Posted on 07/10/2008 4:32:27 PM PDT by Uncle Ralph
BAGHDAD — Iraq experienced the lowest number of acts of violence in more than four years last week, a spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq said July 9.
Security progress in Iraq is unmistakable, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner said. Civilian deaths around the country were at their lowest point in three years, the general told reporters, adding that the reduction in violence is allowing the Iraqi government and the coalition to put in place projects that improve the quality of life in the country and create jobs for Iraqis.
The general said the security improvements are due in large part to growth in the size and capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces, the gains in capabilities fueled by Coalition forces working in partnership with their Iraqi counterparts. The coalition and Iraqi surge has been effective, as Iraqi Security Forces have grown from some 400,000 to more than 560,000 members, and Coalition forces deployed five brigades to improve population security and conduct offensive operations, Bergner said.
Though al-Qaida in Iraq has been handled severely in the past year, no one is declaring victory, Bergner said. "It's important to note that even with the progress being made against al-Qaida, they remain capable of high-profile attacks, and they continue to resort to barbaric tactics to inflict violence on the Iraqi people" ...
Iraqi and coalition operations continue to target al-Qaida in Iraq's operational, financial and propaganda networks, and this also contributes to security success, he noted.
Recent operations have killed or captured 12 al-Qaida leaders, Bergner said, including leaders in Salahuddin province, in the city of Beiji and in the northern city of Mosul. The Iraqi and coalition allies also have crippled the financial networks in these areas and destroyed the propaganda cells in Baghdad, the general added.
(Excerpt) Read more at mnf-iraq.com ...
Another hoax?
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