BAGHDAD — Iraq has
completed preparations to acquire control of a leading army division.
Officials said the Iraqi Defense Ministry intends to gain full
responsibility over the Iraq Army's 4th Division, based in northern Iraq.
They said the move, expected over the next few days, would enable the
ministry to directly control the division, which until now has been
commanded by the U.S. military, Middle East Newsline reported.
"It's all about becoming independent and self-sufficient," U.S. Lt. Col.
Michael Negard, a spokesman for Multi-National Security Transition
Command-Iraq, said.
MNSTC-I has been deemed responsible for the training of the Iraqi
military and security forces. Earlier this month, the Iraq Army's 8th
Division was transferred from the control of the U.S.-led coalition to the
Defense
Ministry. The Iraq Army contains about 130,000 soldiers.
On Sept. 7, the coalition transferred operational control of the Iraq
Air Force and Navy to the Iraqi Joint Headquarters, the top military level
of the Iraqi chain of command. At the same time, the Defense Ministry
activated the Iraqi Ground Forces Command, which assumed control of the 8th
Division.
Officials said the 4th Division, under the command of the U.S. Army's
101st Airborne Division, has steadily increased in capability over the last
year. They said the division demonstrated control over security operations
in cities such as Kirkuk, Samara and Tikrit.
So far, six Iraq Army division headquarters, 26 brigade headquarters and
88 battalions have assumed the lead for security operations. Officials said
this reflected nearly 70 percent of the army.
By 2007, officials said, the Iraq Army plans to assume control of all
its divisions. They said each of the divisions would report to the Iraqi
Ground Forces Command.
"It allows the [IGFC] to gradually increase their control, to form plans
from operations to assessments," Negard said.
Officials said the army divisions would still require U.S. support,
particularly in air and logistics. They said coalition has accelerated its
plan to transfer all of Iraq's 18 provinces to government control.
In July, the Al Muthanna province was placed under government control.
The Dhi Qar province was scheduled to come under Iraqi security
responsibility in a ceremony on Sept. 21.
"The coalition's military posture on the ground will remain responsive
and flexible," U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said on
Monday. "As the security situation evolves, coalition forces will maintain
sufficient forces to assist the government of Iraq as they so request."
