I sensed our peaceful walk in the country was about to be hijacked by warring property militias.
Myanmar’s army engaged one of the country’s largest rebel militias in pitched battles in the north-east, where China is building a series of vast hydropower projects.
Mr Nkunda claims to be fighting to protect Tutsis from Hutu militias that he says played a part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which saw perhaps 800, 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus killed.
But too many Americans would be left undefended or underdefended, and too many militias and insurance companies would devote so much money and manpower to cost-shifting battles that they would lack sufficient funds to extend coverage or maintain existing coverage at an affordable level.
There are reports that Mahdi army militias are harassing young men simply for wearing "western fashions".
Byzantine Spearmen are a step up from spear militias, better trained and equipped, these troops are able to form a defensive ring.
Yet three months after the Mecca deal, the rival militias were locked in a ferocious civil war which left scores dead and ended with Hamas in military control of Gaza.
There were reports of Misrata militias shooting unarmed Tawerghans.
Local militias play an important role in Italian armies. These troops are armed with short spear and shield.
The American general in charge wasn’t convinced and publicly squashed the idea of militias, while Washington's ambassador persisted in believing the “only good Taliban is a caged Taliban”.
So Libyans may see more violent spats between militias and unilateral moves over high-value prisoners.
Mousavi had attempted to cancel the rally after receiving warnings that militias responsible for policing it would be equipped with live ammunition.
On April 2, Israeli army entered and occupied Bethlehem. They tried to surround more than 200 Palestinian militias, who then hid themselves inside the Church of Nativity. The standoff has continued till today.
Mr Kagame denies that a renegade Tutsi general, Laurent Nkunda, whose militias terrorise much of Kivu, has been armed by fellow Tutsis from Rwanda.
Two years ago, the UN passed a splendid resolution, 1559, demanding the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon.
He says another priority will be to disarm Mohamed Bacar's militias and find their leader.
Most awkward of all, how would a Palestinian government disarm settlers who insisted on retaining self-defence militias?
The prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, aiming his wrath at the Sadrists, has said that no party may take part in the provincial elections unless it first disbands its militias.
Equipped with a spear and shield these troops are a little more robust than local militias formed by peasants. Been second rank troops they are equiped with the kontarion mikron ('normal' spear).
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