Baghad (AKI) -- A number of insurgent groups have refused to take orders from al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, since elements linked to his Tawhid e Jihad formation killed a number of tribal and religious leaders, according to well-informed sources in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, in Iraq's central Anbar province. "There have been armed clashes in the past few days between al-Zarqawi's supporters, and elements from the national resistance," sources speaking on condition of anonymity told Adnkronos International (AKI).

These clashes gained momentum after a number of local tribal leaders created a 3,000-strong militia whose mandate is to protect civilians from insurgent violence and expel al-Zarqawi's network from the city, the sources said.

"Members of the militia in Anbar province, have however refused to carry out their public security duties until the US troops withdraw from Ramadi," said the sources.

A spokesman for the US-led peacekeeping troops in Iraq, Brigadier-General Donald Alston, has praised the role played by tribal leaders in Anbar province, in helping rout al-Zarqawi's network in the area. US and Iraqi military forces have completed an under-cover operation in the province after receiving intelligence that foreign fighters and capital were entering the area, Alston said.

"Iraq's 227,000-strong security force is continuing to put pressure on al-Qaeda's network in Iraq, which has suffered heavy losses and is reorganising," Alston stated.

The formation of the new militia in Anbar province was decided in conjunction with the US-led coalition, and is aimed at protecting people in the area and repelling terrorist elements, a local tribal chieftan told AKI on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday, several armed groups fighting against Iraq's transitional government and coalition troops posted a statement on the Internet, saying they had severed all links with the Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi, who is suspected of masterminding some of the bloodiest attacks in Iraq.