Saddam village becomes open detention centre

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=102178

Iraq Welcome to the birthplace of Saddam Hussain. Some call it a detention centre. Some call it a gated community. Either way, it is Iraq's most extraordinary neighbourhood.

Since last week, this attractive suburb overlooking the Tigris River has been surrounded by four miles of razor-sharp concertina wire and guarded by heavily armed US troops. Within those confines are the homes of Saddam's relatives: 3,000 people who trace their common lineage back as many as ten generations - and who prospered under the deposed dictator's reign.

Today, all entrances to Al Awja except one have been sealed. No one can go in or out without the US Army's permission. Every male over age 15 must register with police and show a newly issued identification card at the gate. All vehicles are searched coming and going. US trucks and tanks patrol the streets. Officials who have been scouring the country looking for Saddam say they are confident he is not holed up in the town. They say they began imposing the new restrictions Friday to protect residents from the lawlessness of the new Iraq and from enemies of the former president.

But that's not how Saddam's many cousins see it.

"It's like a big jail," said Musaab Gazi Al Khattab, 23, a distant cousin of Saddam's who was a student at the Air Force College until the war ended his studies.
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I hope it won't be necessary to liquidate Saddam Village.

does not sound like a ghetto. Have you been there?

http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Holocaust/bialystok.html

And I am hoping it does NOT happen, obviously.

continues.

I guess the U.S. military is following the Israeli playbook now. Yeah, that should work out since it has worked so well in Israel with the Palestinians.