Iraq

1. Iraq

2. Britain to send more troops to Iraq Headline Britain to send 650 more troops to Iraq as poll violence worsens - Headline DT 9 January Event The Government is expected to announce this week that hundreds of extra British troops will be sent to Iraq within days to bolster security in the run-up to the January 30 elections. Up to 650 troops from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, based in Cyprus, are being deployed because of concern that insurgent attacks will be stepped up. The extra troops will be based in southern Iraq. However, it is possible that they could be deployed to more dangerous areas, such as Baghdad and the Sunni triangle. Such a move would require the approval of the Prime Minister. Comment An announcement was made this week and extra troops are on their way. There are an increasing number of reports that say that both the US and the UK are becoming overstretched from a troop point of view in Iraq. Before 9/11 only 20% of active duty US army personnel were abroad. It is now almost 50% and a further 25% of the reserves are on foreign soil. There is growing military concern that the US would struggle to cope with another conflict. Same applies to the UK. Another conflict will happen. The largest conflict ever seen. The lion powers this time will fail. Bible Quote Job 4 13 the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

3. British troops abused Iraqi captives Headline British troops abused Iraqi captives HeadlineDT 19 January Event British troops abused and sexually humiliated Iraqi prisoners in a series of "shocking and appalling" incidents after the Iraq war, a court martial heard yesterday. One or more soldiers from 1 Bn, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, forced two captured Iraqi looters to strip naked and simulate sexual acts, the hearing in Germany was told. The images are the most damaging to emerge since photographs of Iraqis being mistreated by American captors at Abu Ghraib prison appeared last year. Senior officers fear they will be used by insurgents as evidence that the British have no respect for Iraqi prisoners. Comment These are similar pictures to those that appeared some months ago involving US soldiers. As the article says above these photographs only help the insurgents. Britain and the US are seen to be united in these abuses. Back in 1980, brother Graham Pearce wrote, “We look for Britain and America to be standing together, and being separated from Europe.” Indeed we do see them standing together - united in war and abuses! Bible Quote Nahum2 11 ¶ Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid?

4. US will not cut troop numbers Headline US will not cut troops in Iraq for two years HeadlineDT 26 January Event The Pentagon moved yesterday to quash speculation about a swift pullout of American troops after the election in Iraq as a first step towards complete withdrawal. Lt-Gen James Lovelace, the deputy chief of staff responsible for operations, said there was no plan to reduce troop numbers for at least two years. The army thought it "most probable" that it would need about 120,000 men in Iraq at least until the end of 2006, he said.That is close to pre-election levels, although recently troop numbers have reached 150,000 to provide security for Sunday’s vote. Comment So we now have a declared situation of America being locked into Iraq for at least another 2 years. Why is this interesting? Well because a huge proportion of the US army is now tied up in this ancient area of Babylon. By definition it is much more difficult for it to fight other battles. It possibly explains how Russia and its allies are able to sweep down into Israel and through into Egypt. It is my belief that further and far greater destruction is coming on this area of ancient Babylon (Iraq) and this could possibly cause tremendous UK and US troop casualties. Bible Quote Jeremiah 51 54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

5. Week of violence in Iraq Headline Week of violence in Iraq Headline BBC online 12 February Event 7 February: Bomb attacks on police leave 25 dead in Mosul and Baquba 8 February: At least 21 killed in suicide blast at army recruitment centre in Baghdad 9 February: At least nine die, including a reporter for a US-Arabic TV station in Basra 10 February: At least eight police are killed and more than 60 wounded in attack south of Baghdad 11 February: Attacks on a Shia mosque leave 23 dead 12 February: At least 17 people are killed by a car bomb and a senior judge is shot dead Comment We may get used to hearing everyday about mass killings in Iraq. But let us not forget the significance of this area. It was the area of the garden of Eden – where sin and death entered the world. It was the area of the first kingdom of men - Babel ruled by Nimrod. It was the area that Abraham was called out of (Ur ). He was called to a new land, a new hope, a new life, a new kingdom – God’s kingdom. And now we see terrible destruction in this area of Babylon (Babel) – it heralds the setting up of the kingdom of God. Babylon – literal, political & religious will be destroyed. Bible Quote Jeremiah 51 54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

