Blair Pledges Support for Iraqi Government Amid Escalating Violence

Strategic Insights -

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's surprise visit to Baghdad on Sunday pledged British support for the Iraqi government in its fight against sectarian violence, while also vowing to keep British troops in Iraq "until the job is done." At a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, Blair emphasized the importance of economic and political reconciliation in quelling the violence, echoing sentiments from some US generals.

Meanwhile, a group of gunmen in police commando uniforms kidnapped 25 employees from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in Baghdad, with seven later being released. This was the third such kidnapping since November, and comes as President George W. Bush weighs options for a major overhaul of US policy in Iraq, including a possible troop surge.

Key Takeaways:

  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged British support for the Iraqi government, vowing to keep troops in Iraq "until the job is done."
  • Blair emphasized the importance of economic and political reconciliation in quelling the violence, echoing sentiments from some US generals.
  • Gunmen in police commando uniforms kidnapped 25 employees from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, with seven later being released.
  • The kidnapping is the third of its kind since November, and represents a continuation of a tactic used by armed men in Iraq.
  • The US military is considering a proposal to hand over control of Baghdad to the Iraqi government by March, but will only do so if certain conditions are met.
  • Brigadier General Dana Pittard, who oversees the Americans training the Iraqi Army, stated that the goal of handing over control was "not unreachable," and that the number of American trainers with Iraqi troops would be doubled or tripled in the near future.

Statistics:

  • 25 employees were kidnapped from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society on Sunday, with seven later being released.
  • This was the third such kidnapping since November, and ties with previous incidents where mass seizures of employees were targeted.
  • 34 people were taken in a security company raid in March, and 32 bodies were found in Baghdad on Sunday.
  • The US military has a current presence of over 5,000 trainers with Iraqi troops, and plans to double or triple this number.
  • The Iraqi government wants the US military to hand over control of Baghdad by March.

Sources:

  • Reuters: "British PM Blair in Baghdad, backs Iraq handover plan"
  • Reuters: "Iraq's al-Maliki admits mistakes, seeks Blair's help"
  • The Associated Press: "Red Cross says 7 of 25 kidnapped Iraq Red Crescent Society employees released"
  • The Associated Press: "Red Cross says it's in contact with Iraqi Interior Ministry, denies involvement"
  • "Iraqna" executive cited by The Associated Press
  • Brigadier General Dana Pittard's statement at a press roundtable on Sunday