Militia Chief Wants Australian Troops Out of Iraq

The leader of the Muslim militia group that dominates southern Iraq has called on Australia to pull its troops out of the country. Badr organisation is a mainstream militia group linked to the Shiite Muslim political bloc that won Iraq's recent elections. Its chief, Hadi al a Miri, says his men are in control of the Muthanna province and its provincial capital Simawah where 450 Australian troops are about to set up a base.

"Simawah is a secure place and the reason for that stability is our presence there," he said. "Simawah is under our control."The group has tens of thousands of men under arms but is in the process of becoming a mainstream political organisation and is not threatening violence. Australian troops are currently in Kuwait, testing their weapons and preparing to move in Southern Iraq for a mission set to last about a year. Link