[Shahnawaz]

Iraqi groups 'withdraw' US support

Roadside bombings continue to target US and Iraqi army soldiers as well as Iraqi civilians [EPA]


Some Sunni armed groups known as Awakening Councils appear to have withdrawn their support for US forces and the Iraqi government in Diyala province.

The move has been seen as a significant blow to the US, which has hailed the groups' work in securing towns and neighbourhoods as a rare success in increasing security in the country.

Meanwhile, the US military announced that five American soldiers were killed in two roadside bombings on Friday.

Four of the deaths occurred in Baghdad and one in Tamim province, the US military said in two separate statements on Saturday. The Tamim blast also wounded three soldiers.

At least 3,958 members of the US military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press news agency count.


Council anger

In Diyala province, a curfew has been imposed after the Sunni Awakening Councils ended patrols of towns and neighbourhoods.

The councils, comprised of mostly Sunni tribesmen who have partnered with American forces to force al-Qaeda and other fighters from their home towns, are refusing to return to the streets unless the chief of police resigns.

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Tensions began mounting after two girls were kidnapped and killed last week by men dressed in Iraqi security forces uniform. Their bodies were later found stripped naked.

The armed groups demanded gave the chief of police until Friday to apologise and arrest the men, who they say are Shia militiamen in the Iraqi security forces.

The fallout between the councils and Iraq's government is likely to impede US efforts to gain full control of the region.




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