Friday, June 22, 2007
Al-Maliki orders the arrest of tribal leaders
Security, Tribal
(Al Hayat) - "Al-Hayat" reported on June 20 that according to informed security sources, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki has ordered the arrest of several tribal leaders and former Ba'athist officers in the Iraqi military who were based in the Dhi Qar Governorate for allegedly conspiring with the intelligence service of an Arab country.
One of the sources said that the men were arrested "because of their proven relationship with the intelligence service of an Arab country and for securing moral, material, and logistical support for armed groups that are active in southern Iraq."
None of the sources named the Arab country in question, but several indicated that al-Maliki has sent a "special force" to detain the men and return them to Baghdad for questioning. The alleged leader of the group was "a warrant officer in the former [Iraqi] army" who "was in contact with former Ba'athist leaders in the south and armed groups that are active there."
COMMENT: A few weeks ago, al-Maliki made a statement saying that anyone caught conspiring with other Arab countries against Iraq would be dealt with harshly. He added that he already knew of some suspects. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Baathists, Dhi Qar, tribal leaders
