4 Iraqi police, civilian killed in suicide attack
A suicide bomber Friday rammed his truck into a police station in a town south of Baghdad, killing four police officers and one civilian.
The attack took place in Yousifiya, about 10 miles outside the capital, in an area once dubbed the “triangle of death” because of insurgent violence. In the last year, however, violence has subsided considerably there.
U.S. officials have credited the turnabout in large part to the recruitment of volunteer fighters, often referred to as concerned local citizens, who now work alongside American and Iraqi security forces. Some of them are former insurgents or their supporters.
The leader of the largest Shiite Muslim party in parliament warned Friday against giving too much power to the mainly Sunni Muslim volunteer forces.
Abdelaziz Hakim’s comments about the citizens groups underscored the sensitivity of the issue as U.S. officials increase pressure on the Iraqi government to give jobs to their members.
The U.S. pays volunteers about $10 a day. Most hope to get jobs in the Iraqi police force.
Hakim, who leads the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, said the groups should “continue in their supportive and assistance role” but not become a substitute for the security forces.
“Weapons should only be in the hands of the government,” Hakim said.
The future of the estimated 70,000 volunteers is likely to become a sticky issue as the U.S. begins reducing its troop levels. That is putting greater pressure on the Iraqis to maintain gains by bolstering their forces.
The Shiite-led government, however, has been slow to embrace the volunteers for fear they could turn into Sunni militias once the U.S. pulls out.
If the volunteers are not given jobs, however, there are concerns that they could turn on both the U.S. and Iraqi forces.
Hakim made his comments during a sermon marking Eid al-Adha, which Shiites celebrated Friday. Sunnis began observing it Wednesday.
In Najaf, an imam representing Shiite leader Muqtada Sadr used his sermon to denounce a bill that would allow former Baath Party members to hold government posts.
Sadruddin Qubanchi called former Baathists wolves. “If they return, they will eat you and your sons,” he said.
--
Special correspondents in Baghdad and Najaf contributed to this report.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
