29 May 2011
Kirkuk - After recent terrorist attacks, Kirkuk has restructured its security measures to fight the ongoing violence.
Najmaddin Kareem, governor of Kirkuk, announced that surveillance cameras will be installed and police personnel will face major changes.
According to the new plans, surveillance cameras will monitor major streets in Kirkuk city, specifically watching out for cars without license plate. These cars will be banned.
Secondly, policemen will be replaced, when they do not meet the requirements of the tense security situation in Kirkuk, Kareem said.
Last week, Kirkuk district's Police Chief Sarhad Qadir defended police efforts, saying that judges and investigators are responsible for the rise in insurgency.
"Suspects get released because they are from the same nation or tribe as the judge", Qadir speculated. Some judges may also be threatened or bribed. Also, investigators would change allegations, so gunmen are freed on bail and could continue their insurgency.
Qadir said his forces have arrested the same gunmen several times, shortly after they were released.
Governor Kareem also blamed the lack of coordination among Kirkuk security forces for the widespread insurgency.
Meanwhile, a joint force of Iraqi police, Kurdish Army and U.S. military, called "Golden Lion Force", has been formed to fight the insurgency in Kirkuk province.
The unit of 500 men is currently being trained by a U.S. supervisor at the U.S. military airport in Kirkuk.
According to Sherko Mohammed, commander of the 1st Peshmarga Brigade, there are 165 Kurdish troops - peshmarga - in the Golden Lion Force.
Kirkuk, Iraq's oil-rich city, 250 km north of Baghdad, has seen increasing violence over the last couple of weeks, with daily assassinations and attacks that climaxed in a major bombing series on Thursday, May 19, that left 27 dead and 79 injured.
Kirkuk - After recent terrorist attacks, Kirkuk has restructured its security measures to fight the ongoing violence.
Najmaddin Kareem, governor of Kirkuk, announced that surveillance cameras will be installed and police personnel will face major changes.
According to the new plans, surveillance cameras will monitor major streets in Kirkuk city, specifically watching out for cars without license plate. These cars will be banned.
Secondly, policemen will be replaced, when they do not meet the requirements of the tense security situation in Kirkuk, Kareem said.
Last week, Kirkuk district's Police Chief Sarhad Qadir defended police efforts, saying that judges and investigators are responsible for the rise in insurgency.
"Suspects get released because they are from the same nation or tribe as the judge", Qadir speculated. Some judges may also be threatened or bribed. Also, investigators would change allegations, so gunmen are freed on bail and could continue their insurgency.
Qadir said his forces have arrested the same gunmen several times, shortly after they were released.
Governor Kareem also blamed the lack of coordination among Kirkuk security forces for the widespread insurgency.
Meanwhile, a joint force of Iraqi police, Kurdish Army and U.S. military, called "Golden Lion Force", has been formed to fight the insurgency in Kirkuk province.
The unit of 500 men is currently being trained by a U.S. supervisor at the U.S. military airport in Kirkuk.
According to Sherko Mohammed, commander of the 1st Peshmarga Brigade, there are 165 Kurdish troops - peshmarga - in the Golden Lion Force.
Kirkuk, Iraq's oil-rich city, 250 km north of Baghdad, has seen increasing violence over the last couple of weeks, with daily assassinations and attacks that climaxed in a major bombing series on Thursday, May 19, that left 27 dead and 79 injured.
© AK News 2011
