Tuesday, September 05, 2006
U.S. - Iraqi security handover in next few days
Security
The handover of security from the U.S. to Iraq is likely to go ahead at the end of this week or next week according to an Iraqi government spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh. he said both sides have now agreed on key issues. Under the timetable, every two weeks command of Iraqi units meeting certain criteria would be transferred until, by April 1, Iraqi troops in even the Sunni strongholds of Ramadi and Falluja would no longer be under US command, Mr Dabbagh said. In parallel with this, control of security is being handed over province by province to Iraqi leaders, a process Mr Dabbagh said would largely be complete this year, requiring US forces then to receive approval for any movements across the country. The handover was to be signed at a ceremony last Saturday but fell through due to both sides disagreeing on key issues.
COMMENT: The handover will enable the coalition to begin withdrawing, however it is unlikely that the Iraqi security forces are ready to deal with the violence and instability. The problem lies not only with insurgents, but with criminal elements and Saddam loyalists. There is a possibility that the tribes will rise up and Shia militias are fighting eachother for supremacy, particularly in the south. Add to this the instability in the north with Kurdistan wanting succession and the Sunnis, Christians and Turkmen in Kirkuk opposing that move. COMMENT ENDS.
