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Military Operations, Dec 19, 2005

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Sunday, 18 December 2005
Iraqi Defense Ministry

PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE IRAQI DEFENSE MINISTRY TOPIC: MILITARY OPERATIONS LOCATION: THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ DATE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2005

(Note: Unless otherwise noted, the briefers' remarks are provided through interpreter.)

IRAQI BRIEFER: Peace be upon you. As in last press conferences, I will give you a briefing about the military operations and then the questions.

The number of terrorist attacks during the last seven days is 63 attacks. The effective attacks are seven attacks against the multinational forces, six attacks against the Iraqi security forces -- I mean the Interior and non-Defense forces -- two attacks against civilians, 11 indirect attacks, and six mortar attacks, three attacks by Katyusha rockets, and one unidentified attack.

The operation of national unity is still continuing in Baghdad, to provide security for Baghdad. And you all have noticed the stability which was prevailing in Baghdad during the election days. In addition to that, this indicates that the Iraqi security forces are making progress. And there also been an increased capability of the 9th and 6th Iraqi Brigades. They are working in Baghdad. The capability of the 9th Iraqi Division was enhanced by the coming of the T-72 tanks. And about three brigades of the 6th Army have taken over security responsibility.

There were a number of joint operations conducted by the coalition forces and the Iraqi forces, and these operations have led to secure the Iraqi elections. There were military operations in the west of Iraq, in Kirkuk and in south Baghdad, and specially the military operations in west Iraq and the operation conducted by the Iraqi army with the coalition forces in Tall Afar. These operations have made a great impact on the terrorists, and we have been -- we have captured some leaders of the terrorists.

And this has affected their ability to carry out operations against the Iraqi citizens and the Iraqi forces. The calmness which prevailed in the troubled and hot areas in Iraq has enabled the Iraqi people to cast their votes and increase the confidence the Iraqis have in their security forces. The electoral -- the elections were successful, and we -- even we didn't expect such success.

Operation National Unity is still continuing in Baghdad. During the last week, we killed 12 terrorists during this operation, and we injured three terrorists, and we detained 204, and we have discovered 16 weapon caches.

Operation Sayyid in west Iraq -- the results are one terrorist injured, none killed, and 73 detained. Weapon caches are three.

That's all I have about the results of the operations.

Q (Through interpreter.) Do you have any information about the Saudi officers captured by the border forces in As Samawa?

IRAQI BRIEFER: I didn't -- I don't have any information about this issue, and I didn't hear about this. I am the director of operations, and I hear from some sources, and I don't depend on the media. If I depend on the media, this will be endless for me. We -- I receive my information from the center of national intelligence, and I didn't hear this news. Sorry.

Q (Through interpreter.) Nasar Lawami (sp) from Al-Mada. We know that there is joint operation theater for conducting the military operations, especially in the western area in Iraq. But recently we have -- there have been some contradicting news about these military operations. And are you going to conduct new military operations in the west of Iraq?

IRAQI BRIEFER: Beginning from the operation of Tall Afar, the only person who appears in the press conferences is General Abdul Aziz (sp). That's me. And I always announce the military operations. I announce the beginning and the end of the military operations, and there isn't anyone who appears after me and says something contradictory to my information.

There are some American officials who announce other statements. We, as Iraqis -- the Americans have their own calculations, and they'll have their own assessment. The operation which has started from al Qaim to Al-Bardadi (sp) -- this operation consisted of six phases. Five of these phases are therefore military action, and the last phase was for the reconstruction, like building a checkpoint or establishing a checkpoint.

As for the Americans, they think that the last phase is part of the operation in general. That's why the Americans announced that the operation is still under way.

These operations have ended on the military level. If you read the statements, you will see that no terrorists are killed. But there are some military actions, like establishing checkpoints and security checkpoints. These activities are still being carried out. And that's why I like the media to make sure of this information, because the Iraqi mentality -- the Iraqi military mentality is different from that of the Americans.

Q (Through interpreter.) Mr. Colin Powell said that the withdrawal of the American troops from Iraq would be a catastrophe for the Iraqis. And according to your estimations on the assessment, does this mean that the Iraqi security forces are so deteriorated that the withdrawal of the American armies would be a catastrophe for them?

IRAQI BRIEFER: This is more concerned with -- this is a very good question, and more related to politics than to the military.

Since the first press conference, I told you that I am military and not a politician. And the statement made by Mr. Colin Powell is correct, because you know that the Iraqi army has started from scratch. And now the Iraqi army has a good capability, but it needs support from all kinds of services, like administration, fire support or any other kind of support. That's why the Iraqi army cannot act alone without this support.

And there is a timetable, according to the terrorist challenge.

In addition to that, the readiness of the Iraqi security forces to hand over the security file from the coalition forces. And this timetable is being carried out according to schedule. But there have been some delays.

You know that the Iraqi army has been established from scratch, and it is in a state of war. The Iraqi army is not being established and formed in peaceful conditions. That's why the Iraqi army needs training and special training, and then taking part in the military operations and making up for the losses. And because the Iraqi army is now in the phase of formation, that's why there has been some delay. But this will not make a delay for a long time.

Q (Through interpreter.) But you didn't tell us about the capabilities of the Iraqi army. You told us that the 6th and 9th Brigade army divisions are capable, and they are distinguished from other units.

IRAQI BRIEFER: The level of the Iraqi army without support is something very good, but I think the Iraqi army needs much support.

Q (Through interpreter.) Haider al-Boudi (ph) from Al- Iraqiyah. You designed special security forces during the elections. Will you continue to carry out this plan to provide security in Baghdad and other governorates? My second question about the employees of the Defense Ministry.

