The Iraqi government has begun constructing a wall and moat around Baghdad, the capital of the country, to prevent militants from entering the city and to reduce the number of checkpoints surrounding it. Saad Maan, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, told the Associated Press on Wednesday, February 3, that this wall and moat will be built along a 100-kilometer stretch in the northern and northwestern areas of the capital. According to the Ministry of Interior, the construction work started this week. The wall is expected to be three meters high, but Maan did not mention the dimensions of the moat. Since 2003, when the U.S.-led international coalition invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein's regime, the capital has witnessed daily terrorist operations such as bombings and shootings against security forces and residents. On the same Wednesday when the announcement of the wall and moat construction was made, eight people were killed and 28 others were injured in various parts of the city. Currently, parts of Iraq have been under the control of the Islamic State (ISIS) for over a year. The central government of Iraq also has limited control over the Kurdish regions in the north, which are administered by the autonomous Kurdistan Region. According to United Nations statistics, in the last month alone, 490 civilians were killed and over 1,100 others were injured in Iraq.
Construction of Wall and Moat Around Baghdad 'To Prevent Entry of Militants'
The Iraqi government has started building a wall and moat around Baghdad to prevent militant entry and reduce checkpoints. This construction comes amid ongoing violence in the city, with recent attacks resulting in casualties. The situation highlights the ongoing security challenges Iraq faces, particularly from ISIS.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iraqi government has begun constructing a wall and moat around Baghdad to prevent militants from entering the city and to reduce the number of security checkpoints. This construction is a response to ongoing violence, including recent attacks that resulted in casualties.
- The wall will stretch 100 kilometers and be three meters high.
- Recent violence in Baghdad has resulted in multiple casualties, highlighting the security challenges faced by the government.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq has struggled with violence and instability, particularly from groups like ISIS. The government's efforts to secure Baghdad reflect the ongoing battle against terrorism.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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