6. Vast pools of blood accumulated in the debris-strewn street around the bomb site 115 killed in Iraq Headline 115 killed as market bomber targets recruits 1,500th US soldier killedHeadlinesDT 1 and 4 March Event More than 115 people were killed and 130 injured in the single bloodiest attack in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein when a suicide bomber exploded a car near a market south of Baghdad yesterday. The war in Iraq passed another bloody milestone yesterday when the United States announced the latest death of one of its soldiers in the conflict, bringing the number of American troops killed in the country to the 1,500 mark. Since May 2003 when President George W Bush declared the end of major combat operations, 1,364 US military members have died in Iraq. Comment In this area of latter day Babylon we see great destruction and a sound of battle. This war against latter day Babylon will soon involve political (EU) and religious (Rome) Babylon as well when they invade Israel. Babylon in all its forms will be destroyed. Bible Quote Jeremiah 50 22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

7. Main international troops in Iraq US: 150,000 UK: 8,000 Italy: 3,000 South Korea: 3,600 Poland: 1,700 Ukraine: 1,600 Georgia: 898 Romania: 730 Japan: 550 Denmark: 496 Australia: 400 Source: Global Security Dutch troops pullout of Iraq Headline Britain's troops take the strain as Dutch pull out Italy plans Iraq troop pull-out Headlines DT 14 & 15 March Event The Union flag is flying over a new stretch of Iraq. British troops have moved west of Basra to assume responsibility for the neighbouring province and in the process have more than doubled the area under direct British military control. Behind the move lies the erosion of President George W Bush's "coalition of the willing". Italy is to begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq in September 2005, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said. Italy has 3,000 troops in Iraq - the fourth largest foreign contingent. Domestic opposition to Italy's involvement in Iraq intensified after the killing of an Italian agent by US troops in Iraq earlier this month. Comment And so this week we see two key countries (from a troop point of view in Iraq) begin to pullout. The Dutch troops are moving out shortly with Italian troops moving out in September. As the article above says, it was the killing of the Italian agent who rescued an Italian hostage a few weeks ago that finally tipped the balance and Italy’s Prime Minister was forced to do something. The UK and US are almost totally isolated now in the ongoing war in Iraq. We expect Italy and Holland to be on the side of Europe in the final war – so things continue to develop as expected. Bible Quote Jer 5138 They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps. Britain (old lion) US (young lion) previous verse talks of destruction in Iraq

8. Iraq violence Headline Car bomb blows apart Iraq market Headline BBC online 6 May Event At least 16 people have been killed in a car bomb attack in a market south of Baghdad, Iraqi police say. As many as 40 people were injured in the blast at Suwayra, about 60km (38 miles) south of the capital. In Baghdad, police found a shallow grave with the bodies of 14 men, apparently the victims of execution-style killings. Meanwhile at least eight police officers died in a bombing near the northern city of Tikrit. Comment 5 May: At least 23 people die in wave of attacks in Baghdad 4 May: At least 50 people killed in suicide attack on police recruits in Irbil 29 April: At least 29 people killed in wave of car bomb attacks on Iraqi security forces 10 March: 47 people killed by suicide bomber at Shia funeral in Mosul 28 February: Massive car bomb kills 125 people in Hilla 19 February: Suicide bombers kill 30 people during Shia Ashura celebrations 18 February: Around 29 people die in attacks in Baghdad and Iskandariya 7 February: Attacks on security forces kill at least 25 people in Mosul and Baquba. Iraq area of ancient Babylon is a place of violence and destruction. Bible Quote Jeremiah 51 54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

