Norman Kember - free
The beginning of the 4th year of the Iraq war was punctuated with upbeat speeches from George W Bush, insisting that America would prevail in its War on Terror. As he spoke, Operation Swarmer continued north of Baghdad. The reports from this latest offensive dried up after the weekend. And it is not clear how much was achieved in the operation which seemed only to round up a handful of insurgents and result in the seizing of a few arms caches. The bombs and suicide attacks continued however, and on Friday a Danish soldier was killed by a roadside bomb. Two more US soldiers were also killed in the Anbar Province, increasing the death toll of US dead to 2,322. And attacks on civilians continued with at least 5 killed on Friday. The bomb attack targeted a mosque in Khalis, 60 km north-east of Baghdad. At least 17 were injured in the attack [BBC]. On Thursday around 30 died in Baghdad alone in a series of explosions [BBC].
This week’s headlines were also dominated with the ongoing terror trial at the Old Bailey. Seven individuals face life for their part in a terror plot foiled by police. It is alleged that they had intended to commit a series of terrorist attacks across the British mainland with explosives made from fertilizer. ‘Supergrass’ Mohammed Babar, who has been given immunity from prosecution in the UK, but not the US to where he faces extradition, told the court that he had discussed various terror plots with the accused and that he himself had met with Abu Hamza, the now jailed radical cleric. Amongst the ideas discussed was a plot to poison fast food and beer and target football matches. They had also intended to target telephone exchanges, gas and electrical infrastructure, according to the prosecution. Earlier in the week it was alleged that one suspect had attempted to by a ‘radio-isotope bomb’ from the Russian mafia. They had also planned to target night clubs and transport systems [BBC]. The trial continues, as does the War on Terror, the war in Iraq, and the continuing turmoil in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan the government is facing increasing international pressure after a man is set to be sentenced to death for having converted to Christianity from Islam [BBC]. Also in Afghanistan a British soldier has died. He is said to have died Wednesday but not from hostile action, a brief MoD report said [BBC].
A former Bomb Disposal Officer who lost a leg in Iraq was this week awarded the George Cross for bravery. Cpt Peter Norton received the commendation on Friday [BBC].
A new report from the US authorities this week also revealed a fresh insight to the prelude to the Iraq war. The Saddam report as it is being referred to, gives a feel for what the former president was thinking prior to the US invasion. The Pentagon report also alleges Russian collusion with Iraq prior to war [BBC].
On the news that Norman Kember had been freed, his wife Pat was said to be ‘overjoyed’. But the SAS led raid, carefully planned after a lucky break has gained little praise from Kember or the organisation of which he belongs. The group had said that no force should be used in order to gain their freedom and besides a short statement expressing his relief of being free he failed to offer thanks to his liberators. This seemed to rattle the MoD’s Michael Jackson who on Channel 4 News said that he hoped it was not true that the servicemen who had risked their lives to save them were criticised by the freed captives. The operation was intelligence led after a suspect, arrested on Tuesday, gave an address at which the Christian Peacemakers Team were being held. US, UK and Iraqi forces stormed the address and found three men tied up in the building. No exchange of fire took place and it is understood that the kidnappers had already fled the scene. Norman Kember has in the meantime been transferred to Kuwait via the British Embassy in the strongly fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. He is expected to arrive in London on Saturday [BBC]
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