LOC10:24
07:24 GMT
BAGHDAD, July 24 (KUNA) -- Saladin province saw more than 1,100 former
Iraqi combatants reconciled with local security and Multi-National Forces
(MNF) since May, according to the coalition force on Thursday.
About 1,100 combatants turned themselves into coordination centers as part
of the government and Iraqi-US joint forces efforts, MNF said in a statement.
Men who are thought to have committed crimes are given a court date, so
they can plead their cases before the Iraqi law, the statement added.
Meanwhile, more than 700 men reconciled in the city of Balad alone in a bid
to clear their names, where 76 men have been given court dates to appear
before an Iraqi judge.
MNF and Iraqi security forces discovered hidden weapons caches in
cooperation with the Iraqis combatants who recently join the reconciliation
operation.
Tikrit, the capital of Saladin province, saw similar security progress,
where 400 Iraqi militants handed over their weapons.
The number of reconciled Iraqis doubled in the city of Bijji in the past
few days, it said.
Saladin province is witnessing a restive security situation compared to
other Iraqi cities and provinces such as Diyala and Mosul. (end)
ahh.sab
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