|
Chieftain forms civilian militia to defend citizens of Ramadi
A 3,000-strong militia has been created in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, central Iraq, to protect civilians from insurgent violence, a tribal chieftan in surrounding Anbar province told Adnkronos International (AKI), speaking on condition of anonymity. "The formation of the new militia was decided in conjunction with the US-led coalition, and is aimed at protecting people in the area and repelling terrorist elements," the chieftan said.On Sunday, several armed groups fighting against Iraq's transitional government and its US-led coalition force backers of Abu Musaab al-Zarqawi's al-Qaeda linked group. The groups in a statement posted on the Internet said they had severed all links with the Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi, who is suspected of masterminding some of the bloodiest attacks in Iraq. On 5 January, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a police recruiting centre in Ramadi, killing around 60 people and injured some 60. Some 1,000 applicants were queuing at a police recruitment drive. In early December, US and Iraqi forces launched a military operation in Ramadi, which lies west of Baghdad, the day after insurgents staged a show of strength. Residents said hundreds of militants set up checkpoints throughout the city and fired mortars and rockets at US bases and government offices. The US military played down the scale of the attack, however, saying it had not resulted in damage or casualties. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-01-24 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=140629 |