Sunni Mayor, 1,500 policemen 'fired' in Diyala

Insurgents have been a common sight in Baqouba, as in this photo from last month

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The mayor of Baqouba and 1,500 police officers in Diyala province have been fired in a bid to end the raging violence in that region northeast of Baghdad, the provincial police chief said Sunday.

Ghanim al-Qureyshi, who took command of police operations in the violent province after his predecessor was sacked last month, said Mayor Khalid Al-Senjeri, a Sunni Muslim, was dismissed over suspicions he was collaborating with Sunni Arab insurgents.

Last week, the mayor was reported kidnapped by insurgents who blew up his office and stole several new police vehicles in Baquoba, the provincial capital. He was released a few days later.

Al-Qureyshi said the 1,500 policemen were fired because they fled rather than fight when insurgents attacked in Baqouba in November. The chief said he was determined to create a police force free of corruption.

Read the rest at the LA Times

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