9. 10 suicide attacks in one day - Iraq Headline Ten suicide bombers in one day bring more death to Baghdad streets - DT July 16 Event Suicide bombers struck 10 times in Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 25 people. Thirty-two people, most of them children, were killed the day before when a suicide bomber exploded his car beside a convoy of American soldiers handing out sweets in a Baghdad suburb. The blast left the street covered in pools of blood, mangled bicycles and the corpses of the young, many still clutching blue-wrapped chocolate bars. Comment The death, destruction and sheer horror of the daily attacks in Iraq is shocking. Iraq is the home of ancient Babylon, the even more ancient Babel and the even more ancient Garden of Eden. It was where sin and therefore death entered the world. It was where the first kingdom of men (see Genesis 10:10) was established. It was where Abraham was called out from (Ur of the Chaldeas). It cannot be coincidence that in the last days this literal area of Babylon is suffering such destruction. It portends the greater destruction of spiritual Babylon and in fact all the kingdoms of the earth which shall be replaced by God’s kingdom. Bible Quote Jeremiah 51 54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans: & Jer 50:46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.

10. 25,000 civilians killed in Iraq Headline Fighting in Iraq 'has cost 25,000 civilian lives' Headline DT July 20 Event Nearly 25,000 Iraqi civilians have died in the two years since US and British troops invaded Iraq - an average of 34 people a day - according to figures published yesterday by British academics. They estimate that about four out of five Iraqi civilians killed were men, while nearly one in 10 were children. According to the survey by the Oxford Research Group and a website called Iraq Body Count, US-led coalition forces are responsible for about 37 per cent of these deaths, mostly during the initial invasion phase when about 7,000 civilians were killed. Comment Babylon was situated in modern day Iraq. It is hard not to read the prophecies in Isaiah and Jeremiah without seeing a latter day fulfilment of modern day Iraq. In no way does it take away from the political aspect (Europe) and religious aspect (Rome) Bible Quote John 12 2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, 9 ¶ For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country:22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

11. Iraq on brink of meltdown Headline Iraq on brink of meltdown Headline DT August 26 Event The credibility of Iraq's political process was in danger last night as parliament again failed to vote on a draft constitution which a Sunni politician said was "fit only for the bin". The impression of growing crisis in Iraq was reinforced when a new front erupted in the violent rebellion, with Shia Muslims fighting each other with guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Comment This headline “Iraq on brink of meltdown” was the front page headline. The violence and terror in the land is quite astounding. Even more astounding though are these words from the President of America. "freedom has finally arrived in Iraq, where life improves every day as that country makes progress toward becoming a prosperous and peaceful nation.” This was said in April 2003. A cry of freedom – but a false one. This is part of the unclean spirits like frogs going out into all the world to bring the nations to the great battle of God Almighty. Just as Pharaoh in Egypt, during the plague of frogs, gave a false promise of freedom to the Israelites so this modern Pharaoh gives a false promise of freedom. It has led to destruction. Bible Quote Revelation 1613 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs..which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

12. 1000 killed in Baghdad panic Headline 1000 killed in Baghdad panicHeadline DT September 1 Event Up to 1,000 people were crushed to death or drowned after a rumour that a suicide bomber was about to detonate his explosives spread panic through a procession of one million Shia pilgrims in Baghdad yesterday. Hundreds were trampled in the resulting stampede while many more threw themselves off a bridge into the strong currents of the Tigris in a desperate attempt to escape. Thousands of abandoned sandals littered the area, kicked off in the panic to escape. The vast majority of those killed were women, children and the elderly, while nearly 400 people were confirmed as injured. Comment More death and destruction in Iraq. Again as we were doing our readings the events before us echoed very closely to the events we watched that very day. The verses below are talking of Babylon (modern Iraq). Note the worship of false gods and the slain that will fall in the midst of her. This is exactly what happened this week. Surely a partial fulfilment of these words. Bible Quote Jeremiah 51 717 Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 47 Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.

