Anti-looting patrols bid to tackle street chaos

US-LED forces are providing security against looting in Iraqi cities and are working to prevent further lawlessness, US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday.

“We do feel an obligation to assist in providing security and the coalition forces are doing that. They’re patrolling in various cities where they see looting, they’re stopping it. And they will be doing so,” he said.

US officers in Baghdad said the patrols would be aimed at trying to restore a sense of normal life to a city battered by war, adding there was now little fear of major military battles.

“Fighting against a uniform threat or an enemy appears to be winding down, if it’s not already over,” said Lieutenant Colonel Fred Perdilla“We’re transferring into the stabilisation phase. We want, just like the Iraqis, for their quality of life to improve,” he said.

Lt Col Perdilla said marines would start patrolling neighbourhoods around Baghdad last night.

Heavy clashes at one of Saddam Hussein’s main palace compounds and a nearby mosque left one US soldier dead and 30 wounded, before marines were able to capture the two sites.

But despite that clash, the worst of the heavy fighting seemed finished, Lt Col Perdilla said.

Captain Sean Blodgett said the purpose of the patrols is to promote good will between the marines and civilians and help stabilise the security situation in the capital.

“If they can see us out in the neighbourhoods acting in a professional and friendly manner, understanding we’re here not to take this country over but free it, then we’ll build up a lot of goodwill,” Capt Blodgett said.

Meanwhile, vigilante groups sprang up in Baghdad to defend neighbourhoods against lootersArmed men at aroadblock in the middle class al-Mansur district fired on a car already full of stolen items when it drew close to the area.

The car made a U-turn as other drivers panicked and appeared to lose control of their vehicles.

Baghdadis carrying guns and assault rifles were seen setting up roadblocks in various districts while other armed men stood guard at intersections as the night fell on a chaotic city where fires raged in official buildings and hotels.

Another marine officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he hoped relief organisations would be able to start work within two days, stressing that medical supplies were badly needed.

The main driving force behind the terror threats in Baghdad was still the Ba’ath party, the officer said.

“The biggest terrorist threat is organised by the Ba’ath party, whether it’s jihad or Fedayeen,” he said, identifying Syrians, Yemenis, Egyptians, Jordanians and a French national as being among arrested Arab mercenaries.

He added: “The majority of them have been Syrian or Jordanian.”

Acting on information from POWsmarines bombed a building sheltering some 17 Fedayeen who were planning to attack the captured palace complex on Thursday night, he said.