BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has drafted plans for a withdrawal from
Shi'ite cities in Iraq.
Officials said U.S. troops would leave several major Shi'ite provinces
in central Iraq over the next few months. They said the military would relay
security responsibility to the Iraq Army, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We will provide just training assistance and quick reaction," a senior
U.S. official said.
In a background briefing on Saturday, the official said the formation of
a government in Baghdad activated U.S. withdrawal plans. The official said
the U.S. military, with about 130,000 troops in Iraq, would begin the
pullout from central Iraq over the next few weeks.
By September, the official said, the U.S. military plans to transfer
security responsibility to the Iraq Army for the provinces of Najaf and
Karbala. About two months later, Iraqi authorities would be responsible for
security in Babil.
Security responsibility for Baghdad would continue to be shared by U.S.
and Iraqi troops, the official said. He indicated that the arrangement would
last through 2007.
"We're not close to being ready, but we're making good progress," the
official said.
Officials said the U.S.-led coalition has pressed for coordination with
the Iraqi military and police. Since March 2006, they said, operations have
been coordinated through the Baghdad Joint Coordination Center in an effort
to reduce unauthorized raids and friendly fire.
"We're operating together in eight combined areas in Baghdad," the
official said. "This didn't happen before."
Officials said Baghdad would become a key area for security development.
Over the next few weeks, the Iraq Army's 9th Division would begin
operations.
The 6th Division has already been deemed operational. In August,
the 8th Division would begin operations in the south, officials said.
"I've seen a willingness in this new government to get going," the
official said. "The people want and expect that."
Earlier, Col. Michael Beech, commander of the U.S. Army 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, said an increasing number of Iraqi police was working
with U.S. soldiers to secure southern Baghdad. Beech's brigade has worked
with about 2,000 Iraq soldiers and police to maintain responsibility for
security in central and southern Baghdad.
"We refocused our efforts — both the Iraqi security forces' and the
U.S. forces' — in this area," Beech said. "I think what we're doing is
right on target, and we're going to continue to employ those techniques, as
well as incorporate some others to make sure that we can bring those attacks
on the population down even further."
