US troops are continuing to struggle to end looting and violence in Iraq. America is sending a team of 1,200 police to Iraq to try and restore law and order to Baghdad after three days of looting and violence.
US officials have also asked Iraqi police officers to help.
The US State Department said an advance party of 26 police and a judiciary officer were being sent to the Middle East.
On the ground, U.S. troops and Iraqi police are setting up patrols to rein in waves of thievery in the capital. Thieves pillaged the Iraq National Museum, stealing or destroying artifacts going back 7,000 years. The loss resonated through Baghdad and around the world.
Iraqi police worked with U.S. Marines to set up joint patrols that would start work in a day or two. "Anyone who carries a weapon or fires a weapon, we will fire at," Iraqi police Col. Mohammed Zaki said. Marine Staff. Sgt. Jeremy Stafford said of the arrangement: "It's going to happen sooner rather than later." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
