17 killed in Baghdad prison escape attempt

So much for Iraq and its security situation leading up to the US withdrawal at the end of the year? Are they sure they can handle the momentous task ahead of them? I wonder? Mastermind of the deadly Iraqi Church siege staged a daring escape, and along with other inmates killed scores of people.

17 killed in Baghdad prison escape attempt

The suspected mastermind of October's gruesome massacre at a Baghdad church attempted a daring jailbreak Sunday and killed several police officers before he and his accomplices were shot dead.

The running battles inside a detention facility on the grounds of the Interior Ministry ended with 11 detainees and six officers dead, according to security commanders.

This prisoner was the worst of the worst, and this incident happening as it has leaves some doubt to how well off Iraq is according to the MSM. Crucial government positions remain vacant like the role of Interior and Defense Ministers. Both have roles in managing security and military affairs. The US military is leaving at the end of the year, and leading up to that day no one has been at the helm developing strategies, procuring weapons, setting budgets, or filling positions at the respective ministries. Apparently some of the Iraqi politicians are seeing the writing on the wall post US departure, and the overall bungling of the Al-Maliki led coalition government.

17 killed in Baghdad prison escape attempt

"Security forces are politicized and working for the interest of political entities. We see such incidents are always happening on both the Iraqi street and in prisons," said Nabeel Haraboo, a lawmaker with the Iraqiya list, a secular bloc that has competed for power with Maliki.

Hakim Zamili, a lawmaker with Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr's movement, said Al Qaeda in Iraq members had access to phones and could plan activities from inside the jail.

How can one of the most dangerous inmates in Iraq practically take over a prison and kill 17 people, and among them a senior counter terrorism general? It defies all reason. I am concerned about the chain of events in Iraq, and this is not an isolated incident by any stretch. The article above notes other instances of serious breakdowns in security at Iraqi correctional facilities. How can the Iraqi military or the security services tackle the terrorism and insurgency issues plaguing country if the government cannot agree on appointments to two of the most important government positions?

If they carry on with the withdrawal date as is expected, this country will find itself in a perilous situation. Hopefully, those in power do what is right for the country, and ignore the threats and venomous rhetoric by the Sadrists. What have they done to improve the situation, but complain and intimidate the Iraqi people and government. I have serious concerns about what Iraq's fate will be after the US military force withdraws at the end of the year. We are seeing signs of what it may be like with attacks like the one today, and others going on at the moment. A very real shot at success could be the outcome for Iraq, but yet it is practically fallen on deaf ears among the American people, and it seems the MSM media is reporting about it as sparingly as possible. What the heck is going on?