U.S. Hands Najaf Province Over to Iraqi Forces

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. Hands Najaf Province Over to Iraqi Forces
By MARC SANTORA
Published: December 20, 2006

NAJAF, Iraq, Dec. 20 — They slit the rabbit’s belly, ripped it open and feasted on the still beating heart. The commandos of the Iraqi army were celebrating on Wednesday after the Americans had handed over control of Najaf province.

More than three years after the invasion, and two years after American forces put down a revolt by the militia of Moktada al-Sadr here, Najaf became the first province under American control to be handed over to the Iraqis. It is the third province in the country to have power transferred, the previous two having been under British control.

Even as a debate continues in Washington about what should be done to help pacify much of the country, especially Baghdad, coalition forces still say they plan to turn over all of Iraq’s provinces by the end of 2007.

With the transfer, the Iraqi government will get control over its 8th Army Division, which has roughly 10,000 soldiers. Shiite leaders, who control both this province and the national government, have been anxious to get more operational control over the Army, which America has been laboring to train.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/20/world/middleeast/20cnd-najaf.html?hp&ex=1166677200&en=c3057f6ee255592d&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Hardrada]

1. U.S. hands over Quang Tri province to ARVN forces.

Spokesmen in Saigon have great hopes for Vietnamization.

[Nickster]

2. Exactly! n/t

[madrchsod]

3. acid flash back....was that you walter?

[Hardrada]

4. Good night, Dave.

Good night, Chet.

[Lipton64]

5. I guess al-Sadr can rest in peace now....

Of course it is his country after all.....

I don't know exactly what the Shia have in mind in terms of political control but if I were them I would try and sideline this fundy wackjob.

[ajacobson]

6. Operational control?

Translated:

Civil war with bigger weapons.