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In a briefing on Thursday, Petraeus cited a drop in the use of such
Iranian-origin weapons as Explosively-Formed Penetrators, or EFPs. EFPs were
designed to rip through main battle tanks and other armored vehicles.
Petraeus said the decline in Iranian weapons has led to a 60 percent
reduction in violence in Iraq over the last six months. The general said
this has given the military flexibility in deployment, particularly in
operations against Al Qaida.
The U.S. commander also cited a ceasefire declared by the
Iranian-sponsored Mahdi Army, headed by Muqtada Sadr. Petraeus said the
ceasefire has led to a significant reduction in violence in Baghdad's Sadr
City.
"It's hard to tell if that's because there has already been a cessation
of provision of those items, or if there has been direction [from Iran] to
stop," Petraeus said.
The last time Iranians were arrested by the U.S. military on suspicion
of helping
the insurgency in Iraq was in October. Petraeus said this could indicate
that Iran was still involved in the insurgency.
Officials said killings around eastern Baghdad have decreased to a
two-year low. U.S. Col. Wayne Grigsby, commander of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat
Team, said he expected a drop of 400 reported murders in the area in 2007.
"We are beginning to see some signs of normalcy returning to the way of
life here in our battle space," Grigsby said. "We are still in a tough
fight. There are people outside our patrol bases that want to kill us. But
things are getting better."
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