World

Iraqi forces limit US operations in cities

by albertacowpoke | July 21, 2009 at 03:14 am

115 views | 50 Recommendations | 10 comments

The Iraqi military has turned down several requests from the American military to move freely and unescorted in Baghdad. 130,000 U.S. troops remain in rural posts in Iraq.

U.S. troops withdrew from urban areas on June 30th. The move was made under a security agreement with Iraq, that requires all U.S.troops to be out of Iraq by 2011.

Colonel Ali Fadhil, a Brigade Commander in Baghdad, said the transition went smoothly. He said the violence in Baghdad has dropped sharply, a marked improvement over the sectarian violence that swept the country for years.

U.S. troops are permitted to move freely in rural areas and can conduct raids unescorted. In Basra, a former British post, they have also freedom of movement and authority to fire.

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi military has turned down requests from American forces to move unescorted through Baghdad and conduct a raid since the transition of responsibility for urban security at the end of last month, an Iraqi military commander said Monday.

U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban areas on June 30 under a security agreement with Iraq that requires all U.S. troops to be out of the country by the end of 2011.

Col. Ali Fadhil, a brigade commander in Baghdad, said the transfer had occurred with minor friction in the capital where violence has dropped dramatically since the sectarian bloodletting and insurgent attacks that swept much of the country in past years.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Paschen

at 04:57 on July 21st, 2009

It seems Iraq is showing some teeth.

Iraq and Iran will be most likely allies in the near future, a some what ironic twist that Sadam feared most and the US never expected possible.

albertacowpoke

at 05:16 on July 21st, 2009

The fact that the US is increasing it's Army by 22,000 seems like they don.t have the intention to leave Iraq in the near future, or even reduce the troop level.

Spydermonkey

at 07:30 on July 21st, 2009

If I look to US history of similar situations (Japan, Germany come to mind), the US is likely to still have a presence in Iraq for a couple of decades :(

Unless washington gets a kick in the a## from voters to close it down.

albertacowpoke

at 07:32 on July 21st, 2009

That's my take on it, unless the Iraqi government insists that US forces leave in 2011.

tallison

at 08:59 on July 21st, 2009

Right place for U.S military is city not towns. It will create a semblance and feeling of freedom among the substantial chunk of populace.

albertacowpoke

at 09:14 on July 21st, 2009

Thanks you for your comment tallison.

158

at 10:12 on July 21st, 2009

At some point Iraq must take on all defense unless Obama is willing to break his promise tro withdraw.,

albertacowpoke

at 10:17 on July 21st, 2009

They seem to have the will to do that.

158

at 12:42 on July 21st, 2009

Will, yes.

Ability, I am not so sure.

albertacowpoke

at 13:06 on July 21st, 2009

There are certainly a lot of obstacles in the way. Ethnic strife is one of them, Iranian influence the other.

One consideration, as well, is the possibility of the US getting involved with Iran. Would they really want to move their troops out of Iraq when Iran is next door.