On April 20, Chambliss, one of several Republican senators who returned
from a tour of Iraq in late April, reported increasing concern that Iraq was
not ready to assume security responsibility in wake of a U.S. withdrawal.
The Republican from Georgia said the administration has also been examining
options, Middle East Newsline reported.
"So there are good things that are going on there, but there is
significant concern that remains in Iraq," Chambliss said.
The Defense Department has assessed that security in Iraq would decline
throughout much of 2009. But officials said Baghdad has refused to delay
a U.S. troop withdrawal, particularly the redeployment of the U.S. military
from Iraqi cities on June 30.
"Are we likely to see the ebb and flow of violence as our posture
changes, and as the enemy tries to probe the capabilities of the Iraqi
security forces, or demonstrate that they're still relevant? Yes," Deputy
Assistant Defense Secretary Colin Kahl told The Associated Press. "I think
we are likely to see that. But I don't know that we're anticipating a
substantial increase."
The Pentagon said security in Iraq has significantly increased in Iraq
since 2007. But officials said Al Qaida has launched a suicide bomb campaign
that included daily attacks in such cities as Baghdad and Mosul.
