Iraq pulls weapons permits from former insurgents
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 June 2010 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraq pulls weapons permits from former insurgents, 5 June 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4c172b2fae.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 05, 2010
Disarmed members of the Sahwa militia that helped oppose Al-Qaeda influence man a checkpoint in Baghdad in April 2009.
Iraq's military has withdrawn the right to carry weapons from 10,000 former Sunni insurgents in a move that threatens to cause a rift between security forces and Sunni fighters credited with helping quell violence in Iraq.
A military spokesman said Sahwa members are considered civilians "so it is not reasonable to authorize around 10,000 personnel to carry weapons in this province."
Leaders of the Sahwa movement, or "Sons of Iraq," responded immediately with a warning that their group would stop cooperating with security forces in the troubled, mainly Sunni, province of Diyala if their weapons permits were rescinded.
Many observers regard the increased cooperation with Sunni groups – embodied by the related "Anbar Awakening" in which Sunni leaders turned against Al-Qaeda – as a key factor in helping curb violence during some of the darkest days in Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion.
compiled from Reuters reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
