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Monday, August 9, 2010     INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING

U.S. turns over remaining combat duties to Iraq; 16 die in violent attacks in several cities

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military formally handed over all combat duties to the Baghdad government on Aug. 7. The move was regarded as part of the U.S. plan to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by Aug. 31.

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"Today is an extremely important day as we continue to progress toward turning over full responsibility to the Iraqi security forces," U.S. military commander in Iraq Gen. Raymond Odierno said.

Officials said the Aug. 7 ceremony would further accelerate the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. They said more than 12,000 U.S. combat troops would be pulled out of Iraq over the next three weeks.


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The ceremony was marred by violence in several cities in Iraq and a stalemate in efforts to form a new government. At least 16 people were killed in explosions in Basra, and bloody clashes were also reported in Baghdad and Mosul, Middle East Newsline reported. In Baghdad, at least six police officers were killed.

"The Iraqi security forces have continued to do their job throughout this time and have not been affected at all by the delays in the formation of the government," Odierno said.

The U.S. military has also sought to speed up weapons shipments to Iraq. On Aug. 7, the first 11 of 140 M1A1 main battle tanks arrived by ship to Iraq's Umm Qasr port.

Officials said the remainder of the Abrams MBTs were expected to arrive over the next 17 months. They said the Iraq Army has already prepared 65 MBT crews.

The Iraq Army's 9th Mechanized Division would acquire the Abrams. Officials said the first shipment of tanks would be deployed at the Besmaya Combat Training Center.

"This represents a significant milestone for the Iraqi Army as we approach the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the beginning of Operation New Dawn," U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, head of the U.S. training mission, said. "These tanks will strengthen the Iraqi army's ability to protect the sovereignty of Iraq. And a stable and secure Iraq that can protect itself will be a stabilizing force in the region."



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