The Hindu : International : Kurdish-Shia pact may acquire a military angle

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Thursday, Jun 09, 2005

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International

Kurdish-Shia pact may acquire a military angle

Atul Aneja

President Talabani expresses support for Shia militia

MANAMA: The political alliance between Iraq's Kurdish community and the majority Shias appears to be acquiring a security dimension with President Jalal Talabani siding with a powerful Shia militia that has been accused of launching sectarian attacks.

At a conference marking the second anniversary of the transformation of the Badr Brigade from a purely military force to a political body, the veteran Kurdish leader said the group should disregard criticism from religious communities.

"You and your [Kurdish] brothers are the heroes of liberating Iraq," Mr. Talabani said. "You, my brothers, march on without paying attention to the enemies' claims because you and the [Kurdish militia] are faithful sons of this country."

Sunni groups, leading the militancy against the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq have accused the Shia Badr Brigade of assassinating clerics.

The size of the brigade — which had been the armed wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq is not known. It is believed smaller than the 100,000 strong Kurdish Peshmerga force. Three American soldiers were killed in guerilla attacks, raising the American toll to 1,679, according to an Associated Press count.

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