New Basrah Police Chief Orders Units to Shave Their Beards:

New Basrah police commander Major General Jaleel Khalaf Shuwail called on members of the Sunni community in Basrah – estimated at one third of the population – to join the police force, promising that he would crack down on militias and “saboteurs working for the interests of foreign states” in the southern oil-rich city, according to the pan-Arab Al-Hayat newspaper.

Maj. Gen. Shuwail said police officers in Basrah fall into two categories: those who cooperate with militias, and those who are intimidated by them. “We have a tremendous force, but it needs organization and a brave leadership,” he said. “I will fight militias in Basrah, as I love challenges, and I will not neglect fighting terrorism, under whatever label.”

Maj. Gen. Shuwail was appointed last Monday to replace Maj. Gen. Mohammed Hamadi Al-Musawi, who was fired by PM Nuri Al-Maliki because he failed to prevent militia attacks against at least nine Sunni mosques in the city in retaliation for the bombing of the revered Shi’ite Askari shrine in Samarra. As soon as the new commander assumed responsibilities, he ordered all units to shave their beards, threatening to suspend salaries or fire those who resisted the order.

He visited the Sunni Endowments Board headquarters in central Basrah requested from its director, Dr. Abdul Karim Jarad, to submit lists of Sunnis who are willing to volunteer into the police force, promising to approve them all, according to Al-Hayat. “We have a difficult mission because the foundation of the Basrah police force was 100% wrong,” he said.

Iraqi Insurgent Group Denies Joining the Fight Against Al-Qaeda in Diyala:

In a new Internet statement, the 1920 Revolution Brigades denied news reports that its members have assisted U.S. and Iraqi forces in the operation against Al-Qaeda-led militant groups in the Diyala governorate.

“We tell the occupiers and their trumpets and agents that you have made a very big lie, and that you can no longer fool anyone with your conspiracies against Jihadi factions and your continuous attempts to divide the Jihadi front. You have been exposed by God.

We hereby announce to our struggling people and to all who are interested in the Iraqi scene and the whole world – and we are not divulging any secrets here – that we in the 1920 Revolution Brigades have absolutely no presence in the Diyala governorate at this time.”

U.S. Forces Cordon Adhamiya for Fifth Day in Row:

U.S. forces are still blocking all entrances to the predominately Sunni district of Adhamiya in northern Baghdad for the fifth day in a row, residents said.

“The siege by U.S. forces on Adhamiya, since Thursday, is still in effect after militants blew up a U.S. vehicle and attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint near Antar Square last Wednesday,” a local told Voices of Iraq over the phone.

Fierce clashes erupted Thursday morning between Iraqi army troops and militants based in Adhamiya, following a blast near the only checkpoint on the outskirts of the district at Antar Square.

U.S. forces have barred residents from entering Adhamiya in their vehicles since Thursday. Local residents have to reach Antar Square or the Nida’ mosque on foot where they can take taxis or public buses. Residents also said the security barrier now completely encircles their district. Adhamiya had recently become a stronghold of insurgent activity, with much of the attacks directed at its own residents by militants who arrived from the Anbar governorate, locals said.

"U.S. forces are intensively patrolling the streets of Adhamiya calling through loudspeakers on residents to turn over the militants in the area, while local residents can only go in and out of the neighborhood on foot,” the source added.

Another local resident told VOI by telephone, "Electricity has been off in the neighborhood since Wednesday, while areas of Raghiba Khaton, Sulaikh, and Omar bin Abdul Aziz Street have been suffering from a severe shortage in water supply."

Local municipality workers arrived Monday to fix a water pipeline that was damaged following a roadside bomb attack against a U.S. military patrol Wednesday, but American troops prevented them from fixing the pipeline, Iraq Slogger sources said. The district could have access to drinking water only after its residents hand over militants, U.S. soldiers reportedly told the workers.

Local Iraqi bloggers Mohammed and Nabil have eyewitness accounts, as well as videos and photos of the troubled district.