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US Army begins training Iraqi civil defence force
Tikrit, Aug 15: The US Army began training an Iraqi militia force today to take on civil defence duties and pave the way for US forces to leave Iraq.
Tikrit, Aug 15: The US Army began training an Iraqi militia force today to take on civil defence duties and pave the way for US forces to leave Iraq.
Fifty young men hand-picked by tribal leaders started three weeks of intensive training at one of Saddam Hussein's main palaces in the northern town of Tikrit, which is now headquarters for the 4th Infantry Division.
Lt. Col. Steve Russell said similar training programs were expected to begin in other cities across Iraq shortly. "Our goal is that you will take our place and take over the security of your own people," Russell told recruits and tribal leaders.
"We are training you to be the leaders of a larger force that we will be creating in the coming months," he said. The militia will start off working with US soldiers in joint patrols, but eventually will be responsible for defending key infrastructure and government buildings, Russell said.
The founding members of the new militia will be paid USD 125 a month - more than twice the salary of former Iraqi soldiers - and are expected to commit to joining the civil defence force for a minimum of a year, Russell said.
Bureau Report
Lt. Col. Steve Russell said similar training programs were expected to begin in other cities across Iraq shortly. "Our goal is that you will take our place and take over the security of your own people," Russell told recruits and tribal leaders.
"We are training you to be the leaders of a larger force that we will be creating in the coming months," he said. The militia will start off working with US soldiers in joint patrols, but eventually will be responsible for defending key infrastructure and government buildings, Russell said.
The founding members of the new militia will be paid USD 125 a month - more than twice the salary of former Iraqi soldiers - and are expected to commit to joining the civil defence force for a minimum of a year, Russell said.
Bureau Report