Posted on 04/02/2008 2:33:21 PM PDT by mdittmar
The Iraqi security force known as Sons of Iraq opened its first office in Fallujah Wednesday in a ceremony attended by Iraqi government officials.
Faleh al-Dulami, a spokesman for the group, said the opening of the office foreshadows several others pending in Fallujah following the March 10 approval of a headquarters for the group by councilmen from the area.
Ahmed Abu Risha, the leader of the Awakening Councils, a Sunni group overseeing the militia, attended the ceremony with several Fallujah representatives and government officials, Voices of Iraq said.
The brother of Abu Risha, Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, established the Awakening Councils to drive al-Qaida operatives out of Anbar province. Abdul Sattar was assassinated Sept. 13, and Ahmed was quickly nominated as the chief of the councils.
Meanwhile, further north in Kirkuk, the Awakening militias with the cooperation of Iraqi police units apprehended an apparent suicide bomber before he could detonate his explosive vest, the U.S. military reported.
In Hillah south of Baghdad, an Iraqi special forces unit arrested 20 suspects thought to be behind a ring of smugglers bringing cars through Basra. The raid netted two vehicles, several weapons and $262,000 in U.S. currency.
Ping
OH SANDRATTTTT
Most interesting story on local progress coming from the BlameStreamMedia
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.