The Iraqi general chosen to run a new security force in Falluja yesterday distanced himself from the US military by refusing American demands to give up foreign fighters supposedly hiding in the city.
As a flood of civilians returned home after four weeks of a ferocious assault on the city by American marines, Major General Jasim Mohammed Saleh said the US had provoked a backlash from ordinary Iraqis.
"The reasons for the resistance go back to the American provocations, the raids and abolishing the army, which made Iraqis join the resistance," he said.
American commanders say 200 foreign fighters are holed up in Falluja and have demanded that the city hands them over. But Gen Saleh, an ex-Republican Guard officer who has been mooted to run a 1,000-strong local security force, has refused. "There are no foreign fighters in Falluja and the local tribal leaders have told me the same," he said.
Information Clearinghouse article
As a flood of civilians returned home after four weeks of a ferocious assault on the city by American marines, Major General Jasim Mohammed Saleh said the US had provoked a backlash from ordinary Iraqis.
"The reasons for the resistance go back to the American provocations, the raids and abolishing the army, which made Iraqis join the resistance," he said.
American commanders say 200 foreign fighters are holed up in Falluja and have demanded that the city hands them over. But Gen Saleh, an ex-Republican Guard officer who has been mooted to run a 1,000-strong local security force, has refused. "There are no foreign fighters in Falluja and the local tribal leaders have told me the same," he said.
Information Clearinghouse article
D'oh!
The appointment of an Iraqi general to head the brigade taking over from US forces besieging Falluja was yesterday reduced to farce.
The former Republican Guard general, who effectively took over on Friday, was summarily removed from the post that America's top soldier said he had never had. His replacement will be a general once exiled by Saddam Hussein, said US officials.
The Herald article
The former Republican Guard general, who effectively took over on Friday, was summarily removed from the post that America's top soldier said he had never had. His replacement will be a general once exiled by Saddam Hussein, said US officials.
The Herald article
D'oh!
But it was such a great idea to put one of Saddam's Republican Guards in charge, wasn't it? I mean, how could anyone have guessed that he might not be pro-American?
....hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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