IRAQI BRIEFER: There were many security plans worked out by the Defense and Interior Ministry, and these plans were in action before the elections, and now we are going to carry out the security plans in coordination with the coalition forces and the Minister of Interior to provide stability in Baghdad and other governorates.

Q And what about the past employees of the past Defense Ministry?

IRAQI BRIEFER: Now we need officers from the rank of lieutenant to major, and we have checked 3,000 officers. And they will join the new Iraqi army soon.

Q (Through interpreter.) What about the integration of the militias in the --

IRAQI BRIEFER: Could you please repeat your question?

Q (Through interpreter.) Could you please tell us some details about the integration of the militias into the Iraqi armed forces?

IRAQI BRIEFER: Today a new operation started in west and in south Iraq.

Q (Through interpreter.) And will these military operations continue in Iraq, although there was a pledge that these military operations will come to an end before the Cairo conference?

IRAQI BRIEFER: As for the integration of the militias into the Iraqi army, this process needs a political decision, and this decision will be taken by the president or the Ministerial Council or the National Assembly.

As for Operation Moon in west Iraq, the military operation in the Euphrates River Valley is a Sayyid operation. After the end of these military operations, the Iraqi forces should maintain a presence in these areas, like Al-Bardadi (sp), Hadithah, Rawah, Anah, Hit, down to Ramadi.

The presence of these forces to provide security in these areas take different names. Among these names is Bright Moon.

There are some military activities taking part in some areas, but they are not military operations.

Q (Through interpreter.) Do you have any information about what happened this morning in Hurajab (sp)?

There was fierce fighting in this area.

IRAQI BRIEFER: How did you get this information?

Q (Through interpreter.) The residents of this area saw the fighting.

IRAQI BRIEFER: There was an attack on a military checkpoint in -- at Dur, near Abu Chir (sp) -- the checkpoints in Hurajab (sp), Albu-Eitha (sp). And these checkpoints are continuously attacked by gunmen. But we told our soldiers and officers to quickly respond to these attacks, and some cars, with the terrorists inside these cars, come to this area and open fire on these checkpoints, and our forces sometimes kill all the terrorists in the car and capture other cars. This is something very good.

As for any military -- any big military operation in Hurajab (sp), there have been some incidents of drive-by shooting.

Q (Through interpreter.) You said that the 6th Iraqi Division has received the security file in some parts in Baghdad.

IRAQI BRIEFER: The command of the 6th Iraqi Brigade, the 1st and the 2nd Brigade -- the 1st Brigade is responsible for al-Kharq (sp), and with the exception of Dura and Saidiyah -- and the 2nd Brigade is in charge of Rusafa area, like Abimiyah (sp), Ashah (sp), al-Sadr City and the suburbs.

Q (Through interpreter.) Yasim Hamad (sp) from Al-Zura (sp). General Abdul Aziz, could you please tell us about the names of these military operations?

Who gives these operations names like Al-Sayad (ph), (Bright Moon ?). You hear about The Sword, the Scimitar.

IRAQI BRIEFER: I objected to the names of these military operations. People don't like such names like The Sword, the Scimitar. That's why they started giving good names for the operations, like Al-Sayad (ph), The Open Door and The Closed Window, something like that. You know that these decisions should be taken unanimously. Sometimes I take part in designing these plans. And this plan is discussed by a special committee and the discussion is attended by the minister. And after that, the operation is given a name.

Q (Through interpreter.) Does this means that you give official names for these military operations? Is there anybody in charge of giving names to these operations?

IRAQI BRIEFER: No, there isn't anything like that.

Q (Through interpreter.) In the military parade made in Al Muthanna airport, the 6th army division took responsibility. When do you think the Iraqi military will be able to take control of the military situation in Baghdad?

IRAQI BRIEFER: This should be conducted according to a special schedule, and we have some reports coming from us about the readiness of the units. We have the command of the navy, the land forces and the air force and the special forces. We get these reports from these units, and these reports are coordinated by the command. And according to this, we can see how ready is the unit. We have some colors, like red, yellow and green.

Q (Through interpreter.) When all these units are going to come to the green light?

IRAQI BRIEFER: We help these units to overcome the problems. And there is something else.

The Iraqi army is now in the process of being formed. And it is now formed under the shade of military actions and war.

Q (Through interpreter.) What is the total number of the Iraqi army? And what about the kind of weapons of the Iraqi Army?

IRAQI BRIEFER: This is also a political decision. For example, now I have 10 Iraqi army divisions to lead. As for the question of how many military the Iraqi army will have in the future, I can't answer this question. But we would like the Iraqi army to take control of the full security situation. If 10 divisions are enough for this purpose, this is something good. If they need more, we are going to form new divisions. If we feel that the number of the Iraqi military is too much, we're going to -- as for the equipment, we have plenty of arms. But we need a system of support. And now we get our support from the multinational forces.

If you ask me about the air force, for example, the air force is available. I, as a commander in the Iraqi army, I can tell you that I have F-15, F-16 in addition to the Apache.

In the future, we are going to provide support for this army because no army can survive without support.

Q (Through interpreter.) Do you think that the number of the Iraqi military is not enough to provide security?

IRAQI BRIEFER: For the time being, the Iraqi security forces are doing their best to provide security across Iraq, and I think that they have made good progress. The security situation has continuously improved but needs time, because security is not separated from politics. The elections have passed peacefully, and we hope that different Iraqi groups will take part in the Parliament and they will all contribute to building the future of Iraq. If we could strike such a balance in the National Assembly, at that point we can say that the operation -- the security has provided.

Thank you very much.

END.