Quite the contrary, it was under his administration that more than 30, 000 right-wing paramilitary fighters were demobilized last year.

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Although Iraqi paramilitary fighters were putting up fierce resistance, the suburbs and parts of the city appeared to be in coalition control.

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The official told CNN that "I think we underestimated" the Saddam Fedayeen, a group of paramilitary fighters said to be loyal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's eldest son, Uday.

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