Diyala fights tide of al-Qaida attacks

BAQUBA - Authorities in Diyala province are stepping up security efforts in response to a rising threat from al-Qaida affiliates and other militant groups.

The government has formed a new 500-member Shiite "Awakening" (or Sahwah) group to protect the Shiite-majority Baladrooz and Khalis districts, according to an official directly involved in the effort.