Posted on 05/04/2009 5:49:44 PM PDT by SandRat
MOSUL — The Commander if the Ninewa Operations Command (NOC), Iraqi Maj. Gen. Hassan Karim, hosted a joint assessment briefing recently to discuss current operations in the Ninewa province and the removal of Coalition combat forces from Iraqi cities by June 30. Gen. Ray Odierno, the commanding general of Multi-National Force - Iraq, took part in the briefing, which took place here at Forward Operating Base Diamondback. Joining the general were his top commanders as well as representatives from the Iraqi government and Police.
During the meeting, Minister of Defense Abd Al-Qadir expressed the need to defeat the terrorist's network. He included the importance of having Karim and the NOC support requests from Najafi.
He also said he would have an assessment made by an administrative team from the Ministry of Defense to determine if additional forces are needed in Mosul.
Najafi commented on how government economic improvement can help provide security.
Reminding everyone of the security agreement, Odierno said that for Coalition forces to remain inside cities beyond June 30, it would have be requested by the Iraqi government.
"It's a political decision, not a military one," added Odierno.
Odierno also explained that, if ordered to leave the cities, the relationship between Coalition forces and Iraqi Security Forces would require a closer partnership to continue to support the ISF through training teams and reconstruction projects.
Concluding the briefing, the Minister of Defense made a commitment to those attending to emplace a Ministry of Interior cell that will focus on breaking down extortion and the illegal financing of terrorist cells.
(By Spc. Daniel Nelson, 145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.