Qanbar orders tens of thousands of Baghdad squatters forcibly removed under 'emergency powers'

BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 — The Iraqi government announced late Tuesday that its security forces in the capital would forcibly remove tens of thousands of people from homes that they are occupying illegally as part of an aggressive effort, tantamount to martial law, to reverse the tide of sectarian cleansing that has left Baghdad bloodied and balkanized.

Lt. Gen. Aboud Qanbar, who was named by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to head the new security crackdown in Baghdad, announced the new campaign, which he said would have the force of law, during a nationally televised speech in which he claimed sweeping emergency powers.

The scope of the announcement appeared to catch the American military command by surprise. Enforcement of the housing provision alone would face considerable obstacles.

Under General Qanbar’s decree, the border crossings to Iran and Syria will be temporarily closed effective immediately, as the Iraqi security forces try to reassert control in this lawless capital city.

The government extended the curfew in Baghdad by one hour, stretching from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m., and announced a major drive to get weapons off the streets and the creation of new checkpoints run by Ministries of Defense and Interior, both of which General Qanbar said he now controlled.

Read the rest at the NY Times

Related Link:
Maliki decree gives Baghdad commander Qanbar sweeping 'emergency powers' over police, army, populace

Related Link:
Maliki: 'Heavy deployment' of Iraqi forces coming this week in Baghdad

Related Link:
Report: Infighting hampering Baghdad crackdown, searches finding little

Related Link:
Iraqi Policy Report: U.S. should concentrate crackdown on Sunnis, leave Shiites alone

Related Link:
Report: Baghdad 'crackdown' begins

Related Link:
Iraqi VP Hashemi says National Police preventing food, medicine from reaching Sunnis, cooperating in death squads

Related Link:
Iraqi general to take control of Baghdad military security operations

Related Link:
Petraeus: Mercenaries vital part of effort

Related Link:
Sources: Baghdad offensive set to begin on a scale 'unlike anything this city has seen'

Related Link:
Analysis: Iraqi brigades only at half-strength for Baghdad 'push'

Related Link:
Gates: Only 55% of Iraqi troops show for Baghdad push; Says support personnel for 'surge' between 2,800 and 4,200

Related Link:
Report: 90,000 U.S., Iraqi combined force readying for Baghdad 'crackdown'

Related Link:
Petraeus says U.S. may use notorious Iraqi FPS security forces in Baghdad push

Related Link:
Report: 1.5 million Iraqis now internally displaced, most due to threats