Baghdad to become walled city...

Baghdad is to resort to one of the oldest forms of defence by building a massive wall around the capital to keep out insurgents, The Times has learnt.

A series of recent suicide bombings has driven the governor of the Iraqi capital to propose the concrete barrier, which will be 15ft (4.5m) high and 70 miles (112km) long. Every man, beast and vehicle entering will be searched at one of only eight gates along the main highways.

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Baghdad residents have mixed feelings about living in a giant gated community. Many doubt the effectiveness of the wall, having seen so many other security measures fail.

Fallah al-Azawi, a former army officer, said: “I don’t think a wall will bring any good. Baghdad can only be protected by its men.” Full story...

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