Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Govt replaces top security commission in Basrah
Security
(AP) -- The Iraqi government replaced the top security commission in the country's second-largest city because of suspected links to Shiite militias as authorities prepare for British forces to reduce their presence in southern Iraq, officials said Monday. Basra, the capital of Iraq's oil-rich southern region, has been plagued by feuds between rival Shiite militias - blamed for killings of police officers and civilians as well as rocket and mortar attacks against British troops and Iraqi security forces.
The old security committee was disbanded after being accused of cooperating with some militias and other armed groups, said military and security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The committee directs security efforts by the Iraqi military and police in the province.
Basra province police chief Maj. Gen. Abdul-Jalil Khalaf and Maj. Gen. Habib Taleb Abbas, head of the army's 10th Division, were named as the committee's new commanders, the officials said. The step takes place as Iraqi forces are preparing to take over security responsibility for Basra province in mid-August. Britain has withdrawn hundreds of troops from Iraq, leaving a force of about 5,500 based mainly on the fringes of Basra.
Last week, outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair said his country would withdraw even more troops within weeks, but he did not set a specific timetable. British and Iraqi forces have struggled to bring calm to Basra, about 340 miles southeast of Baghdad and the main route for Iraq's oil exports to the Persian Gulf. Attacks have increased against British troops in the province, killing seven in June.
In June 2006, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared a state of emergency in Basra following a rise in violence among mostly Shiite groups competing for power and infiltrating police and government institutions.
The old security committee was disbanded after being accused of cooperating with some militias and other armed groups, said military and security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The committee directs security efforts by the Iraqi military and police in the province.
Basra province police chief Maj. Gen. Abdul-Jalil Khalaf and Maj. Gen. Habib Taleb Abbas, head of the army's 10th Division, were named as the committee's new commanders, the officials said. The step takes place as Iraqi forces are preparing to take over security responsibility for Basra province in mid-August. Britain has withdrawn hundreds of troops from Iraq, leaving a force of about 5,500 based mainly on the fringes of Basra.
Last week, outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair said his country would withdraw even more troops within weeks, but he did not set a specific timetable. British and Iraqi forces have struggled to bring calm to Basra, about 340 miles southeast of Baghdad and the main route for Iraq's oil exports to the Persian Gulf. Attacks have increased against British troops in the province, killing seven in June.
In June 2006, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared a state of emergency in Basra following a rise in violence among mostly Shiite groups competing for power and infiltrating police and government institutions.
Labels: 10th Iraqi Army division, Basra, Maj. Gen. Abdul-Jalil Khalaf, Maj. Gen. Habib Taleb Abbas, Shia militias
