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View Full Version : U.S. says Iraq forces could control all 18 provinces this year


Regis Philbin
Jan 18th, 2008, 04:30 PM
While the U.S. mainstream media bickers about who said what or who is a racist and who isn't in the U.S. Presidential race, there's some real progress to report in Iraq.

But they'll never report it...


http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1724900020080118?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

U.S. says Iraq forces could control provinces this year

Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:28am EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraq's army and police could be ready to take over security in all 18 provinces by the end of this year as the U.S. military moves toward a less prominent role in the country, U.S. officials said on Thursday.

"We look at it every month. We make recommendations. I think that if we continue along the path we're on now, we'll be able to do that by the end of 2008," Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the No. 2 commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, said when asked when Iraqi forces could take the lead in all provinces.

He said that a joint operation under way led by Iraqi troops and supported by U.S. troops against al Qaeda militants in the northern city of Mosul was a model for the future.

"That's how I see our role frankly in the future here," he told Pentagon reporters via videolink from Baghdad.

Iraqi security forces are now in control of nine provinces after assuming control of Iraqi's southern oil hub, Basra, in December. Iraqi forces are also expected to take control in Anbar province, a one-time insurgent stronghold, as early as March.

ConnieB
Jan 20th, 2008, 12:56 AM
While the U.S. mainstream media bickers about who said what or who is a racist and who isn't in the U.S. Presidential race, there's some real progress to report in Iraq.

But they'll never report it...
That's right people...we are not losing this conflict like some want people to think...there has been forward progress being made for a while now and it's time we recognize that...oh wait, I've already recognize it and tried to post about it, but was shot down because it was press releases, not MSM.

Anyways, I'm glad to read this artilce, it's great news...thank you for posting it Regis.

I also read the other day that combat deaths are down 83% compared to 2006, so we are definitely making progress.

pinky
Jan 20th, 2008, 09:12 AM
It's obvious that progress is being made as a result of the surge. What's not obvious is what will happen when our troop levels are reduced. Unless this progress is permanent, we aren't really winning anything.

I hope I'm proven wrong on this. But I fear that the terrorists are willing to wait as long as it takes to strike again, and a weakened Iraq will might as well paint a huge target on the landscape.