Desperate Measures, In Desperate Times...

Baghdad lockdown ordered in bid to stop bombers

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Tens of thousands of Iraqi security personnel are to form a tight cordon around Baghdad involving hundreds of checkpoints in a bid to stem a spate of deadly car bombings, Defence Minister Saadun al-Dulaimi told reporters.

"We're going to set up a security cordon around Baghdad ... and it will be impossible for terrorists to cross," he said Thursday, adding that the plan would come into operation next week before being extended to the provinces.

Dulaimi made the announcement at a joint press conference with Interior Minister Bayan Baqer Solagh and near the end of a bloody month that has seen more than 600 Iraqis killed in insurgent attacks.

"The objective is to pass from a defensive position to an offensive one and to put the capacities of defence and interior ministry forces to the best use," said Solagh.

"Since April 15, there have been 115 car bombs, of which 13 were defused. Since May 22, 578 terrorists, including non-Iraqi Arabs, have been arrested and six million dollars seized," said Solagh.

Dubbed Operation Lightning, the lockdown will involve dividing Russafa (the east of the city) into seven sectors and Kharkh (west) into 15, as well as setting up 675 fixed checkpoints and a number of mobile barrages, said Dulaimi.

Security forces "will face with force anyone who tries to spill Iraqi blood ... There is no room in Iraq for terrorists, those who shelter them or those who incite them," he said.

"Those who are arrested in the first days of the operation will have a swift trial," said Solagh, adding that the justice ministry had been asked to supply extra judges to fast-track suspects' trials, with many alleged militants currently being held for long periods without any hearing.

Security forces would "smother terrorists in their homes and the workshops where they assemble car bombs", he said.

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