Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Peshmerga deployed to Baghdad for security plan
Security
(Gulf News) Kurdish troops are being deployed in Baghdad in a process that is expected to conclude this week, while three Kurdish military brigades are heading from Kurdistan territory to Baghdad, Kurdish military officials confirmed yesterday. Shaikh Ja'afar Al Barazanji, Kurdistan Peshmargas forces minister, confirmed Kurdish brigades have been sent to take part in the new Baghdad security plan, they will be under the authority of the central government Iraqi army commander. "Kurdish brigades are well-trained to fight inside cities and neighbourhoods, and they will contribute vigorously in cleansing Baghdad's suburbs of armed men and outlaws," he told Gulf News.
The growing role of the Kurdish Peshmergas forces inside the Iraqi capital might be considered reassuring to the strong Sunni political forces which accused Iraqi forces of affiliation to Shiite political parties and involvement in sectarian violence against Sunni neighbourhoods during the previous security plans. Also, the US forces distrust the Iraqi Interior Ministry troops which are accused of allegiance to Shiite armed militias and Iran. It was also said that enhancing Kurdish military coexistence in Baghdad is a US request.
Citizens of Adhamyia, the Sunni neighbourhood in Baghdad which has been besieged by Iraqi-American troops told Gulf News that Kurdish forces from the Iraqi army are participating with US troops in enclosing the neighbourhood which is believed to include Sunni armed men. Amer Al Hussaini, a prominent figure in the Shiite Sadr group, told Gulf News: "Some Kurdish forces are seen stationed in some entrances of the Sadr Shiite neighbourhood."
The Kurdish Peshmergas forces which most of the Iraqi army brigades are formed from, stationed in Dohuk, Arbil and Suleiymaniya, amount to 80,000. This might rise to 120,000 because of the escalation of security threats in Baghdad and also Turkey's threats to the federal Kurdistan region regarding ownership of Kirkuk. The parliament in Kurdistan is witnessing disagreement on the issue of sending Kurdish brigades to Baghdad amid strong pressure from Kurdish clans, who do not want their sons to be involved in the sectarian bloody quagmire.
The growing role of the Kurdish Peshmergas forces inside the Iraqi capital might be considered reassuring to the strong Sunni political forces which accused Iraqi forces of affiliation to Shiite political parties and involvement in sectarian violence against Sunni neighbourhoods during the previous security plans. Also, the US forces distrust the Iraqi Interior Ministry troops which are accused of allegiance to Shiite armed militias and Iran. It was also said that enhancing Kurdish military coexistence in Baghdad is a US request.
Citizens of Adhamyia, the Sunni neighbourhood in Baghdad which has been besieged by Iraqi-American troops told Gulf News that Kurdish forces from the Iraqi army are participating with US troops in enclosing the neighbourhood which is believed to include Sunni armed men. Amer Al Hussaini, a prominent figure in the Shiite Sadr group, told Gulf News: "Some Kurdish forces are seen stationed in some entrances of the Sadr Shiite neighbourhood."
The Kurdish Peshmergas forces which most of the Iraqi army brigades are formed from, stationed in Dohuk, Arbil and Suleiymaniya, amount to 80,000. This might rise to 120,000 because of the escalation of security threats in Baghdad and also Turkey's threats to the federal Kurdistan region regarding ownership of Kirkuk. The parliament in Kurdistan is witnessing disagreement on the issue of sending Kurdish brigades to Baghdad amid strong pressure from Kurdish clans, who do not want their sons to be involved in the sectarian bloody quagmire.
Labels: Baghdad, Peshmerga, security
