Thursday, September 07, 2006
U.S. to hand over security forces to Iraq
Security
American forces are scheduled to hand over control of the 130,000 strong Iraqi security forces to the Iraqis on Thursday. The ceremony was supposed to take place last Saturday but was put on hold as the two sides could not agree on wording in the document. PM al-Maliki expects the forces to be in control of most of the country by the end of the year.
COMMENT: While the handover may hasten the withdrawal of American troops, it is unlikely that the Iraqi security forces are fully prepared to take over control. Most are ill equipped and inadequately trained. Questions have also arisen as to whether sectarian loyalties will remain stronger than the obligation to serve the country and her people as a whole. COMMENT ENDS.
