Saddam's secret police still have long reach (hunting collaborators) [View All]

[Barrett808]

Saddam's secret police still have long reach
By Michael Georgy
Tue Jul 12, 5:22 AM ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The midnight knock at the door is gone. But Iraqis say

Saddam Hussein's old Mukhabarat secret police have created a new "republic of fear" two years after his downfall.

Operating with ruthless efficiency, former Baathist agents are hunting down those who work for, or even voice support for, the new U.S.-backed government, say security experts who monitor the insurgency among Saddam's Sunni Arab minority in Iraq.

"I never take the same road to work and I always spend half an hour checking my car for bombs before I drive," said Abbas, a Baghdad police officer who asked that his family name not be used for fear of reprisals.

"Iraqis know that Saddam's people are still very active and are watching everyone."

Hundreds of officials and security personnel in the new administration have been killed in often sophisticated attacks.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050712/wl_nm/iraq_fear_dc