April 11, 2007

U.S. troops attacked the residential area housing the professors who teach at the University of Diyala.

The troops barged into the houses and detained many occupants for several hours before setting them free.

The University is situated in and named for Diyala, of which the restive and violent city of Baaqouba is the capital.

In a statement, the university said U.S. troops detonated doors in the residential complex and searched the professors 'in a very provocative manner.’

Dr. Saadoun al-Ujaili, head of the university’s public relations office, said even the houses and flats which were empty were searched and their doors destroyed.

"The U.S. troops handcuffed several professors fro several hours in the middle of the complex’s public garden and in front of other occupants," Ujaili said.

"Many houses suffered a lot of damage," he added.

The statement by the university said many professors were packing and were determined to leave the city.

"They are searching for a place that will preserve their dignity," the statement said.

Ujaili said Iraqi professors were facing 'unbearable conditions’ from U.S. and Iraqi troops on the one hand and anti-U.S. rebels and gunmen on the other.

In the past 24 hours, the police say they have recovered 32 bodies dumped in the Diyala River bisecting the city of Baaqouba among them the body of Abdulghabur al-Qaisi, a history professor.