Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Hundreds of Iraqi citizens who volunteered to stay in President Saddam Hussein’s palaces in 1997 to act as "human shields" against expected U.S. and British attacks are reportedly returning this week for Ramadan.
The official al-Iraq newspaper reported Tuesday that the Iraqis have been invited back to the palaces by Saddam to break the daily fasts during the Muslim holy month. The newspaper did not say how many were invited or give the names and locations of the palaces.
Approximately 2,000 Iraqis, including women and children, responded to a call four years ago by the Iraqi leader to stay in his palaces at a time when a military strike by the United States and Britain was widely expected.
Devout Muslims abstain from food, drink, sex and smoking from dawn until sunset during Ramadan, which began last week.
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