BRIEFING WITH BRIGADIER GENERAL DONALD ALSTON (USAF), DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ
Multi-National Force-Iraq
BRIEFING WITH BRIGADIER GENERAL DONALD ALSTON (USAF), DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ LOCATION: THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2006
GEN. ALSTON: Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for being here.
I'd like to take a few minutes today to talk to you about coalition operations and how the success of those operations is being increased due to the great people of Iraq, as well as what the casualty trends from the past few months tell us about al Qaeda.
First chart, please.
As Iraq continues its dramatic and truly life-altering shift from tyranny to democracy, Iraqi security forces, in concert with coalition forces, continue to conduct operations to eliminate al Qaeda from Iraq and to defeat the insurgency. Across Iraq this week, coalition and security forces conducted 443 operations, averaging about 60 a day. Two-thirds of these operations were either independent Iraqi security forces operations or combined operations, and approximately 150 of those total operations were coalition-only. These numbers showcase yet again how much the Iraq security forces are taking the lead in this fight against the insurgency and helping to cement democracy across Iraq. As you can see on the chart, 320 anti-Iraqi-force individuals were detained along with 11 foreign nationals. While foreign fighters make up a relatively small percentage of the insurgency, they are responsible for more than 90 percent of the mass casualty, producing suicide attacks that are carried out against the people of Iraq. It should come as no surprise, as these foreign fighters are led by Osama bin Laden, a Saudi; Zawahiri, an Egyptian; and Zarqawi, a Jordanian, all different foreigners who have a common goal, and that is to -- they have a common purpose of disrupting the lives of innocent Iraqis and they will stop at nothing to achieve their vision of a caliphate in Iraq.
Our fight against them continues and we do so with more assistance every day from the people of Iraq. In December of 2004, approximately 400 tips a month were provided by the Iraqi population to coalition and Iraqi security forces. As of December 2005, that number had grown to more than 4,700 tips provided in a month. In fact, the people of Iraq in the year 2005 provided more than 30,000 tips to Iraqi security and coalition forces. Now, a majority of Iraqi security and coalition operations are intelligence-led operations based on tips provided by the citizens of Iraq who are taking a stand and letting their security forces know, through their help, that they have had enough.
Allow me to showcase for you the outcome of two such tips. Next chart, please.
Acting on a tip from a local citizen, an IED-making facility -- on an IED-making facility, Iraqi security and coalition forces conducted operations north of Karbala and successfully turned up a suspected IED-production facility. Through a raid of the facility, forces were able to detain an individual with items that could be used to build or detonate an IED. Operation Joint Venture, which took place on the 28th of January, resulted in forces finding munitions, explosive devices and detonating devices all designed to create IEDs, which can then be used to kill innocent Iraqi civilians, coalition and Iraqi security forces.
Acting on another tip here in Baghdad, coalition forces were moving to the house of a suspected kidnaping cell leader when they unfortunately came across the decapitated bodies of three Iraqis on a soccer field. The patrol notified Iraqi authorities, who later removed the bodies. Coalition forces continued to the house and detained the suspected criminal who lives just north of the soccer field. In the house they found a pistol, a sniper rifle, improvised explosive device batteries, timers and circuit boards. The patrol then set up a coordinated search of the other houses in the area and detained three additional suspects when they found four 155 mm rounds, two with cell phones attached and rigged for detonation; numerous IED trigger devices; one AK-47 and anti-Iraqi force literature. Next chart, please.
This chart displays the number of casualties -- people killed or injured by month -- and delineates how many days had below 50 casualties, shown in blue; or how many days they had more than 100 casualties, shown in yellow. Our numbers tallied for January so far tell us that there were only two days that had greater than 100 casualties and, more importantly, 19 days with fewer than 50. Overall, casualties in January in Iraq were the lowest since March of 2005.
