The U.S. Defense Department said Iraqi security forces have enhanced protection of oil facilities in northern Iraq. A Pentagon report cited cooperation between Iraqi and U.S. troops to guard a key pipeline designed to export oil to neighboring Turkey, Middle East Newsline reported.

div align="right"> "The establishment of Strategic Infrastructure Battalions [SIBs] has improved oil infrastructure security between Kirkuk and Bayji by providing some security presence along the pipeline, deterring criminals and saboteurs seeking easy targets," the report, entitled "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq," said.

"With the introduction of SIB partnership arrangements with coalition and Iraqi Army Forces, the capability of the SIBs has improved significantly."

The Pentagon reported one attack on oil infrastructure in northern Iraq since the partnership between the Iraq Army's 4th Division and the 1st Brigade SIB in February 2006. The report stressed the need for additional measures, including rapid-response and repair teams as well as hardening infrastructure.