By DemocracyRules
From: American Forces Press Service
By Gerry J. Gilmore
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2008 - From Mosul in the north to Basra in the south, insurgent-committed violence in Iraq continues to decrease as stability visibly increases, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today.
"For 10 of the last 11 weeks, we've sustained less than 200 attacks per week nationwide," Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, told Pentagon reporters.
Attacks in Iraq had once reached more than 1,500 a week a few years ago during the zenith of insurgent-committed violence...
"We're making progress in each of these areas every day," Austin said. "And, while these efforts are progressing at a different pace, they all are moving forward in a positive and tangible manner..."
"In the north, al-Qaida is in disarray, and its capability to conduct well-planned and -coordinated attacks is limited, but they still pose a real threat to the population," Austin said. "And, a couple of weeks ago, I walked through an open market in Mosul that was several kilometers long, and it was overflowing with Iraqis.
"Now, that's something that would not have been possible just a couple of months ago, and this is a clear sign that we are making progress..."
Life is steadily returning to normal in Baghdad, Austin said, as violence continues to decrease in the Iraqi capital city. Al-Qaida has been "largely pushed out" of Baghdad, he observed, noting the city is experiencing 83 percent fewer attacks than was seen this time last year.
Security has also improved in Basra and Amarah in southern Iraq, Austin said. Iraqi security forces have been successful in fighting and isolating the Iranian-trained "special groups" anti-government militia in those southern cities.
"As a result of the improved security in places like Basra and Amarah, we're seeing fewer numbers of lethal accelerants making their way into Baghdad," Austinsaid. "Today, these militias are largely disrupted and ineffective because of Iraqi operations and because the people have turned against them."
Austin said he believes the Iraqis will triumph over the insurgents and terrorists, because the Iraqi security forces are improving and because the people of Iraq have trust in their security forces.
The three-star U.S. general also said he is "absolutely impressed with the commitment and the professionalism of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines" serving in Iraq, as well as the contributions of America's coalition partners... "There's still much work to be done, but we're making steady progress every day."
Comments