More Iraqi security forces patrolling the streets of Iraq and constant targeting of the bomb makers, weapons and logistical systems necessary to commit mass casualty attacks are all reasons why we have seen this decrease in casualties. In fact, November, December and January's monthly casualty totals are 1,000 or more casualties, fewer than October and nearly half of what we had in the month of May.
In addition to improved vehicle and body armor, another reason for the decreased casualties has been our success at finding and clearing IEDs. Many IEDs are being implaced hastily by insurgents aiming to avoid capture. Citizens of Iraq are providing more tips. So today, more than 40 percent -- 40 percent -- of all IEDs implaced are now found and cleared by Iraqi security or coalition forces. Every IED found and cleared is one less IED that could potentially hurt or kill an innocent man, woman or child.
Next chart, please.
I'd like to zoom in a little more -- on a little more detail on casualties in Iraq for you. This chart shows the true character of the enemy. They have no regard for the people of Iraq or its future. On average, 50 percent of all casualties in Iraq are Iraqi civilians and another 25 percent are Iraqi security forces. And the innocent men, women and children of Iraq continue to be targets of al Qaeda in Iraq and the insurgency. Targeting civilians continued with recent attacks on six churches in Baghdad and Kirkuk -- on Christian churches -- and even an attack on a candy store that killed 10 people and injured even more.
These attacks seemed to fall right in line with al Qaeda's strategy for Iraq. I've often talked about al Qaeda's goal of establishing a caliphate state in Iraq in order to use it as a bridgehead to become the dominate influencing power throughout the region. This strategy was clearly outlined in a letter from bin Laden's deputy Zawahiri to Zarqawi that was intercepted by U.S. officials last fall. In addition to the vision outlined in the letter, specific goals were set for al Qaeda, which included having al Qaeda fill the void when coalition forces depart the region.
One of the ways that al Qaeda aims to create a void to fill in, as the coalition forces depart, is through the escalation of sectarian strife. They need the Iraqi people fearing one another and fighting one another in order to succeed. In other words, democracy, security and stability in Iraq are a recipe for disaster for al Qaeda, but it also is the ingredients for success for the Iraqi people.
Al Qaeda's plans include the occupation of Iraq. Al Qaeda's top planners are foreigners: bin Laden, Zawahiri, Zarqawi. None of them have the interests of the Iraqi people or their future at heart. They paint a vivid picture of oppression, fear, suffering for the future of Iraq with each horrific attack against mothers, fathers, sons and daughters of Iraq.
In September, Zarqawi issued a public statement in which he declared all-out war against the rejectionist Shi'a everywhere in Iraq. He qualified that statement a few days later, which provided guidance on which groups or individuals to target and which would be exempt, but the precedent had been set to attack the Shi'a in Iraq. Additionally, al Qaeda in Iraq statements cast the Shi'a as a group that collaborates with foreign powers against the Sunni. Again, Zarqawi is trying to create a situation where Shi'a retaliate and/or blame the Sunnis for the attacks in hopes that the Sunnis will then rally to Zarqawi's cause.
So far, it isn't going well for Zarqawi.
We continue to take apart his network, and the people of Iraq have had enough of his violence as well, taking up positions against him in Al Anbar and other parts of Iraq and continuing to provide us with actionable tips. As Iraq awaits the results, the certified results, of the election to form its constitutionally based government, Zarqawi has stepped up attacks against Shi'a. The suicide vest attack against a crowd of worshipers at a holy shrine in Karbala, which killed at least 50 and wounded more than 70 other innocent Iraqis last month, had all the elements of a Zarqawi attack.
As the people of Iraq recognize Ashura, we fully expect Zarqawi to try and use it as an opportunity to attack large gatherings of Shi'a and use it -- as it has been a target of Zarqawi in the past. His goal in all of this is create sectarian strife that can he can feed upon to grow strong in Iraq once again, but it hasn't worked, and it won't work. Iraqis have resoundingly said "no more" to his violent ways as demonstrations have shown in Samarra and elsewhere.
