Embattled Iraqi Turkmen take up arms against militants In the Iraqi town of Taza Khurmatu, a motley brigade of Shiite Turkmen locals are defending their homes from encroaching Sunni militants. They are armed with assault rifles, machine guns and a few rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and describe themselves as members of a Sahwa or "Awakening" force -- a reference to the collection of largely Sunni Arab militiamen who helped US forces turn against Al-Qaeda from late 2006. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES