(Iraq) Pro-government militiamen integrated in armed forces; move angers rival groups

sabra

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Thu Apr-03-08 02:28 PM
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(Iraq) Pro-government militiamen integrated in armed forces; move angers rival groups

Source: Azzaman

Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has decided to integrate loyal militia groups into the armed forces.

The move comes in the aftermath of fierce clashes with rival Shiite militiamen of cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr and in the wake of the dismissal of thousands of his supporters serving in the country�s security forces.

At least 10,000 militiamen of Maliki�s own al-Dawa Party and the allied Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council have now formally joined the army ranks.

The move is certain to anger al-Sadr who has called for a million-strong march against the U.S.

Maliki has sacked thousands of army and police officers who refused to take part in the latest fight against Sadr militias.

Read more: http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2008-04-03/kurd.htm

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High Plains

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Thu Apr-03-08 03:01 PM
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1. Making the battle lines a bit clearer.

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sabra

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Thu Apr-03-08 03:03 PM
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2. isn't the al-Dawa party aligned with Iran? aren't we aligned with the al-Mailiki gov't?

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drobert_bfm

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Thu Apr-03-08 03:31 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Yes, and Yes. Fun no?

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Tempest

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Thu Apr-03-08 04:09 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. Both sides are aligned with Iran

Heads we lose, tails we lose.

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