"We will also impose a stringent blockade around Baghdad , like a bracelet around an arm," Dulaimi said (Reuters)

BAGHDAD, May 26, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The Iraqi government revealed on Thursday, May 26, a new security plan to deploy 40,000 security forces in Baghdad, in the first major security action undertaken by the new Iraqi government to maintain security in the capital.

"We will also impose a stringent blockade around Baghdad , like a bracelet around an arm," Defense Minister Saadun Al-Dulaimi told a press conference, reported Reuters.

"No one will be able to penetrate this blockade," he said, adding that the operation, code-named Operation Thunder, will later expand beyond Baghdad to cover other parts of the country.

The 40,000 troops would be drawn from the interior and defense ministry forces and would begin operating in the capital by next week, he said.

The operation will reportedly involve dividing Russafa (the east of the capital) into seven sectors and Kharkh (west) into 15.

It will also incorporate the setting up of 645 fixed checkpoints and a number of mobile barrages.

"You will witness unprecedented, strict security measures," Dulaimi told reporters.

Interior Minister Baqir Solagh told the same conference that the aim is "to turn the government's role from defensive to offensive".

Attacks

The new security plan came as ten people were killed Thursday in a series of attacks across the war-torn country.

Three people were killed and six others wounded in Baghdad when a car bomber blew up his vehicle near an Iraqi police patrol in Shola.

Two other officials were also assassinated in the capital on Thursday, including a member of the Shiite Dawa party, headed by Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, police said.

The other was Professor Moussa Salum, a deputy dean at Baghdad 's Mustansiriya University , who was shot dead along with three bodyguards.

In central Baghdad , Thamer Ghaidan, a director general at the industry ministry, was shot dead in a drive-by-shooting.

And in Tal Afar, an Iraqi child was killed by the US occupation forces who claimed the child was shot dead when they returned fire after coming under attack.

Onslaught

American forces launched Wednesday, May 15, a massive onslaught on the town of Haditha , 200 km northwest of Baghdad , involving 1,000 US Marines and sailors, backed by Iraqi forces, Reuters said.

The operation, codenamed New Market, is the second in the area this month as US forces are stepping up their man-hunt for followers of Iraq 's most wanted man, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.

Internet posting suggested Zarqawi, who has a $25 million bounty on his head, was wounded in fighting with US occupation forces but did not say when, where or how.

Other reports posted on the Internet said he had been shot in the chest, but these could not be independently confirmed.

Solagh told the Thursday's press conference he had confirmation that Zarqawi had been wounded, but would not say how he knew.

Earlier on Thursday, another Internet posting said the leaders of al Qaeda network in Iraq had met and decided to appoint a deputy to Zarqawi until he recovered.

However, hours later, another posting dismissed that report.

"We deny what was issued about the appointment of the so-called Abu Hafs or any other name," said the later posting.

US forces invaded Iraq in March 2003 on claims of finding weapons of mass destruction, none of which was ever found.