In a statement on Nov. 30, Zebari said the U.S.-led coalition, known as
the Multinational Force, would ensure continued modernization of the Iraqi
military. The Iraqi military has a force of about 220,000 soldiers, with
another 380,000 assigned to the police and security forces.
"The military aims to build Iraq as a modern country with a strong
economy and good infrastructure," the Iraqi chief of staff said.
The Iraq Air Force has ordered advanced air transports, such as the
C-130J from the U.S. firm Lockheed Martin. The army has ordered M1A1 Abrams
main battle tanks as well as armored personnel carriers.
"We will continue enhancing the capabilities of the army in coordination
with the Multinational Force and the United States during the coming years,"
Zebari said. "The process of modernizing the army in terms of personnel and
equipment is making remarkable progress as all partners offer sincere
cooperation to the Iraqi government."
The chief of staff said Baghdad would launch another major
counter-insurgency drive. He said the government has banned militias,
including those sponsored by Iran.
"The Iraq Army and police forces will do their utmost to crush
insurgents, " Zebari said. "Anyone who carries weapons against the army, the
police, the government and or the citizens will face a harsh response. This
is our bottom line."
Zebari said the Iraqi security forces were gaining strength. He said the
forces would be capable of assuming security responsibility over the entire
Iraq by 2009.
"The cases of law-breakers including the extremists, terrorists,
fundamentalists, Baathists are quite easy for the military," Zebari said.
"The army is expanding its control over the central and southern areas which
had seen militant activities in the last period."
Officials said the U.S. military, in cooperation with the Defense
Department, has accelerated deliveries of the Humvee combat vehicle to the
Iraqi military and police. They said at least 3,000 Humvees have been
transferred to Iraq.
"This partnership demonstrates the cooperation between the U.S.
government and the government of Iraq to train and equip Iraqi security
forces," U.S. Army Col. Michael Sage, assistant chief of staff at
Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, said.
On Nov. 22, Iraqi and U.S. officials marked the transfer of the 3,000th
armored Humvee to Baghdad. The program, which employs 522 Iraqis, began in
March 2008.
"This milestone transfer is part of a program to produce mission-ready
armored Humvees for issue to the Iraqi military and police forces and to
provide on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics," a U.S. military statement
said on Nov. 29.
Officials said the two-year program has included refurbishment of
Humvees for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and the
Counter-Terrorism Bureau. They said the United States has been transferring
about 400 Humvees every month to Iraq.
"The team is set to reach its target of 8,500 Humvees by the end of
2009," the military said.