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Spy Cameras Set Up in Baghdad to Counter Insurgents | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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BAGHDAD (AFP) – Iraq’s security forces have set up 250 “spy” cameras across the war-ravaged city in a bid to flush out insurgents and criminals, an official said on Wednesday, warning that more are on the way.

Brigadier General Qasim Atta, spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, told a press conference that the cameras had proven effective in fighting insurgency in the central shrine city of Karbala, where they were installed in May.

“These cameras are very high-tech. They can store images for up to five years,” Atta said.

“This is the first part of the project. More cameras will be installed over a period of time.”

Baghdad is in the grip of a vicious sectarian war that has killed thousands of people although Atta and US military commanders have reported a drastic drop in violence since a “surge” of American troops were deployed from February.

Atta told the press conference that between October 15 and November 6, nine “terrorists” had been killed in Baghdad and 165 wanted and 119 suspected militants had been arrested.

Security forces managed to release 31 kidnapped people and had defused 109 roadside bombs in the three-week period, while 60 mortar shells, 26 bombs and various quantities of explosives had been discovered.

“The terrorists are now forced to resort to kidnappings and planting roadside bombs because our security plan is working,” said Atta.