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DIYALA, Feb. 24 (AKnews) - Sahwa forces in Diyala will launch a comprehensive campaign to detect and pursue al-Qaeda militants in retaliation for the bloody attacks carried out yesterday.
A series of bombings in 12 Iraqi cities yesterday morning left 55 people dead and more than 255 wounded. The Islamic State of Iraq, a branch of al-Qaeda, claimed the responsibility for the attacks to avenge the "elimination and torture of Sunni men and women in Iraqi jails."
Sami al-Khazraji, Diyala chief of Shawa (Awakening) forces, said today that the leadership of Sahwa forces met with Diyala Operations Command and police to design a complete security plan for confronting al-Qaeda militants and other armed groups across the province.
He declined to comment further on the plan.
Khazraji said Sawha forces insist that "theterrorist gangs who keep targeting Sahwa forces should be eliminated completely".
Sahwa forces, also known as the National Council for the Awakening of Iraq, are coalition of tribes or militias in Anbar. The were established in September 2006 as tribal militants committed to countering al-Qaeda insurgency.
They soon gained popularity and their numbers grew to thousands. Initially paid by the US army, the Iraqi government took over in October 2008, and plans to integrate the various militias into the police and army.
Sahwa members and their families are often targeted by armed groups who consider them enemies for standing by the U.S. and the government.
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A series of bombings in 12 Iraqi cities yesterday morning left 55 people dead and more than 255 wounded. The Islamic State of Iraq, a branch of al-Qaeda, claimed the responsibility for the attacks to avenge the "elimination and torture of Sunni men and women in Iraqi jails."
Sami al-Khazraji, Diyala chief of Shawa (Awakening) forces, said today that the leadership of Sahwa forces met with Diyala Operations Command and police to design a complete security plan for confronting al-Qaeda militants and other armed groups across the province.
He declined to comment further on the plan.
Khazraji said Sawha forces insist that "theterrorist gangs who keep targeting Sahwa forces should be eliminated completely".
Sahwa forces, also known as the National Council for the Awakening of Iraq, are coalition of tribes or militias in Anbar. The were established in September 2006 as tribal militants committed to countering al-Qaeda insurgency.
They soon gained popularity and their numbers grew to thousands. Initially paid by the US army, the Iraqi government took over in October 2008, and plans to integrate the various militias into the police and army.
Sahwa members and their families are often targeted by armed groups who consider them enemies for standing by the U.S. and the government.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
