Iraq vows security takeover this year

AP ^ | 8/2/06 | Sameer Yacoub

[frankjr]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Jalal Talabani said Wednesday that Iraqi forces will take over security in all provinces in the country by the end of the year. U.S. forces currently are responsible for security in 17 of Iraq's 18 provinces.

The optimistic statement by Talabani comes at a time when the country is reeling under intense sectarian violence, mainly involving Shiite and Sunni militias. On Tuesday, more than 70 people were killed in one of the worst days of bloodshed.

Talabani, a Kurd from northern Iraq, said the government is confident of vanquishing terrorism.

"We are highly optimistic that we will terminate terrorism in this year... the multinational forces' role is a supportive one and the Iraqi forces will take over security in all Iraqi provinces by the end of this year gradually and God's will, we will take the lead," he said.

"The terrorists fear the unity of the Iraqi people," he said. "Our armed forces are doing well, but we expect more from them."

[frankjr]

"Our armed forces are doing well, but we expect more from them."

They better hurry up...only 5 months to go.

[wideawake]

Many people presume that a provincial security transition is binary - one day the US is running every aspect of security and the day of the transition Iraqis are magically running everything.

The facts are that the Iraqis have been laying the security groundwork in every province for some time - even though only one province has made a 100% transition it does not mean that other provinces aren't already 75% or 90% there.

I don't believe there is a single province where coalition troops man 100% of security details.

[kabar]

It is also worth mentioning that Iraqi military and police fatalities, 5,112, are double the US losses. Since January 2005 they have lost 3,812 personnel. In July they lost 215 personnel compared to our 45. Bush and the Adminstration need to do a better job publicizing the sacrifice that the Iraqis are making in this fight. They are fighting and dying for their country and not leaving it up to the Americans.

[sgtbono2002]

IMO a funeral for Al Sadr would go a long way towards what ails Baghdad.

[jmc1969]

Kill Sadr you still have two angry pro-Iranian militias running around.

The best thing we can do is to attack the militias. And, make clear to Sadr and Harkim if they cause shit it will be the end of their lives. Both Sadr and Harkim are cowards who value their own lives above all else.

[eraser2005]

My thoughts exactly - he thinks they'll be in a position to do this in 5 months?

If they're smart, they'll transfer control in a few more provinces SOON. Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk, and Arbil should be the next to join Muthanna. Turkey might get perturbed, but there have been 0 coalition deaths in Sulaymaniyah and Dahuk during the whole war, and 1 in Arbil.

After that, I'd try to get Karbala (28), Qadisiyah (22), and Wasit (36) transferred over. They're close enough to Baghdad and the Sunni areas as to actually provide proof to Sunni Iraqis that the occupation will end when things are stable.... anything to help minimize the #s who feel drawn to the insurgency...

After that, Basrah (73), Dhi Qar (72), Maysan (20), Qadisiyah (22), Najaf (29), Diyala (83), and At-Ta'mim (41) should go.

That would leave just Babil (136), Baghdad (646), Anbar (930), Salah ad Din (272) and Ninawa (183).