FACTBOX-Militias and security forces in Iraq
Source: Reuters
Feb 19 (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed security crackdown in Baghdad aims to break the power of Shi'ite militias and other militant groups, including Sunni Islamist al Qaeda. Following are details on some militias, militant groups and other security forces operating in Iraq: OVERVIEW The U.S. military says there are about two dozen militias operating in Iraq. The two most powerful are the Mehdi Army of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the Badr Organisation, the armed wing of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). Both Sadr's political movement and SCIRI are part of the ruling Shi'ite Alliance. Critics of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki say previous crackdowns in Baghdad failed because he was reluctant to act against militias of political allies, but he says this time no areas and no groups are off-limits. His government is looking at eventually disbanding militias or incorporating them into the security forces. BADR BRIGADE A Shi'ite militia formed in Iran in the early 1980s with the aim of toppling Saddam Hussein from exile. The Badr Brigade, which is said to number 20,000 highly trained men, fought on the side of fellow Shi'ite Iran during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. The militia was once led by Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, who now heads SCIRI. Badr changed its name to the Badr Organisation after Saddam's overthrow and says it has largely disarmed its fighters, but many Iraqis believe Badr is still fully armed. The U.S. military says Badr attacks Sunni Arab targets and competes with the Mehdi Army for influence among Shi'ites. MEHDI ARMY Formed after Saddam's overthrow in April 2003, the Mehdi Army is loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr, a fiercely outspoken, Shi'ite cleric who is popular among Iraq's poor, urban Shi'ite majority. Since the Samarra shrine bombing in February 2006 unleashed a wave of sectarian bloodletting, it has grown more powerful. The U.S. military calls it the biggest threat to peace. Sunni Arab leaders and U.S. officials blame it for death squad killings. Some factions have splintered away from the militia and are no longer answerable to Sadr. Hundreds of so-called "rogue" militiamen have been captured or killed in recent months. But the U.S. military says Sadr still exerts control over most Mehdi Army militiamen, whose exact number is unknown. Sadr led two rebellions against U.S.-led forces in 2004, but his militiamen have kept a low profile during the current crackdown. Iraq's president says Sadr, who U.S. officials say may be in Iran, has ordered his militia leaders to leave Iraq. PESHMERGA FORCES While there have been Kurdish armed groups in mountainous northern Iraq for centuries, the first modern armed rebel group was formed in 1946 to fight for an independent Kurdish state. Kurdish fighters are often called 'peshmerga', a Kurdish word meaning "those ready to die". Peshmerga number up to 140,000 with loyalties divided between Kurdistan's two main political groups, the Kurdish Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Around 20,000 peshmerga have been folded into Iraq's army, but they are largely based in the Kurdish region. SUNNI MILITANT GROUPS There are a range of Sunni militant groups operating in Iraq, several loosely affiliated, others operating alone. The groups have been responsible for many of the worst bombings. Former Baathists, loyal to Saddam, form the bulk of the insurgents. The Islamic Army in Iraq is believed to be the largest group of former Baathists and military officers fighting Iraqi and U.S. forces. Religious extremists and foreign fighters are believed to be the driving force behind the al Qaeda-led group which calls itself the Islamic State of Iraq and often claims responsibility for the deadliest attacks. The U.S. military says it has killed or captured hundreds of al Qaeda members. Nevertheless, car bombings blamed on al Qaeda continue to kill hundreds, particularly in Baghdad. IRAQI AND FOREIGN SECURITY FORCES There are 135,000 trained and equipped Iraqi troops and 188,000 Ministry of Interior forces, which includes the police. The present-for-duty number, however, is much lower due to leave, desertion and chronic absenteeism. They are backed up by around 140,000 U.S. troops, 7,000 British soldiers and much smaller units from other foreign nations. U.S. President George W. Bush has said he is sending an additional 21,000 troops to Iraq in the coming months.
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