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  • IRAQ: Normally crowded streets of Baghdad seem empty on Friday after curfew imposed by the government several months ago

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IRAQ: Normally crowded streets of Baghdad seem empty on Friday after curfew imposed by the government several months ago

The normally crowded streets of Baghdad seems empty with very little traffic and tightened police and army checkpoints on Friday (October 27). Iraqi police and traffic police fanned out across Baghdad, manning checkpoints, monitoring all roads of the capital. Iraqi soldier, Saad Saddam said that the security situation will be improved in Iraq due to the new instructions issued by the Ministry of Interior. "God willing, the security situation will be improved. The Ministry of Interior has issued new instructions, better than before and now the security situation during the days of Eid is almost good. No serious (attack) took place and people feel secure enough to go out and enjoy the Eid under our protection," Saddam said. Another Iraqi soldier, Ayad Awad said that Iraqi officers and commanders are following up their work "There are daily instructions, our commanders and officers of our unites are following up our career. The instructions have been developed day by day," he said. Several months ago, Iraqi authorities imposed a vehicle ban in Baghdad for four hour starts from 1100 a.m until 0300 p.m. (0800 GMT until 1200 GMT), official holiday for Muslims in a move to stem violence after attacks of insurgents to number of religious gatherings and mosque prayers. Iraq' Prime MInister Nuri al-Maliki, given only qualified backing by U.S. President George W. Bush in comments this week aimed at reassuring Americans over his project in Iraq, told Reuters on Thursday his Shi'ite-led government could get violence under control in six months if U.S. forces gave them more weapons and responsibility. The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ended this week, saw an upsurge in attacks, as in previous years. Major General William Caldwell said there was a sharp drop in the days since it ended but it was too soon to call it a trend.

ITN Source | October 28, 2006Watch more videos from ITN Source

Tags:. .attacks. .government. .bush. .thursday. .fanned











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