BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has reported security in key neighborhoods of Baghdad has
improved over the last two months. Officials announced a drop in casualties as
well as increased cooperation from residents.
"From where I'm sitting, things are starting to look pretty good," said
U.S. Army Col. John Castles, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd
Airborne Division. "Overall throughout the area of operations, the security
situation has been improving."
Also In This Edition
In an Aug. 11 briefing, Castles said attacks against coalition force
members and Iraqi civilians have decreased. Castles' unit of 4,000 troops,
which arrived in February 2007, has been responsible for operations
in Baghdad's Adhamiyah and Sadr City areas.
"We've seen a steady trend downward of attacks," Castles said.
In May 2007, Castles said, his unit's area of responsibility underwent
60 mortar or rocket attacks. Those attacks dropped to about
40 in July.
Adhamiyah is a Sunni area in eastern Baghdad and an Al Qaida
stronghold. Sadr City is a Shi'ite neighborhood aligned with Iran. The two
areas total 3.5 million people and have witnessed a reduction in car bombs,
abductions and sectarian killings.
Castles said Iraqi soldiers and police have often take the lead in
operations. He said his brigade was on alert to support Iraqi troops.
"They [Iraqis] have done an outstanding job," Castles said. "They are
not just waiting for us to solve their problems for them. While there's
still a lot
that needs to be done, there's no question there's progress being made."