13. Al Qu’eda kill 152 in Baghdad Headline Al Qu’eda kill 152 in Baghdad Headlines DT September 15 Event At least 152 people died and 542 were wounded as 11 suicide bombers struck across Baghdad yesterday in the second most deadly day of insurgent violence Iraq has witnessed since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The worst incident was in the north of the capital where a car carrying 500lbs of explosives drove into a crowd of unemployed labourers killing 114 and injuring 156. Comment Iraq (ancient Babylon) is in trouble. In the verse below it talks of fanners coming into the land. This word “fanners” means strangers. It is interesting that most suicide bombers are strangers to the land. They are pouring in from over the borders - from Iran and Syria. There seems to be an unlimited supply of those willing to kill themselves and kill as many others as possible. It is interesting that the physical land of Babylon is in such distress and destruction. Spiritual Babylon (Rome) and political Babylon (Europe) will also end in distress and destruction. The city of man in all its forms will be removed from the earth to be replaced by God’s kingdom. Bible Quote Jeremiah 51 2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about. 4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.

14. Nebuchadnezzar Saddam Hussein Saddam on trial Headline Court drama on day one of trial Headline DT October 20 Event The judge summoned "Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti", and a door opened to reveal the man who had held Iraq in thrall for a quarter of a century. The figure who entered looked hardly the embodiment of evil, whose regime is accused of torturing and murdering tens of thousands of citizens. Instead, there was an old man in an ill-fitting suit, clutching a Koran in his left hand. He looked momentarily confused and pathetically human. The room which held the court was once part of one of his most lavish palaces. It still had the chandeliers and marble floors meant to signal his dominance. Now - after two years in which he had seen only the inside of a military prison - he blinked and seemed panicky as he took in the scene around him. Comment Saddam Hussein called himself a latter day Nebuchadnezzar. And in many ways he has indeed lived a similar life. He tried to rebuild the city of Babylon. He launched war on Iran (ancient Persia) to re-establish the great kingdom once lost to the Persians. But he lost it all. He was found in a pit with his hair grown long. Now the nations look at him and wonder is this be the man who terrorised the world? Bible Quote Isaiah 14 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; these verses are talking of Nebuchadnezzar see previous verse!

15. US deaths in Iraq reach 2,000 Headline US deaths in Iraq reach 2,000 Headline DT October 26 Event The number of United States service personnel who have died in Iraq since its troops streamed across the country's borders in March 2003 passed 2,000 yesterday. But President George W Bush, while making no direct reference to the figure, told an audience of military families in Washington that their sacrifice was best recognised by continuing the fight against a fanatical enemy. "Each loss of life is heart-breaking. And the best way to honour the sacrifice of our fallen troops is to complete the mission and lay the foundation of peace by spreading freedom," he said to applause. Comment The deaths mount up. Over 2,000 US soldiers have now died in this war. Over 15,000 injured. Many, many thousands of Iraqis are dead. Why? Well, as President Bush says above, this apparently is laying the foundation of peace by spreading freedom. So we have a promise of freedom that brings destruction. Precisly what the Bible says will bring all nations to Armageddon. In Revelation 16 it is unclean spirits like frogs that go to the kings of the earth to gather them to the final great battle. An unclean spirit is to do with madness and lies. The frogs are to do with the plague on Egypt when Pharaoh promised freedom but lied and continued the slavery. And so we see a madness in a king of the earth – promising freedom but bringing death. Bible Quote Revelation 16 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

