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New Iraq Army Recruits Head for Training
EFLThe U.S. military took 400 volunteers for the new Iraqi army to the northern city of Kirkuk on Monday to begin two months basic training, and American forces passed a third straight day without reporting the loss of a soldier in combat. According to the military authorities in the Iraqi capital there had not been a U.S. soldier killed in action since late Friday night. But, but, that canât be right! In recent weeks, American forces have seen near daily casualties in attacks by Saddam Hussein loyalists and others. What happened to the quagmire? The Iraqi army recruits were taken to Kirkuk and on to a U.S. base under heavy guard for fear Iraqi resistance fighters would attack the convoy of red and white buses. The recruits sent north Monday make up about half the first batch due to begin training under U.S. instructors this month. "Welcome to Kirkuk! NOW GET OFF MY BUS!" More than 12,000 Iraqi soldiers are scheduled to be ready for service by yearâs end and 40,000 by the end of 2004. Some Iraqi guerrilla fighters have said the Iraqi recruits are collaborators aiding the occupation force. American officials denied reporters permission to talk to the Iraqi recruits for fear of exposing them or their families to retribution. Those eligible to join the army must be between 18 and 40 and must not have held the rank of colonel or above in Saddamâs military. During the two-month training period, they will be paid $60 monthly. Recruits who complete training must serve at least 26 months. Their salaries will be determined according to rank, with top pay of $120 a month. West of Baghdad, in the town of Khaldiyah, angry residents stormed and ransacked an Iraqi police station on Monday after an incident that began with an ambush on a U.S. convoy. Witnesses said a U.S. soldier was injured in the ambush and carried into the police facility as American forces opened fire against their attackers. The U.S. military confirmed an incident in Khaldiyah, 50 miles west of the capital, but would provide no details and said there were no U.S. casualties. Witnesses said Iraqi police joined U.S. soldiers in fighting the attackers and then withdrew inside the police station. Thanks, boys. Hope thereâs a little something extra in your paycheck. The crowd later stormed the station looking for the American forces and Iraqi police, who apparently escaped. The crowd dispersed when U.S. Kiowa helicopters appeared in the skies and started to circle low overhead. "Oops, look at the time. Gotta run." Some hours later, Iraqi police reinforcements reclaimed the burned out building. Buildings we can replace, Iraqi cops that back us up when needed are priceless. Posted by: Steve 2003-08-04 |
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