy meets Palestinian leaders in West Bank
Whiners or satirists? Blog charts woes of dating Wall St bankers
Chavez tells Obama to give Guantanamo back to Cuba
| International
|
US tech sector job cuts hit five-year high: firm
RIM's Storm costlier to make than iPhone: report
India to sign IAEA deal on Monday: ambassador
| International
|
Somalia's parliament to elect new president
| International
|
Pakistan seizes suspects in Danish Embassy attack
NKorea declares past accords with South 'dead'
North Korea scraps all accords with South
NKorea says it won't honor past accords with South
U.S. says North Korea's Kim in command after health scare
UN nuclear chief supports US-Iran talks
RIM's Storm costlier to make than iPhone: report
| Technology
|
Jan 29 Highlights In U.S. Economy
Alaska's Mount Redoubt Displays Increased Seismic Activity
UN nuclear chief says Obama offers hope of 'saner' world
Whiners or satirists? Blog charts woes of dating Wall St bankers
| Technology
|
Developing: Illinois State Senate Votes To Remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich
Wall Street Dips On Jobs, Housing Data
Nortel exits WiMax business
| Technology
|
Jobless Claims Hit New Record; Highest Since Recording Began In 1967
Obama Signs Emergency Declaration For Storm-Hit Kentucky And Arkansas
Report: Toyota expecting first net loss
SKorea records current account surplus for third month
Toyota to revise down profit forecast further: reports
Japan industrial production falls, unemployment up
Seoul shares open lower as econ worries weigh
Japanese inflation slows sharply as economy cools
S.Korea c.bank says 2-3 pct growth unlikely in '09
China pledges multi-million-dollar aid to Senegal
Settlement reached on Heath Ledger's life insurance
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Up to seven firms could bid for fraud-hit Satyam: director
Pitt and Jolie too busy to celebrate
| Entertainment
| Reuters
John Updike pondered death in new poem
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Hollywood has a lot riding on Steve Jobs
Hollywood actors, producers union to meet next week
Kelly Clarkson leaps to top of singles chart
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Hollywood actors, studios set new contract talks
| Entertainment
| Reuters
U2, Plant/Krauss join Grammy lineup
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Just A Minute With: Dancing with Stars champ Brooke Burke
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Dylan, will.i.am on tap for Super Bowl ad
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Child star, parents happy to be part of `Slumdog'
Dylan, will.i.am on tap for Super Bowl ad
Slumdog film team defend treatment of slum kids
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Hollywood has a lot riding on Steve Jobs
Hollywood has a lot riding on Steve Jobs
| Entertainment
| Reuters
Wyeth's 'Christina's World' in Pa. this weekend
Jennifer Hudson films new video
James Brown survivors await settlement over estate
Springsteen hopes to inspire in Super Bowl show
U2, Plant/Krauss join Grammy lineup
Kelly Clarkson leaps to top of singles chart
`Anytime' squeezes talk show into 5 minutes online
Scientists Predict Eruption On Alaska's Mount Redoubt
Ohio Family Having Financial Struggles Dead In Murder-Suicide
Iraqi city of Mosul key electoral battlefield
U.S. says open Gaza border to choke arms smuggling
| International
|
Plastered in posters, Iraq's Basra waits for polls
Dell plots smartphone foray, eyes Apple: report
Iran hopes for positive U.S. policy change
| International
|
Turkish PM returns to hero's welcome after Gaza row
Soldier suicides hit record in 2008: US Army
North Korea, trying to jolt Obama, warns South
| International
|
Forty people missing after Kenya supermarket blaze
| International
|
Pakistan says nine bomb attack suspects arrested
| International
|
Diplomat says Mumbai attack not planned in Pakistan
| International
|
Illinois lawmakers oust corruption-tainted governor
Oil languishes below $42 on bad US economic news
Sri Lanka urged to end war reporting ban
Dell plots smartphone foray, eyes Apple: report
| Technology
|
US military judge refuses to suspend Guantanamo trial
Oil higher after OPEC comments
Indian PM to leave hospital this weekend: report
Russia's Lavrov urges 'new era of co-operation'
U.S. Military Recalls Peanut Butter Products In European Bases
Jailed Ex-CIA Spy In New Espionage Charges, Son Also Indicted
Nine Pakistan suspects due in court over attacks
Fidel Castro demands Obama return Guantanamo base
Hackers Steal Data Of Millions Of Jobseekers From Monster.com
US envoy backs UN's 'responsibility' to civilians
Blackwater Banned In Iraq For 'Excessive Use Of Force'
Senate approves bill to delay digital TV
| Technology
|
Indonesia prosecutors want life for ex-bank official
Ailing Castro throws first punch at Obama
War Court Judge Defies Obama, Will Try USS Cole Bombing Suspect
Williams sisters win Auz tennis doubles title
Developing: Quinn Replaces Impeached Blago As Illinois Governor
