Posted on 12/17/2007 3:17:20 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2007 – In a joint statement issued Dec. 16, 2007, U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Multinational Force Iraq commander, and Patricia A. Butenis, chargé d'affaires, said "the United States and Multinational Force Iraq welcome the transfer of security responsibility in Basra Province to Iraqi responsibility as a positive step on the path to Iraq's self-reliance.
"Basra is the ninth province to be transferred to Iraqi security responsibility as the government of Iraq and its security forces continue to develop and assume greater responsibility for governing and providing security for the citizens of Iraq. The first province transferred to Government of Iraqi security control was Muthanna in July 2006, followed by Dhi Qar, An Najaf, Maysan, Irbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk and most recently in October 2007, Karbala.
"The transfer of provincial security responsibility is particularly significant because it includes the city of Basra, the second largest city in Iraq. Basra played an important role in early Islamic history and was founded in the first century of Hijra. The country’s main port is located in Basra province and has been an integral part in the reconstruction and advancement of logistical efforts for the rest of the country.
"Iraqi Security Forces in Basra have been successfully operating independently, maintaining their own security for the past four months. Working with local government and military officials, they have demonstrated their readiness to assume responsibility for the provincial security. Today this responsibility is theirs.
"The transition of responsibility for security in Basra Province represents the most recent step toward a future of improved security, self-reliance and increasing prosperity that will benefit all Iraqi citizens. In order to attain sustainable security, the provincial and military leadership in Basra still have work to do and we will assist as requested. The United States and Multi-National Force-Iraq congratulate the Government of Iraq on this important milestone."
FR WAR NEWS!
Regards
Petraeus BumP
Let’s hope so. The British pulled out of an area in Afghanistan to soon. I hope they did not pull out to soon in Basra.
? Your post is confused and inaccurate.
Vis a vis Basra, we are pulling back (not leaving the country as US TV reports) to the outskirts of the city, to continue in overwatch, training IA, and patrolling the Iraq-Iran border. Our contribution still beats any other nation in the coalition.
Concerning Afghanistan, the UK pulled out of Musa Qala a year back because our support helo’s were being placed in too much risk getting supplies to our small outpost in the town. In the year since then, we have trained our Afghan Army to a decent degree, so that they can now actually fight with us against the Taliban. With these extra troops, we have been able to assault Musa Qala again in the last week, defeating the Taliban and securing the town once more for the Afghan Government. Sounds like a case of losing the battle, but winning the war to me!
Nice one SR, always good to see what new info you have got from an American perspective concerning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is good news for Basra, as the IA can now impose a kind of martial law to control the depleted militias.
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