BAGHDAD, September 10 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Scores of former senior Iraqi officers in Saddam Hussein's disbanded army are working with US forces as consultants in a bid to alleviate resistance operations against foreign occupation, US military sources unveiled.

The senior Iraqi officers are paid thousands of dollars by the US Defense Department in return for offering operational information on resistance groups and giving advice on improving performance of Iraqi police and national guardsmen.

"Those who turn up to two in a row of the twice-monthly meetings in Baqouba, walk away with a $US250 ($360) pay cheque," US Captain Patric Nichols was quoted by Agence France Presse (AFP) as saying.

But the decision was later withdrawn in April, raising suspicions over Washington's claims of determination to get rid of Saddam and other Baathists - some of them were serving in the disbanded army.

Formed in Baquoba by US officer Dana Pittard three months ago, former Iraqi officers are giving advice to the US occupation forces on how to ease resistance attacks in the northern Iraqi provinces of Salahuddin, Tamim, Sulaimaniya and Diyala.

US military forces considered the meetings as useful in helping containing the Iraqi resistance attacks against the US forces in the area.

"It's been worth it. In conjunction with our intelligence-based operations and with their possible connections, the insurgency (resistance) has decreased ... The military advisory committee is part of that equation," Nicolas added.

Resistance attacks against the US occupation forces in Diyala have dropped over the past two months and no American soldier has been killed in the province since June 24, though attacks against Iraqi police and national guardsmen have increased.

Being respected in the Iraqi community and due to their links with some resistance men, the former senior Iraqi officers are playing a role in convincing some Iraqi resistance men to end their attacks.

The consulting committee of the Iraqi officers was first formed last May, a year Bremer disbanded the Iraqi army.

Since it was formed, the committee comprised only 20 members but now it has 41 former Iraqi officers.

However, fuelled by the growing anti-American sentiments after the invasion and occupation of the oil-rich country, which left thousands of civilians dead and many others injured and maimed, some former army officers have vowed to continue resistance until the end of occupation.

The IslamOnline.net correspondent in Baghdad said there are many former army officers who joined the ranks of resistance fighters against occupation forces.

He added that many of some of the Baathist-linked factions have adopted a number of attacks against the American soldiers, or gave a financial assistance to resistance fighters in the country.