Free Republic

BASRA — Iraqi Security Forces recently uncovered hundreds of historical artifacts during two raids in northern Basra. The 228 ancient artifacts included Sumerian and Babylonian sculpture, gold jewelry and other items from ancient Mesopotamia.“This is my favorite item,” said Iraqi Col. Ali Sabah, commander of the Basra Emergency Battalion that led the operation, holding a piece of gold jewelry. “It’s gold from the Babylon ages and about 6,000 years old. It doesn’t have a price.”“I’m very happy because this is my civilization’s heritage,” he said.The Basra Emergency Battalion led raid operated from tips that smugglers intended to remove the...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1-10 Cavalry Regiment, 172 Infantry Brigade unearthed potentially ancient pottery artifacts, while preparing to excavate a site for the building of a patrol base for the Iraqi Army in the Mahawil area Dec. 11. The Soldiers immediately stopped construction and restricted access to the site until someone with archeological expertise could be contacted and survey the site to determine if the pottery shards were of cultural importance and antiquity. Capt. Christopher Neyman, the C Troop commander, arrived at the scene and ensured the site was protected by establishing a 24 hour...

Saddam and the Third Reich Few people realize that the Baath party was actually formed upon the principles and organizational structure of the Nazi party. Iraq, because of its oil and hatred of Jews, was an important battleground between the Axis and Allied powers in World War II. Nazi propaganda was broadcast throughout Baghdad, and Iraqis often went on rampages against Jews throughout the war. One of the most ardent Nazi supporters during WWII was named Khairallah Talfah. Talfah was Saddam's uncle. After the war, many of the key Iraqi Nazi supporters, all of whom evaded prosecution, wound up involved...

A military revolt in Iraq overthrows the monarchy and prompts King Hussein of Jordan to call for British and US military help to avert a similar rebellion in his country. ********************************************************************** 1958: Coup in Iraq sparks jitters in Middle East A group of Iraqi army officers have staged a coup in Iraq and overthrown the monarchy. Baghdad Radio announced the Army has liberated the Iraqi people from domination by a corrupt group put in power by "imperialism". From now on Iraq would be a republic that would "maintain ties with other Arab countries". It said some 12,000 Iraqi troops based...

The mirage of a united IraqPresident Bush Sr. allowed Saddam Hussein to remain in power in order to maintain a united Iraq, which turned out to be one of the worst decisions he made as president. His son is in significant danger of losing Iraq due to the same mistake. It’s time the preconception of the necessity of a united Iraq was reassessed, since the US, may be missing viable opportunities while fruitlessly chasing after mirages in the desert.Jonathan Ariel and Shlomo Dror A week before the interim Iraqi government assumes responsibility for managing the affairs of the country, the...

The Fall of Baghdad by Edmund Candler, Manchester Guardian, 16 March 1917 Our vanguard entered Baghdad soon after nine o'clock this morning. The city is approached by an unmetalled road between palm groves and orange gardens. Crowds of Baghdadis came out to meet us: Persians, Krabe, Jew, Armenians, Chaldeans and Christians of diverse sects and races. They lined the streets, balconies and roofs, hurrahing and clapping their hands. Groups of schoolchildren danced in front of us, shouting and cheering, and the women of the city turned out in their holiday dresses. The people of the city have been robbed to...