Iraqi Army Withdraws From Fallujah

[unhappycamper]

Iraqi Army Withdraws From Fallujah
Marine Corps News | By Pfc. Brian Jones | September 05, 2007


FALLUJAH -- The last battalion of Iraqi soldiers with 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, withdrew from the Anbar Province city of Fallujah, Sept. 1, leaving the city’s security and stability in the hands of the local police and government.

Brig. Gen. Ali al-Hashemi, the brigade’s commander, said the time had come when Iraqi Police alone could handle law enforcement in the city.

“I am very confident in the IPs keeping the city safe. Besides, it is their job to work to keep the city safe,” al-Hashemi said through an interpreter. “It’s not the IA’s job. The army should not be inside the city. The police should be in the city.”

Lt. Col. Daniel T. Thoele, the operations advisor for 2nd Brigade Military Transition Team with Regimental Combat Team 6, spoke well of the departing unit.

“The 2nd Brigade has been phenomenal,” said Thoele. “I think today is a historical event because of not only the success of the IA, but the IA working closely with the Iraqi police.”

Initially the IA provided security over the city to give the fledgling police force time and breathing space to develop. Now with a strong force, the locals trust the IPs and are cooperating with counterinsurgent activities.


The rest of the good news at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,148221,00.html


uhc comment: Happy Days are here again. . . :sarcasm:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. er, this is the same police force that General Jones suggests be disbanded, no?

boy, that sounds reall promising.

[Donkeykick]

2. Indeed.

and so now the realtest begins, does it not?