New York Times: Three US companies are preparing to invest in international roads in Iraq



2017/06/04 (00:01 PM) - Number of readings: 158 - Number (3940)



The road runs from Baghdad to Amman through Anbar province across the western desert of Iraq. The land is seen by insurgents and truck drivers are risking these days. However, the future view of the United States may be similar to the New Jersey State Road Service Station There are recreation areas, cafés and kiosks along the way.


As part of a US effort to boost economic development in Iraq and ensure that activity in the country after the war against a pro-US organization, the US government brokered a deal between Iraq and Olive Group, a private security firm, to secure the country's first major road.

The project quickly took place in the midst of geopolitical and sectarian tensions and tensions between the United States and Iran, which seem determined to sabotage the highway project as a sign of US influence on its doorstep.

Earlier, Iraqi leaders linked to Iran appeared to be reflecting Tehran's views, pledging to resume attacks against US troops if Trump's administration decided to leave troops behind to train the Iraqi army and carry out anti-terrorism missions that seemed likely. These leaders were particularly vocal in their criticism of the highway project.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who sought to promote the highway deal, has been caught in the middle of the tension by positioning himself closer to the United States at a time when Iran's influence has become more prominent in Iraq. The politician, Izzat al-Shabandar, a prominent Shiite leader and former parliament member, The main opposition of the highway project. Stressing that the Iraqi factions close to Iran are more powerful than the Iraqi army.

Shabandar said he expected Iran to eventually remove Abadi from power once the project is completed.
First, it will boost economic development in Anbar province, a vast Sunni majority that has suffered from marginalization. The other purpose is to undermine Iran's influence in Iraq, which has reached the alarm bells. Sunni Arab states have a US ally like Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Abbadi has granted this development to Oluf Group, although the final details are still being studied. The project will include repairing bridges in the western province of Anbar, renovating the highway, building service stations, and rest areas and roadside cafes. It will also include the provision of mobile security services by private contractors to travelers on the road.

Abadi, in an interview, denounced the "mafiyat" which runs the road, referring to militias and armed groups that intimidate drivers and take bribes to secure their passage. Neither the central government nor the local government will pay anything, but instead we will get benefits.

"The deal is estimated to last for 25 years and is known as a concession agreement, meaning the government does not spend money as a prelude. In theory, the multimillion-dollar investment to be implemented by Ulf Group will be reimbursed by fees, a deduction partly for the Iraqi government.

There is discussion of the eventual establishment of three other fast-paced investment routes in Iraq run by US companies: the first runs along the Saudi border via Karbala to Baghdad, the second from Basra to Baghdad and the third from the Syrian border to Baghdad.

Many media outlets in Iraq linked to Iranian-backed figures have dealt with the highway deal as a conspiracy by the United States and Israel to occupy the country.

One of the reports claimed that the US security company responsible for implementing the highway project "belongs to the Israeli Mossad." A statement by one of the powerful militias cited the Sykes-Picot agreement signed between the colonial powers to divide the Middle East during the First World War and talks about the highway project, By the United States to divide Iraq.

By playing the strings of painful memories and fears Iraqis have seen, media outlets have also falsely reported that Blackwater, the private security company that killed innocent people in Baghdad's Nisour Square during the US occupation in 2007, was the one to take over the project.

"The political situation in this country is full of challenges. We hope that the Iraqi people and the Jordanian people will look at this project," said Christjian Runo, executive vice president of Constellations, the parent company of Ulf Group, a security company that has worked for many years in Iraq. Built for him and a resource of my economic life. "

During the booming and safe periods, the highway from Baghdad to Amman was an important trading channel, with 1,500 truckloads a day passing through the road, generating $ 1 billion in commercial revenue a month, he said. In dangerous times, as in recent years, the official border crossing with Jordan has been closed, but truck drivers have continued to use the road and put their lives in their hands.

While the main cities of Anbar province, such as Ramadi and Falluja, have been liberated from an advocacy organization, the surrounding deserts on the western side of the road to Jordan and Syria are still considered dangerous and uncontrolled areas, where armed militants are still moving freely. On the other hand, The project provides thousands of construction and security jobs for Anbar province and tribal leaders have lined up to support it.

"We are very happy with this project," said Sheikh Ahmed Taha Alwan, a prominent tribal leader in Anbar, adding: "There is great hope that this project will bring benefit to the province in two important security and economic aspects."


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