The Iraqi security forces now number more than 227,000. They, along with coalition forces, continue to put constant pressure on Zarqawi and his network in Iraq. The Shi'a are not being baited into a conflict with the Sunni, their fellow Iraqis. They know that the true enemy of the people of Iraq is al Qaeda in Iraq and the three foreigners who attempt to forge the future of their country into one of despair.
The march towards democracy is in full stride in Iraq, and beneath its boots, al Qaeda's trampled more and more each day.
In closing, I would like to say thank you. This will be my last press conference as a member of Multinational Force Iraq.
Before going, I would like to say what an honor and privilege it has been working with each of you as well as the other dedicated and courageous people of Iraq that I have come to know in my time here. You have all persevered through great challenges and you will forever have my utmost respect and admiration.
And with that, I would be more than happy to take any questions you might have.
Yes, ma'am? Q (Through interpreter.) Asa Fulmusa (ph) from Al Iraq Al Hurra (sp). One of the Danish newspapers published some caricatures desecrating the religious values of Islam. Will this be reflected on you because the insurgents will target you because of these caricatures?
GEN. ALSTON: I missed the beginning of that, so let me rephrase that. Are you talking about the cartoon that showed up in Danish media?
Q (Through interpreter.) Yes.
GEN. ALSTON: We fully appreciate the sensitivity of this important matter. We have, through our partnership with people of Iraq and the government of Iraq, over our time working together -- has been one which has shown great mutual respect and mutual trust. That relationship continues to grow closer every day, and so we have great respect for the people of Iraq and we understand the sensitivities.
And no, I don't anticipate that this particular act would be -- it is one where -- that I would hope people would understand the sensitivities of the issue and that people would act accordingly with the appropriate sensitivities and respect.
Next question. Yes, sir.
Q (Through interpreter.) Salim Hasni (ph) from Digila (ph) Radio. How do you comment on the operations which have been conducted by the multinational operations and the Iraqi forces in a southern city during last week? And they detained a number of people there and set their houses on fire.
GEN. ALSTON: The operation last week in Sadr City that you are referring to was an intelligence-based raid on a particular individual. It was a coordinated raid in order to act on this intelligence to -- in an effort to find those individuals that are the enemy of Iraq. Those individuals that are able to conduct attacks against the people of Iraq and this raid was an effort to take another one of those people off the streets and to deny them the opportunity to cause mayhem.
And so this attack was an effort to act as rapidly as possible on intelligence that had been developed. And when we conduct those attacks, it is with the understanding that we do our best with the Iraqi security forces, to reduce the risk, as much as possible, to any innocent civilians that would be in the area. In this particular case, individuals began engaging coalition forces and the coalition forces returned fire.
Yes, ma'am. Q (Through interpreter.) Zael Bakle (ph) from Attarhi (ph). A few days ago, there have been some raids in Ad Dawr city and these raids resulted in detaining many foreign nationals. Could you please tell us more about this operation?
GEN. ALSTON: I don't have specific information about that particular raid. I will tell you that we have had -- we have captured and detained a number of foreign fighters throughout the last several weeks. And so, you know, where we can find those and where we can act on actionable intelligence, we're going to act as quickly as we can in coordination with the Iraqi security forces in order to take those suspicious individuals who would be here to cause attacks in Iraq to get them off the street, to reduce the violence and further protect the citizens of Iraq.
Yes, sir.
Q (Through interpreter.) Duel Ibrahim (ph) from Reuters. Is there any plan for the coalition forces to reduce the coalition forces by the end of 2006?
GEN. ALSTON: Reductions in coalition forces, such as the reductions that were announced back in December where we said, in cooperation with the Iraqi government, that we would reduce our size from 17 brigades to 15, will be possible in the future, depending upon the conditions that are on the ground.
The development of the Iraqi security forces is on track. We are encouraged by their performance in the field; their training and their equipping is on track. The partnerships that we have between units as well as the teams that we have embedded with Iraqi security forces are giving us a clear picture of the readiness of Iraqi security forces. In those areas where those security forces are achieving levels of capability that would enable them to take the lead in operations, they are being given the lead in operations.
