Iraq government bans all movement in Baghdad

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23396720.htm

BAGHDAD, June 23 (Reuters) - Iraq's government will impose a curfew in Baghdad on Friday, from 2 p.m. (1000 GMT) until 6 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Saturday, banning the movement of people and vehicles, state television reported.

There was already an 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (0700-1100 GMT) ban on traffic in the capital.

It was not immediately clear why the government imposed a curfew, but there is an ongoing security clampdown in Baghdad.

National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie denied media reports that a state of emergency had been declared.

[bigtree]

1. prisoners of Baghdad

[n2doc]

2. last throes, baby! last throes!

:sarcasm:

[PATRICK]

3. To have a state of emergency

you need a "state" willing to immediately deal with it. This is a fairly clever way to "control" a riot by ordering what is probably happening anyway. A moderate stoppage of traffic expansion. Getting the people off the streets on a Friday might happen anyway as the riot simply burns itself out. I would well like to know what security forces are out there putting this minor curfew expansion into force.

Meanwhile what would happen if the riot bulges around the American zone and more serious shooting starts without the engagement of the government forces? If I were the Iraqi government in the process of implementing a peace plan that eliminates the American presence this would seem an opportune moment to drop the ball(not a "state" emergency) into their bumbling laps. Even the insurgents could comfortably get the people between themselves and the Americans under siege. But a mob is unpredictable so who knows?

[NNN0LHI]

4. I wonder how many dead Iraqis will be found strewn about in the morning? nt

[TahitiNut]

5. Hmmm... that's their Sabbath.

Interesting. Mosque bombings?