16. we 26,000 deaths in Iraq Headline Victims of insurgents in Iraq top 26,000 Headline DT October 31 Event The United States military has for the first time admitted that it is keeping records of Iraqi deaths as it disclosed that it estimates 26,000 to have been killed or injured by insurgents since January last year. The data, released without fanfare in a report compiled by the Pentagon for the US Congress, says casualties, which include Iraqi police and soldiers as well as civilians, have risen from about 26 a day on last Jan 1 to 64 a day in the run-up to this month's constitutional referendum. Attacks by insurgents have also tripled from just under 200 a week at the start of 2004 to more than 650 now. Comment It seems incredible that so many have been killed in Iraq. 64 people killed a day. 650 attacks a week. 26,000 (at least) dead. We reported last week that over 2,000 US soldiers had now been killed in this war. Can it be a coincidence that at the “time of the end” this ancient land where mankind began (Garden of Eden), where the kingdom of men began (Babel), where sin and death entered the world is now the centre of such terrors. It was here that Abraham lived and was called to leave – to travel to a new land that God would show him. Where? To Israel where God’s kingdom will be established. We have left (spiritually) the kingdom of men and are now strangers and pilgrims desiring a better country (God’s kingdom) that WILL be established. Death and destruction will then cease. Bible Quote Hebrews 11 they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17. Iraq asks Russia for help Headline Iraq asks Russia for help Headline Moscow Times November 22 Event Iraq's foreign minister on Monday called on Russia to use its close ties with Syria to urge it to do more to seal its border with his violence-wracked country and accused neighbouring states of interfering in Iraqi affairs. "We really do have problems with our neighbouring countries, including with Syria," Hoshyar Zebari told reporters after meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "We asked Russia, using its authority, to provide assistance to help us agree with some of our neighbours on issues dealing with security," Zebari said. "Russia has good relations with our neighbours, Syria and Iran." Comment Russia is becoming more and more involved in Middle East affairs. Russia has much closer links to Iran and Syria than any other country outside the Middle East. Also Russia has the desire to become a superpower again. Putin has said so himself. By becoming a major player in the Middle East, Russia exerts its influence and by so doing America’s influence diminishes. Iraq is in trouble as we all know with continued insurgency. America and Britain have not been able to stop the attacks which are being fuelled by fighters coming in from Syria and Iran. So here we have once more Russia being asked to help out. To try to use their influence on Iran and Syria. As Iraq’s foreign minister says above “Russia has good relations with Syria and Iran.” The Bible says the same in the verse below. Bible Quote Ezekiel 38 7 Be thou [Gog] prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. Gog = Russia thy company = (amongst others) Iran

18. 2005 review Comment And so another year draws to a close. But what a remarkable year in terms of prophecy fulfilled! At the beginning of each World Watch it says that time and again the following would keep cropping up as we journey towards the coming kingdom. Israel – Middle East the growing conflict This year has seen Israel become ever more the focus of the world’s attention. Iran has called for Israel to be wiped off the map. Israel has withdrawn from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. A wall almost surrounds the entire nation now. Europe – the developing union / political and religious A new Pope is elected – Cardinal Ratzinger. He named himself Benedict after the patron saint of Europe. He is calling for Christian Unity! In his Christmas speech he called for Middle East peace. He means Israel should give up East Jerusalem. This will bring war. Europe has rejected the constitution but continues to hang together as divided nations exactly as Revelation 17 and Daniel 2 show us. Russia – continued turning back to anti west ways Russia is increasingly in the news for doing arms deals with those the US considers to be the Axis of Evil i.e. Syria and Iran. Under Putin the free press has been shut down, nuclear programmes have been developed and a new Cold War may have started. The development of King of South – US & UK Tarshish and her young lions continue to be locked in a war in Iraq. This area of ancient Babylon where sin and death entered the world and the first kingdom of men began is a scene of death and destruction. Remember Abraham was called out of this area. Declining moral standards and increasing violence. The UK introduces gay marriage. Violence increases – remember the scenes in France! We have seen unprecedented “natural” disasters with Tsunami, hurricanes and earthquakes. Let us pray that 2006 finally brings relief with the return of our King. Revelation 22 20 Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.