permaculture

[Russ Grayson <pacedge@magna.com.au>]

If anyone is planning permaculture-type aid projects in Iraq in the near future, or is a member of an NGO about to be deployed to Iraq, or is going to cover Iraq for a media organisation, be aware that the security situation for NGOs and the media is detoriorating. The US military occupying Baghdad have suffered attacks this past week, but now NGO vehicles are coming under fire and there are reports that the same may have happened to media vehicles.

An email I received this evening states that: " ...there are suggestions now that the attacks appear to be orchestrated and organised. There have also been reported incidents against Media and NGO vehicles. Eg. A shot was fired at the windscreen of one car – which luckily was armoured. Convoys travelling between Baghdad and Jordan are still reporting being approached by ‘rogue’ vehicles obviously intent on robbery and car jacking. There have been a number of incidents where shots have been fired at cars and evasive action has been necessary.

"To the south an NGO (UN) vehicle was stopped at gunpoint the occupants robbed and the car stolen. This occurred on Monday June 9th. Similarly a week ago a car with Arab speaking media personnel was stopped and taken at gunpoint in the Saddam City area of Baghdad. In another incident a vehicle was stopped on the Ramadi road. A laptop and money was stolen.

"Very reliable and specific intelligence indicates the high likely hood of an impending major attack against Coalition forces and/or Westerners within Baghdad. It is envisaged that the modus operandi of the attack will be similar to that used in the bombing of residential complex’s in Saudi during mid-May. The timeframe given for this attack was 24 - 96 hours from Sunday 8th May.

"Alarmingly incidents against media and NGO vehicles and personnel appear to be on the increase. Of more serious concern is the fact that these attacks increasingly involve the firing of weapons directly at vehicles. The main area for concern continues to be the Feluja Ramadi areas on the Jordan convoy route. However the southern route to Kuwait has now also seen an upsurge in incidents. All the security advisors in theatre agree that Convoy discipline is vital. Cars must remain close up to prevent becoming isolated and easy prey. Use of a lead and rear vehicle for blocking and defence is highly recommended. Further sitreps will be published on receipt from advisors in Baghdad / Basra / Tikrit."

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Russ Grayson
Media services:  journalism-print/ online/ photo
pacedge@magna.com.au  Phone/ fax: 02 9588 6931
PO Box 446 Kogarah NSW 2217 Australia