Officials said U.S. commanders had argued that Iraqi security forces
remained incapable of battling Al Qaida and Saddam Hussein loyalists in
Baghdad and Mosul. They said the dismantling of the 100,000-member
Sunni-dominated Al Sahwa auxiliary police force, formed by the United States
to battle Al Qaida, has also harmed the counter-insurgency campaign.
The U.S. military said April 2009 marked the highest rate of casualties
in Iraq since September 2008. In late April, the military also reported
negotiations with the Iraqi government to extend the withdrawal deadline.
"It's a political decision, not a military one," U.S. commander in Iraq
Gen. Raymond Odierno said.
During a meeting with Iraqi commanders in Mosul, Odierno stressed that
any U.S. military departure from the city would require a closer partnership
with the Iraq Army and security forces. The U.S. general said this would
ensure the continuation of training and reconstruction projects.
Still, the Al Maliki government concluded that Iraqi security forces,
with continued U.S. guidance, were capable of staging CI operations.
Officials said any extension of the redeployment deadline would spark unrest
within the majority Shi'ite community.
"These dates cannot be extended, and they are in keeping with the
process of transitioning and handing over responsibility to Iraqi security
forces, according to what was agreed upon," Al Dabbagh said.