In those areas where they are even more advanced, so that they could own battle space and be responsible for planning and for achieving security in areas of attack, those units are taking on that responsibility. Just last week we had -- in fact, over the last few weeks we have turned over two forward -- one forward operating base here in Baghdad, which reduced the coalition footprint, we say, in Baghdad. A portion of Mosul was turned over to Iraqi security forces who own that battle space. And near Diwaniyah, we had a ceremony that honored the moment where the Iraqi security forces took over a large portion -- took over the battle space and being principally responsible for security and a large portion of geography in southeast Iraq.
So we are seeing that progress daily. We continue to see the development of the ministries that we'll need to sustain these forces in the field. So I think that if we continue to see the trends that we are seeing now, we will be in a position with the cooperation of the Iraqi government where the leaders will be given the opportunity to decide just when and how much further reductions might be possible.
Yes, sir.
Q (Through interpreter.) Shafir Akdi Jabar (ph) from Al- Sharqiya.
There are a number of leaders of Sunni parties who blame the Americans for cooperating with the Interior Ministry in detentions that took place in Sunni governorates. How do you comment on that?
GEN. ALSTON: Our partnership with the security ministries: The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense has enabled a great deal of progress through the development of all Iraqi security forces and for the conduct of successful operations throughout the country.
We have a shared concern that the transparency of operations is important to the people of Iraq. The confidence that the Iraqi people have in their Iraqi security forces we find growing, particularly out west where the Iraqi Army throughout the fall was deployed in posts and are essentially a permanent presence throughout the Euphrates River Valley. And because they are there in those areas, there is a bond of trust that is growing between the army and the civilians in those areas, which is leading to additional tips and helping further expose the enemies of Iraq in those particular areas.
It is important that these relationships and the conduct of forces continues to build trust with the Iraqi people, and all those opportunities to build trust, you know, further encourage the development of the institution of the police and the development of the institution of the army. And we see that the development of those institutions is something that we're focused on. It means a great deal to us, the coalition, and for the future of Iraq; it is understood in both the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defense just how important that development of trust is.
So you know, we are seeing progress in the performance of the troops and we are seeing -- and the leadership of those institutions and the coalition continue to focus on building that -- gaining that trust of all Iraqi people. You know, the more that the Iraqi people see that the Iraqi security forces are there to protect all Iraqis, that's going to cement that trust between the people and the Iraqi security forces.
If there is doubt and there is a lack of trust then that, you know, then we don't move forward as rapidly as we can. So I think the leaders all understand just how important that trust is, and the performance of their forces needs to continue to contribute to building that trust.
Yes, sir.
Q (Through interpreter.) Hidali Hashami (ph) from the National Council of Iraqi Journalism.
Yesterday the Muslim Scholars Association and the Sunni parties condemned the explosions in a Sunni mosque. (Technical difficulties.)
Yesterday the Iraqi Islamic Party and the Muslim -- (technical difficulties).
Yesterday the Muslim Scholars Association and the Iraqi Islamic Party condemned the explosion which took place in a Sunni mosque.
GEN. ALSTON: Okay, all I got was that there was a condemnation of an explosion in a Sunni mosque. MR. : Okay, he's going to repeat. He's going to repeat the question, sir.
Q (Through interpreter.) Yesterday the Sunni parties condemned the killing of civilians who came out of a Sunni mosque. This escalation was made against the police and the army. How are you planning to contain this crisis?
GEN. ALSTON: I'm not familiar with the event. Could you give me more detail on what happened? What happened at the mosque?
Q The worshipers came out of a mosque and they shot them and -- they came out of the mosque. (Technical difficulties.)
GEN. ALSTON: His gear is not working all the time. He's fading in and out and in and out. Can someone come up here and translate? That would be great. Can you help me with this question?
