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| Iraq |
| Special Iraqi unit being formed to fight Baathists |
| 2003-12-10 |
| A special Iraqi military unit drawn from militias of various ethnic groups is being formed in Baghdad to fight the shadowy cells of Baathist loyalists and suicide bombers that have taken a toll on coalition forces. US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld indicated the unit would be used to help hunt "high value targets," as leaders of the Baathist resistance are referred to by the Pentagon. General John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command, believes the Iraqis’ knowledge of the language and terrain will make the unit an effective tool against the loyalists of the former regime, said General Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "My understanding is that it will be used along with coalition forces to fight the terrorism that comes from the former regime elements and perhaps others - foreign fighters - in that country," Myers said. Myers said the unit would be involved mainly in coalition "operations" but also might be useful for intelligence work. He declined to be more specific. "They are specially trained because they do know the territory, and the language and culture," he said at a Pentagon news conference. "We thought they would be quite efficient at it." Rumsfeld said the Iraqi unit is being formed with individuals selected from a number of different Iraqi militias. He said they "have been brought together in a single place - Baghdad - to be used as a unit," he said. Hand picked strike force, taking the best of the militia forces and putting them under our control. "It has the advantage of adding additional Iraqis to the fight, which is important," he said. "It has the advantage also of bringing different competencies and different ethnic groups together to be engaged in defending the coalition and the governing council and the people that are trying to put that country on a path to a civil society," he said. Could also be a Pratorian Guard charged with protecting governing council from any would-be warlord types. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 sounds like the kit carson units in vietnam |
| Posted by: capt joe 2003-12-10 11:11:59 PM |
| #1 I suggest mamlukes and kbars be issued. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-10 6:24:06 PM |