September 27 2013 | http://iswiraq.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-baghdad-division-iraqi-shia-militia.html

The Baghdad Division: Iraqi Shi‘a Militia Elements to Form State-Backed Force

By Ahmed Ali

The Iraqi government plans to form a division comprised of Iraqi Shi’a militia members. This planned division will be deployed in Baghdad. This development is recognition by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that current security measures are ineffective. While the formation of this division may appeal to the Iraqi Shi’a, it may lead to further discontent by the Iraqi Sunnis. Al-Qaeda in Iraq will capitalize on the formation of this division and seek new opportunities to escalate sectarian violence in Iraq. The formation of the division will damage Maliki’s credentials and likely lead to further instability.