Government pays 49,000 Sahwa fighters’ salaries – spokesman

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi government is committed to its vows to include Sahwa fighters in security forces, the official spokesman for the Baghdad operations command said on Wednesday, explaining that more than 49,000 fighters receive their salaries from the government. “The Iraqi government is committed to its vows regarding incorporating Sahwa fighters into security forces after their cooperation with the security authorities,” Qassem Atta told IraqiNews.com. “A total of 49381 Sahwa fighters receive their salaries from the government,” he noted. The U.S.-backed Sahwa councils are anti-Qaeda groups founded in Anbar and several Sunni cities to fight al-Qaeda network. The Iraqi government was reluctant to incorporate their fighters into security forces, citing the population quota and security vetting as reasons. SH (P) 1