WHO refuses to rule out pig-to-human transmission of Ebola virus
Venezuela's Citgo resumes heating oil donations
Malaysia battling worst-ever dengue outbreak
Rohingya not recognized as ethnic group in Myanmar
4 more Filipinos had Ebola Reston virus infection
Hitachi forecasts $7.8 bln loss, cuts 7,000 jobs
Japan shares fall on weak earnings, economic data
SKorea's industrial output plunges in December
Japan top mobile carrier says 9-month profit rises
Honda quarterly profit slumps, cuts annual target
Seoul shares end 0.4 pct lower; but Hynix rallies
WRAPUP 3-S.Korea's c.bank vows to do all it can to help economy
Jiangxi plans $17 billion in railway spending
Action pic Taken primed to take box-office crown
| Entertainment
|
Online Job Site Hacked For Third Time, Data Of Millions Of Users Stolen
Piracy, controversy mar Slumdog's India run
| Entertainment
|
Kelly Clarkson leaps to top of singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Senate approves bill to delay digital TV
| Entertainment
|
'Idol': Judges misconstrued 'Be careful' remark
U2, Plant/Krauss join Grammy lineup
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Action pic "Taken" primed to take box-office crown
Madonna resuming Sticky & Sweet tour
| Entertainment
|
Senate approves bill to delay digital TV
Fox to pick up Narnia franchise for third film
| Entertainment
|
Piracy, controversy mar Slumdog's India run
Dylan, will.i.am on tap for Super Bowl ad
| Entertainment
|
Madonna resuming Sticky & Sweet tour
Springsteen promises high-energy halftime show
Fox to pick up Narnia franchise for third film
Heated Gaza Debate Sparks Walkout By Turkish Prime Minister
Father And Son Spies Charged For Getting Espionage Payments From Russia
Turkish PM returns to hero's welcome after Gaza row
| International
|
Turkish PM hailed as hero after Davos spat
Iraq on high alert after election candidates shot dead
Economic crisis savages Japanese companies
Zimbabwe opposition to decide on joining government
Police again question Israel's Olmert on corruption
Erdogan receives hero's welcome after Gaza spat
Plastered in posters, Iraq's Basra waits for polls
| International
|
New deal reached on Fortis asset sale to BNP
Zimbabwe's MDC seen backing Tsvangirai on cabinet
| International
|
U.S. says all options on table to deal with Iran
Philippines says finds four new human Ebola cases
| International
|
Somali parliament to elect new president
| International
|
After confrontation, back to business at Davos
Poverty drives Myanmar Rohingyas into death traps
| International
|
Castro takes first swipe at Obama
SKorean allegedly confesses to killing 7 women
Piano prodigy back home for Seoul concerts
Sri Lanka to rebels: Let civilians flee war zone
Feature: Gateway City To The FL Keys Signals Mixed Omens For Regional Economy
Watchdog urges media access to Sri Lankan war zone
Court Favors Schwarzenegger, 2-Day Unpaid Forced Leave For State Workers Upheld
Grim Report Expected For Q4
After Meeting With Economic Team, President Decries $18 Billion Worth Of Wall Street Bonuses
Sultan backs bigger Brunei role in Philippines peace talks: Manila
Diplomat: Mumbai attack not planned in Pakistan
Philippines orders closure of refugee camps in south
Analysis: Obama-China relations off to rocky start
Thousands flock to Islamic gathering in Bangladesh
Honda quarterly profits dive 89%
Japan factory output plunges, jobless rate jumps
DAVOS-S.Korea currency market basically stabilised -PM
NEC's loss widens, plans to cut 20,000 workers
Japan's NEC cutting 20,000 jobs
NEC to cut 20,000 jobs worldwide as losses widen
Hitachi sees massive loss
Honda cuts annual forecast as 3Q profit tumbles
HK stocks climb on China stimulus hopes
ANA posts quarterly loss due to weak travel demand
Kelly Clarkson leaps to top of singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Iran cleric tells Obama not to repeat Bush's warnings
ETA vows to fight on as it marks 50th anniversary
Hamas wants new leadership for Palestinians
| International
|
Hitachi warns of $7.8 billion loss, to restructure
Folk Legend John Martyn Dies At 60
Spotlight on vote-buying on eve of Iraqi ballot
Russia and Cuba seal new partnership at Kremlin
| International
|
Octuplets' mother already had six children: report
Heath Ledger's $10 Million Insurance Lawsuit Settled
Group: Settlement info implicates Israeli gov't
Jessica Simpson And Father Joe Simpson Accused Of Causing Fitness Company Meltdown
Ethiopia says 4.9 million people need food aid
| International
|
Exxon notches record profit of $45.22 bln
Mumbai attack not planned in Pakistan: diplomat
| International
|
Priests' comments on Jews, Muslims embarrass Pope
| International
|
US puts up $20 million for Gaza relief
Diplomat: Mumbai attack not planned in Pakistan
Hitachi warns of $7.8 billion loss, to restructure
| Technology
|
Sri Lanka rules out cease-fire with rebels
Oil below $42 on dismal US economic outlook
Diplomat says Mumbai attack not planned in Pakistan
Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia