
Iraqi PM eyes creation of National Guards force
A spokesman for PM's office said the National Guards will 'offer a strong cover' for the tribesmen and volunteer fighters battling ISIS militants
The Iraqi parliament will vote Tuesday on proposal by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to create a National Guards force, his office has said in a statement.
A spokesman for the premier's office said the National Guards will "offer a strong cover" for the tribesmen and volunteer fighters battling the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants.
Saad al-Hudaithi said these guards will prevent "marginal skirmishes after liberation of the land held by ISIS, and allows weapons to remain within the defense ministry's control."
This comes after Sunni politicians and tribal chiefs in the now liberated eastern province of Diyala accused Shiite fighters of killing unarmed civilians who had fled clashes with ISIS.
The former Iraqi National Guard was dissolved following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Both U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry also called on for the establishment of a new Iraqi national guard as part of reforms to salvage the country's security situation.
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