Irak

[Skywalker]

U.S. DENIES BAGHDAD HEAVY WEAPONS


BAGHDAD [MENL] -- Iraq has accused the United States of denying Baghdad's security forces heavy weapons required to fight Sunni insurgents.

Iraqi officials said that despite repeated requests the U.S. military has refused to deliver heavy weapons to Iraq's military and security forces. They said the U.S. military removed weapons from platforms and vehicles donated to Iraq's armed forces. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have donated combat vehicles, but officials said the heavy weapons on these platforms were removed.

The disclosure of Iraq's request for heavy weapons came amid the bloodiest attacks in months in Baghdad. At least 50 people were killed on Tuesday in a car bombing -- attributed to Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi -- next to a police station filled with 200 police applicants. Since Sept. 12, about 160 people have been killed in Sunni insurgency attacks in Iraq.

Officials said the police have become the key target of Sunni insurgents, a trend that has hampered recruitment efforts. They said that more than 240 people were killed in Iraq since May in strikes that targeted police facilities. From April 2003 to May 2004, 710 Iraqi police were killed in attacks.

Quelle: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2004/september/09_17_1.html">http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2004/ ... _17_1.html</a><!-- m -->