U.S.-led Sunni militias turn guns on Iraqi police

[sabra]

Source: Azzaman

U.S.-backed Sunni militiamen have killed three police officers and injured three others, an Iraqi security source refusing to be named said.

It is the first time U.S.-financed Sunni militias turn their guns against government police forces.

The incident comes as the so-called Majlis Sahwa in Diyala or the Awakening Council, the euphemism used to describe the militias, has called for civil disobedience in the restive city.

Security sources said many government offices were closed on Sunday and Monday and that certain neighborhoods in the city saw anti-government demonstrations.

The Sunni militias are run by tribal chieftains who have demanded that the government remove the city’s police chief on allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.



Read more: http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2008-02-11/kurd.htm

[Tempest]

1. Arming them was such a good idea

Wasn't it, George?

[ManiacJoe]

5. Actually it sounds like it was a good idea.

It appears that the police are doing a poor job due to corruption and need to be replaced.

[Teaser]

9. everybody does a "poor job" in Iraq

There is no one to replace the police with. You'll only get more of the same.

[Deny and Shred]

2. Paying them even better. Who knows what they were promised

to cooperate and make the 'surge' look effective.

[wellst0nev0ter]

3. It Was A Nice Surge While It Lasted

Looks like Obama or Clinton got their wish, since they did little to get the hell out, one of them will inherit the clusterfuck. Nice strategy :eyes:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. It sounds to me as if the standoff in Diyala province has escalated to violence as feared

For those who may have missed this yesterday.

A rise in violence is feared after a walkout by some Sunnis aiding the U.S.; they want the police chief removed.

BAGHDAD -- A potential security crisis loomed Saturday in troubled Diyala province as significant numbers of a U.S.-funded force of Sunni fighters left their posts, demanding the ouster of the provincial police chief.

"You can imagine what danger will face the region in the next days," said Abu Talib, commander of 2,000 to 3,000 so-called Sons of Iraq fighters. His men, many of them former insurgents, turned against the militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq last year under the Awakening banner.

A street commander, Khalid Khalidi, said nearly half of the checkpoint guards and patrolmen had walked off the job, and Abu Talib said they might pull out in even larger numbers if the provincial police chief, Maj. Gen. Ghanim Quraishi, is not ousted. Abu Talib and his men, who are paid by the U.S. military, accuse the Shiite Muslim police chief of brutality against Sunnis.

Their rage boiled over, they said, after the rape, kidnapping and slaying of two Sunni women two weeks ago, allegedly by men wearing police uniforms. Aides to the police chief said he was unavailable for comment.

More at link: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq10feb10,1,3132219.story

[Barrett808]

6. No one could have foreseen that arming and financing Sunni militias...

...could go badly wrong.

:eyes:

[annabanana]

7. (courtesy of the perpetually surprised B*sh administration). . .n/t

[icnorth]

8. The surge is working!

The Surge is working! The SURGE is working! This should go a long way to convince Muqtada al-Sadr to extend his cease fire. :sarcasm:

[bemildred]

10. What, no checks this month? nt