Iraq to take security control of second province

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Media: AFP
Byline: N/A
Date: 19 September 2006

BAGHDAD, Sept 19, 2006 (AFP) - Iraqi forces are to take over security
control of Dhi Qar province from the US-led coalition on Thursday, the
second of Iraq's 18 provinces to be handed over, a US military spokesman
said.

The transfer of the Shiite-majority province based on the southern city of
Nasiriyah was agreed after "all conditions required for the handover were
met," Major General Kurt Cichowski told reporters Tuesday.

The transfer means that Dhi Qar's governor will now enforce security with
provincial police and can call for help from the central government, which
remains in command of army and national police personnel in the province.

The spokesman said the factors taken into consideration in approving the
handover had been the threat level faced by the province, the progress made
in standing up its security forces, the governance of the province and its
relations with coalition forces.

"We feel all these conditions are met and the Iraqi forces can manage the
security in the province," Cichowski said.

Currently, 1,860 Italian and 430 Romanian troops provide security in Dhi
Qar, a relatively peaceful province compared to the main southern city of
Basra or Sunni-majority provinces north and west of the capital.

Cichowski said the coalition troops would "return to the bases and offer
training to the Iraqi forces" after the handover, adopting what he called an
"overwatch" position.

Coalition forces would step in "if there is a bigger problem in the province
and the prime minister (Nuri al-Maliki) requests their help."

Dhi Qar will be the second province where Iraqi forces have taken over
control of security following the handover of Al-Muthanna province by
Australian and British troops on July 13.

Cichowski said "certain incidents" had been reported in Al-Muthanna since
the handover "but the local forces were able to handle them."

The spokesman added that a second Iraqi army division had been transferred
on monday to a new Iraqi joint command headquarters set up earlier this
month.

The transfer of the Iraqi 4th Division follows that of the 8th Division
earlier this month.
 
Back
Top