Source:
ReutersU.S. envoy warns of growing power of Iraqi militiasThu Oct 25, 2007 1:29pm EDT
By Ross Colvin
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military has succeeded in
delivering a crippling blow to al Qaeda in Iraq, but this has
only served to highlight "the other big problem" -- the power
of Shi'ite militias, Washington's envoy to Iraq said on
Thursday.
Ambassador Ryan Crocker said the new U.S. "surge" strategy,
which saw 30,000 extra troops sent to Iraq, had significantly
reduced sectarian violence in Baghdad, the former al Qaeda
stronghold of Anbar province and elsewhere.
"Al Qaeda in Iraq has shown extraordinary persistence but
clearly their abilities have been badly damaged. In a sense
that puts into highlight the other big problem, which is the
militias, particularly JAM," he told journalists in Baghdad.
-snip-"We have seen JAM Militant transform into JAM Incorporated.
They may not be shooting at us or Iraqi soldiers, but (they
are) controlling gas stations, real estate, trade and
services," Crocker said.
-snip-Read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSCOL55146220071025