Iraq offers amnesty in northern Qaeda stronghold

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, leading a northern offensive against al Qaeda, on Friday offered cash and freedom from prosecution to fighters who give up their weapons within 10 days.

Maliki made the amnesty offer in the northern city of Mosul, where he has been supervising a campaign aimed at delivering a fatal blow to Sunni Islamist al Qaeda in the city and surrounding Nineveh province.

Many al Qaeda gunmen have regrouped in Nineveh after being pushed out of Baghdad and other areas. The U.S. military says Mosul is al Qaeda's last major urban stronghold in Iraq.

"We have decided to grant amnesty to those who joined the armed groups on condition they hand over heavy and medium weapons to the security forces," Maliki said in a statement.



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