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Wednesday, November 28, 2007       Free Headline Alerts

Iraqi forces now leading most operations

BAGHDAD — The Iraq Army has been increasingly assigned the lead in operations with the U.S. military.

Officials said the Iraq Army have been taking the lead in a majority of counter-insurgency and other operations in most provinces around the country. They said the army was limiting its dependency on the United States to logistics, equipment and training.

"I think they've got the right leadership," U.S. Brig. Gen. James Yarbrough, commander of the Iraqi Assistance Group, said. "They've got the courage to confront their flaws, and I think they show great promise."

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Officials said the army's growth has led to successes against Al Qaida cells in central and northern Iraq. They said Al Qaida commanders in Baghdad, Mosul, Tarmiyah and other areas have been killed or detained in recent counter-insurgency operations.

"This is placing strains at the top, restricting their freedom to maneuver, forcing Al Qaida members to constantly be in a survival mode vice planning their next attack, and has clearly eroded the experience level at the senior levels of Al Qaida's various networks," U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Gregory Smith said on Tuesday.

At a Nov. 25 briefing, Yarbrough said Iraqi security forces were becoming stronger and more effective. He said a record number of Iraqis were being recruited and trained for the military and security forces.

"Progress has not been easy," Yarbrough said. "Innumerable challenges remain. But each day we see continued improvements. This is a long journey, but we're moving forward step-by-step with Iraq."

Officials said units were being formed in the Iraq Army, police and border security department. They said the units were being equipped, trained and operated with U.S. and other coalition forces.

In mid-November, the Iraq Army's 8th Division participated in Operation Lion Pounce in Diwaniya, about 180 kilometers south of Baghdad. The division coordinated with coalition forces and captured 81 insurgents and seized 35 rockets, 124 mortar rounds and rocket-propelled and anti-armor grenades.

Officials said the Iraqi Ground Forces Command now controls 11 army infantry divisions and one mechanized division with a total of more than 160,000 trained troops. In 2007, the army added 27 battalions and 43,000 soldiers.

The Iraq Army plans to add another division in 2008. Officials said thousands of recruits were completing training to join the new unit.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on this increased stability and also exploit this momentum if we can achieve politically and economically what's been achieved in the area of security," Yarbrough said.



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