U.S. denies Iraqi police behind death squads

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States military said on Wednesday it had found no evidence that the Iraqi government and its police were behind Shi'ite sectarian death squads murdering Sunnis in Baghdad.

"Initially there were a lot of allegations that death squads were not only coming out of Ministry of Interior forces but also organized by the Ministry of Interior," said Major General Joseph Peterson, in charge of training Iraqi police.

"We have not identified any Ministry of Interior personnel as a part of the death squad members and leaders that we have picked up, this seems to counter the initial allegations discrediting them," he told a briefing in Baghdad.

Sunni leaders say they believe the police include members of Shi'ite militia whom they blame for an increase in sectarian violence that has erupted since a Shi'ite mosque was destroyed in February. The United States now says that violence is the greatest security threat in the country.

Read the rest at the Washington Post

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