The Kurdish Peshmerga force had operated in the area alongside Iraqi forces, but disputes over jurisdiction prompted their withdrawal. Several sectarian skirmishes followed the redeployment.

Mayor Muhammad Mulla Hasan said the demonstrators were demanding Iraqi troops leave the area, claiming the region was safe, Voices of Iraq reported.

Mullah Bakhtyar with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party complained that Iraqi troops were patrolling the area with an obvious "political motive."

Iraqi and U.S. forces entered the area in July as part of Operation Promise of Good meant to target al-Qaida and other militants. Several residents claim, however, that forces are only targeting Sunni areas as well as the Sunni paramilitary force Sons of Iraq operating in the area.

Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the U.S. military, said there were few al-Qaida left in the area as the Sons of Iraq force already had run the group out of Diyala.

Meanwhile, a suicide attacker blew himself up at a police headquarters in Jalawla just west of Khanaqin, killing at least 25 people.

© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.