Baghdad Security Unfolds with a Unified Iraqi Command Structure
Washington -- Days into the implementation of a new security plan, a senior U.S military official said Iraqi forces are meeting their commitments amidst signs of early progress toward breaking the cycle of sectarian violence in Iraq’s capital. Besides the arrival of a brigade of additional Iraqi troops to reinforce security in Baghdad, Army Lieutenant General Douglas Lute cited other positive evidence like the creation of a single unified chain of command for all Iraq’s army and police forces and the establishment of new Iraqi-U.S. neighborhood security stations that will provide a round-the-clock presence. Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon February 9, he said 10 joint security stations are in place and plans are to triple that number.
Mark Kimmitt, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, who briefed with Lute, said additional U.S. military and civilian assets are being dedicated to the mission to quell the violence so the Iraqi government can concentrate on political and economic development. Assets and resources, including boosting the number of provincial reconstruction teams, are focused on ensuring success, he said.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington -- Days into the implementation of a new security plan, a senior U.S military official said Iraqi forces are meeting their commitments amidst signs of early progress toward breaking the cycle of sectarian violence in Iraq’s capital.
Besides the arrival of a brigade of additional Iraqi troops to reinforce security in Baghdad, Army Lieutenant General Douglas Lute cited other positive evidence like the creation of a single unified chain of command for all Iraq’s army and police forces and the establishment of new Iraqi-U.S. neighborhood security stations that will provide a round-the-clock presence. Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon February 9, he said 10 joint security stations are in place and plans are to triple that number.
Mark Kimmitt, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, who briefed with Lute, said additional U.S. military and civilian assets are being dedicated to the mission to quell the violence so the Iraqi government can concentrate on political and economic development. Assets and resources, including boosting the number of provincial reconstruction teams, are focused on ensuring success, he said.
“We are provisioned and resourced sufficiently with both physical resources and support from the Maliki government to move forward with the plan,” Kimmitt said. Once the violence abates, the government can deal with unresolved issues like political reconciliation, amnesty, pressing budget needs and passing hydrocarbon legislation, he added.
Lute said it could be several months before results are clear, but “so far, so good.” Kimmitt said contingency planning to revise the Baghdad security plan -- which divides the city into nine sectors -- is a part of the equation. For now, though, he said the effort is on buying time and space for the Iraqi government so there is a chance for political momentum to build to allow the various factions “to come together to address the root causes of some of the violence.” ( See related article ).
Lute also said Iraqi forces -- as promised -- are observing “no-holds-barred rules of engagement” when conducting their operations, meaning that no political entity is immune from arrest nor are any areas off limits.
As evidence of this, Lute pointed to the detention by Iraqi security forces of a deputy health minister because of his association with the Mahdi militia. Only a few months ago that would have been unthinkable, he said. It demonstrates a new commitment by the Iraqi government that “the rules of the game have changed,” he added.
Lute said U.S. military advisers are working side by side with the Iraqis as they plan security sweeps and carry out the overall strategy of clear, hold and build. He also indicated that the number of advisers embedded with Iraqi battalions is likely to increase from around 10 to 30, so that the Americans can provide their own security protection.
Lute was asked about a string of U.S. helicopter crashes in Iraq in recent weeks. Based on eyewitness accounts, he said, the most recent crash was the result of mechanical failure. Another crash was due to pilot error. He said the other crashes occurred during hostile fire, but there is no evidence that the helicopters were shot down by shoulder-launched missiles.
( USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov )
This story was released on 2007-02-12. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.