Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Seized weapons caches appear on black market
Security
(Azzaman) The Ministry of Interior has launched an inquiry into how the weapons its forces capture during military operations find their way to black market again. A ministry source, refusing to be named, said the investigation was started following reports that Iraqi police officers resell the illegal weapons they seize. The source said initial findings point to covert links between gunmen and militia groups with ministry police forces. He said several officers have already been detained but declined to give further details.
COMMENT: The Iraqi security forces have for a long time been infiltrated by militia groups such as the Badr Corps (linked to the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq) and al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. It isn't hard for these groups to redirect the seized weapons to the black market. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Badr Corps, Iraqi Army, Mahdi Army, Ministry of Interior, Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq
