Al-Anbar rejection of al-Qaeda creates economic, political opportunities

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Spc. Carl N. Hudson

[SandRat]

BAGHDAD — The deputy commander of Multi-National Division-West and the governor of Al-Anbar province held a press conference at the Combined Press Information Center Tuesday.

U.S.Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John Allen, deputy commander of MND-W, and Mamoun Sami Rashid Al-Awani, the governor of Al-Anbar province, discussed the progression of security and stability in Al-Anbar province.

“The Al-Anbar province is in transition,” said Allen. “The recent improvement in the security situation across the province has created significant political and economic opportunities.”

Recently, Al-Anbar citizens have made several big steps engaging al-Qaeda in the province and have grown politically and economically closer with the Iraqi central government.

“There are dramatic changes in Al-Anbar,” said Allen. “The Anbaris have rejected al-Qaeda’s

“The security improvements have been brought about by a groundswell of opposition to al-Qaeda, represented in the fact that just in a year, the police forces in Al-Anbar have grown from about 2,000 to 14,500,” he added.

As tribal and elder leaders in Al-Anbar province offer their sons to combat terrorism through the Iraqi Army or Iraqi Police, Coalition forces are optimistic about the overall situation in the province.

“A partnership exists today in Al-Anbar province between Coalition forces, the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army,” said Allen. “By and large, al-Qaeda has been expelled out of the population centers.”

As efforts in security progress, the economy in Al-Anbar province is expected to pick up.

“In 2006, we finished more than 160 projects all over the province,” said Al-Awani. “Thankfully, this year, things have been different [because of security progress], and we are carrying out more projects in Al-Anbar province than we have conducted last year.”

While the Al-Anbar province has improved economically and in security, al-Qaeda continues to attack Iraqi and Coalition forces.

“There are still some security issues, and there will be spectacular attacks by al-Qaeda to gain headlines and to grab attention,” said Allen.

With the arrival of more Coalition troops to support Al-Anbar in pursuing al-Qaeda, the Al-Anbar provincial government is expected to focus more on reconstruction and ultimately returning to normalcy.

According to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, the Coalition wins the war only when the Iraqis achieve peace.

While Coalition leaders expect peace in Iraq to be lengthy and difficult, Multi-National Force-Iraq remains committed to the goal of self-governance, economic prosperity and security of the population for the Iraqis.

[SandRat]

In other developments throughout Iraq:

• Coalition forces freed 12 Iraqis who were held captive and beaten by terrorists during a raid Tuesday morning on a site northeast of Karmah targeted for its ties to another terrorist detention facility.

• Coalition Forces detained 15 suspected terrorists, including two alleged terrorist cell leaders, during raids around Iraq Tuesday morning targeting the al-Qaeda network.

Press Releases

• Convoy attacked by insurgents in Rusafa
• FOUR TERRORISTS KILLED; TIED TO IED PRODUCTION
• Task Force Lightning Soldiers attacked
• Patrol encounters IED attack
• MND-B patrol receives small arms fire
• Patrol struck by IED

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

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All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

[stephenjohnbanker]

B U M P

[Calpernia]

Anbar progress bump

[jveritas]

The terrorists losing Al Anbar province is bringing them to a quick and total defeat all over Iraq. It is similar to WW II when the Nazis lost Berlin.

[Calpernia]

bump