Irak

[Holger]

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defense force
TIKRIT, Iraq, Aug 15, SPA -- The U.S. Army began training an
Iraqi militia force on Friday to take on civil defense duties and
pave the way for U.S. forces to leave Iraq.
Fifty young men hand-picked by tribal leaders started
three weeks of intensive training at one of Saddam
Hussein's main palaces in the northern town of Tikrit,
which is now headquarters for the 4th Infantry Division.
Lt. Col. Steve Russell said similar training programs were
expected to begin in other cities across Iraq shortly.
"Our goal is that you will take our place and take over
the security of your own people," Russell told recruits
and tribal leaders.
"We are training you to be the leaders of a larger force
that we will be creating in the coming months," he said.