Tal Affar’s people urged government to flush out fighters, says government official

 

Azzaman, September 18, 2005

 

The major operation to retake the northern city of Tal Affar came following a request by the inhabitants, the city’s government-appointed officer said.

 

Najem al-Jibouri said the plea to clear Tal Affar from anti-government elements was made by both Shiite and Sunni inhabitants.

 

“The request came when armed groups spread their control on all arteries of life in the city which resulted in the deterioration of security,” Jibouri said.

 

Tal Affar is a mixed town where Sunni and Shiite Muslims have coexisted and tolerated each other for centuries.

 

But the influx of anti-U.S. and government fighters had turned life into a misery for the city, Jibouri said.

 

Jibouri was speaking at the provincial headquarters of the Province of Nineveh of which Tal Affar is a major city.

 

The provincial governor, Duraid Kashmoulla and Tal Affar’s police boss were present when Jibouri made the remarks to the newspaper.

 

Jibouri has fled to Mosul, the provincial capital, and did not say when he would go back to Tal Affar where military operations are still continuing.

 

Jibouri said the operation was “necessary’ because life in the city had come to a standstill as it became impossible for the city’s police officers to move around or visit certain quarters.

 

“Government offices had to shut down and many students missed their exams as they could not attend school regularly,” he said.

 

“Practically, the operation is over,” Jibouri said, adding that U.S. troops have now suspended their aerial bombing of Tal Affar.

 

But he said it was still dangerous for the tens of thousands of the city’s inhabitants, who have fled the fighting, to return.

 

He said the operation has “flushed out” the fighters and the troops were clearing bombs and explosive charges.

 

Asked about measures not to let the fighters return, Jibouri said: “The government will station an Iraqi army brigade in the city to secure stability and ensure that armed elements do not return.”

 

It is the second such operation on Tal Affar. U.S. troops stormed the city last year also in a bid to retake it.

 

Jibouri denied reports of massive damage and high numbers of casualties, saying “only six civilians were killed and 25 injured.”

 

“The military operation has been successful beyond our expectations,” he said.