| Iraq plans to merge its major security forces. Officials said Iran plans to merge its National Guard with the Iraqi Army. They said the merger would take place on Jan. 6 in an effort to improve coordination and cooperation. Defense Minister Hazem Shaalan said the merger would improve the performance of both the army and National Guard. The National Guard has about 40,000 troops and plans to expand to 45 battalions. The army has about 5,000 troops. On Sunday, 29 people, including at least 18 National Guard soldiers, were killed in a suicide car bombing against a bus near a U.S. military base north of Baghdad. Six other soldiers were injured in the attack. |