The reported decline in violence included a drop in weekly killings from
more than 160 in 2006 to fewer than five today. Officials said car-bombings
have declined by nearly 85 percent in wake of U.S.-led coalition attacks on
Al Qaida networks. Out of 95 neighborhoods, 58 were now considered under
control, 33 remain in a clearing status, and four designated "disrupt"
status."
In November 206, the Second Brigade Team, part of the U.S. Army's 1st
Infantry Division, assumed responsibility for a 93-square kilometer area
in northwest Baghdad. The combat team, part of Multinational Division
Baghdad, targeted Al Qaida and Iranian-sponsored Shi'ite insurgents while
helping with reconstruction and reconciliation efforts in an area with more
than one million residents.
"We had to get out into the city, live among the citizens, fight
alongside the Iraqis and deny insurgents, criminals and extremists free
access to the population," Burton said. "The Baghdad security plan, along
with the troop surge, allowed us to do just that, thus increasing our
ability to affect the communities and combine our efforts with those of our
Iraqi partners."
In a briefing on Oct. 12, Burton said Shi'ite and Sunni residents were
volunteering for the Iraqi security forces. He said 1,772 volunteers and
recruits have been fully screened and ready to attend police academy.
Another 500 were scheduled to attend the academy over the next few weeks.
"We have begun to see an increasing number of former Iraqi army officers
coming forward to rejoin the security forces of their nation, and we are
working closely with our Iraqi security forces partners on this issue,"
Burton said.