WASHINGTON — In what was termed a significant achievement, up to 40
percent of Iraqi security forces have been deemed as combat capable.
The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said
in a report that despite setbacks and an insurgency campaign, Iraq's
military and security forces have achieved significant progress over the
last year, Middle East Newsline reported. The report, authored by senior fellow Anthony Cordesman, said
Iraq's special forces units were deemed the most capable in the armed
forces.
As of mid-June 2005, the report said, about 40 percent of the special
forces police units and 20 percent of army units were rated "capable." The
report said none of the special units were rated "fully capable."
"A long way from a perfect force, but a much longer way from the
strength of a single active battalion in July 2004," the report said.
[On Tuesday, the United States reported the capture of a leading aide to
Al Qaida network chief Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi. The aide was identified as
Abdul Al Aziz, responsible for Baghdad.]
The report, entitled "Can Iraqi Forces Do the Job?" said 40 percent of
the special forces units and 45 percent of army units were rated "partially
capable." Less than 10 percent of the special police units and 20 percent of
army units were rated "incapable."
"Put differently, more than 60 Army/National Guard combat battalions
could already perform some role as 'partially capable' forces, and more than
20 combat battalions were 'capable.'" the report said.
The special police forces includes the Public Order Battalions,
Mechanized Battalions, Special Police Commando Battalions, and Emergency
Response Units. The report said 21 battalions were operational.
The report deemed the Iraqi-created Special Police Commandos a success.
The report said the the 5,000-member commando force won high praise for
their aggressiveness, effectiveness and discipline.
"Mechanized forces were active and expanding," the report said. "Special
operations forces were rapidly reaching a strength of three battalions, and
nearly 2,000 men. These forces were being trained by MNF [coalition] Special
Forces and at elite elements, with many of the same training programs being
used in the West."
Despite the achievements, the report said, the Defense Ministry still
needed to reorganize many of
its forces. In June 2005, the ministry maintained about 130,000 people on
the payroll, substantially more than its organized strength.
"The Iraqi army was beginning to get the mix of combat support, service
support, logistics, and training it needed to operate independently and as a
self-sustaining force," the report said.
