1 000 Iraqi police killed
2004-12-21 12:39
Dubai - One thousand policemen have been killed in Iraq since the US-led coalition re-established the war-torn country's security forces, interim Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
"We have so far lost 1 000 police in clashes with rebels," the minister told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, but added that "terrorist operations have decreased by 50% since the end of the military offensive against Fallujah."
US-led forces launched a massive assault on the rebel enclave last month to regain control of the city from insurgents.
Iraqi security forces, who are not as well equipped or trained as their US counterparts, have been increasingly targeted by rebels in the approach to the January 30 elections.
Naqib also accused the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television channel of "making publicity for terrorist groups" in Iraq.
"This channel is hostile to Iraq. It broadcasts images of these terrorist groups and their activities. According to my information, it helps these groups financially," he said.
Iraqi Defence Minister Hazem Shaalan last month branded the popular Arabic-language satellite television a "channel of terrorism".
Al-Jazeera, which has been banned from reporting in Iraq since early August, expressed its "utter outrage" at the accusation and said it was an "unsubstantiated allegation".
The channel has frequently been accused by US and Iraqi authorities of inciting violence by screening "exclusive" videotapes from Islamic militants, including Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
- AFP