By Ahmad al-Qaisi
Source: Azzaman
Sunday was perhaps Iraqi capital’s quietest day since the country plunged into violence shortly after the U.S. invasion in 2003.
No car bomb explosions, shelling or kidnapping were reported and analysts attributed the calm to the landmark visit by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Daily bombings, explosions and kidnapping have become part of life in Baghdad.
But the calm that descended on the restive capital on Sunday and Monday night was unprecedented, analysts said.
Many attributed the quiet to government’s decision to cordon off large parts of Baghdad and ban traffic in many districts and over several bridges.
But an Iraqi intelligence source said groups fighting U.S. troops and those responsible for the ongoing violence had put a temporary halt to their activities.
This shows, he said, how influential Iran has become in Iraq and the role it plays in assisting and arming these groups.
