BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki promised police jobs for pro-government fighters in Anbar province yesterday, as the deputy premier said they aim to cut supplies to gunmen holding one of its cities.
Anti-government fighters seized all of the city of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, west of Baghdad, where the United Nations says up to 300,000 people have fled a surge in unrest this year. Clashes in the province have pitted security forces and pro-government tribesmen against jihadist militants and tribal fighters opposed to the authorities.
Police in Anbar “will absorb all the honourable sons of the tribes who stood on the side” of security forces, Maliki said in televised remarks in which he announced measures aimed at addressing the crisis.
It was not clear when the pledge would be implemented, and some tribesmen previously promised jobs after joining forces with the United States against Al Qaeda militants have faced years of delay in receiving them.AFP
