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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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US Intelligence admits strength of Iraqi insurgency Washington, 22 oct (PL) About 12,000-strong, Iraqi insurgence is larger and better funded than the Pentagon had anticipated, US intelligence sources admitted on Friday. Local press reports quoted US officials as saying they consider insurgence is between 8,000 and 12,000-strong and could reach 20,000 members including followers and collaborators. According to The New York Times, US intelligence services estimated at 7,000 the number of Iraqi rebels and foreigners who are fighting the US-led occupying forces. The core of the Iraqi resistance comprises about 50 militant cells with plenty of money provided by an underground network run by chiefs of the broken-up Baath party, the daily added. The US intelligence community estimates that other source of funding of the Israqi resistance comes from Saudi wealthy donors and Islamic charity organizations. Chief of the First Cavalry Division, General Meter Chiarelli, admitted this week that from 25,000 Iraqi police officers needed to keep order in Baghdad there are only 15,000, most of them lacking proper training. |
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