I can tell you that I don't know the specifics of that particular case, but I think that this is the kind of example that you present here that I think the -- this would play into the hands of someone like Zarqawi, that there could be a breakdown in trust where Sunni would accuse Shi'a and Shi'a would accuse Sunni. This effort to try to foment sectarian violence and try to bring these two Iraqi -- Sunni and Shi'a against each other is something we have all seen for a period of time here.
The restraint that has been shown by both groups to try to -- with their leadership publicly discussing these particular issues is -- it's important to have that dialogue, but it's important to build trust as well. So it is one thing to talk and it's another thing to sit down and show transparency of actions to maintain trust with the people. So you know, is the root cause of this the challenge to trust that has been inspired by the likes of Zarqawi? I can't answer that. I don't know the answer to that particular question. But I can't speak specifically about this.
And I'll take the next question.
Q (Off mike.)
GEN. ALSTON: That was not the intention of that. We in partnership with the coalition have assisted the Iraqi people achieve so much with democracy. The vote last January 30th was inspirational, not just for Iraq and Iraqis but for the region and for the world. The steps that Iraq took all last year -- writing a constitution, voting on the constitutional referendum with more people than who voted in the election, and then finally with the culmination of the election of the permanent government in December. The Iraqi people have clearly made a choice towards democracy, and the coalition is proud to be part of that effort and proud of the courage of the Iraqi people to step up and embrace this democracy. Throughout the course of the year, that has forced those who do not want democracy to flourish in Iraq to harden themselves and attack the Iraqi people to try to derail that process. And they have failed over and over and over again to derail Iraqis from the future that they have chosen. There is much hard work to be done. The coalition is partnered and continues to be partnered with the Iraqi people in order to help the Iraqi people continue on this future of democracy.
Much needs to be done in economics. Much needs to be done as the government forms and a government of national unity begins to lead the country for the next four years. The leadership of the governors and the leadership of the councils and the provinces and the local leadership all focused on trying to use the democratic process in order to achieve a better future for Iraqis is under way here. And it is under way in all 18 provinces of Iraq. So this movement forward continues to be inspiring, but we recognize the challenges ahead. And this is certainly a set of problems that Iraqis will lead the charge in order to overcome so many of these challenges that are faced by the Iraqis people, but they won't do it alone. There will be support from the coalition as we continue to better secure the country and reduce the violence. And donor nations will continue to participate in those things that will result in the future rebuilding of Iraq.
So you know, I'm an optimistic person. I see a very bright future ahead as I leave Iraq. And it has been such a privilege to be here this year to see the progress that has been made, but so much more progress is in front. So much more of the challenge needs to be overcome. But Iraq will have many friends that will help them as they take responsibility, take charge and lay the foundation for a brighter future in Iraq.
Yes, sir.
Q (Through interpreter.) I'm sorry, I'll speak English.
GEN. ALSTON: Okay.
Q My name is Sunan Adel (ph). I'm from Ashur Sudara (ph) Channel.
GEN. ALSTON: Yes.
Q As you said, sir, the Iraqi forces are developed now. So why they cannot control the attacks of insurgents like what happened to the church or Sunni and Shi'a mosques? They kill whoever they want to kill and they kidnap everyone who they want to kidnap. So when they can control that? You got the idea?
GEN. ALSTON: I do. I do have the idea.
You know, if I look at a certain set of indications, I see the trends from September when the Iraqi security forces, or the Iraqi Army specifically, went up to Tall Afar and the successful operations that 11 Iraqi battalions conducted with the support of (three ?) coalition battalions. They were the largest force there. They performed magnificently in that operation and we started to see a decrease in the impact of the Iraqi security forces coming from Syria into Tall Afar, Mosul and sometimes would even find their way to Baghdad.
Following that operation, further operations continued out west all the way to the border to Al Qaim and Husaybah. And then Iraqi security forces were left behind to hold that land that had been cleared by the Iraqi security forces and the coalition. The Department of Border Enforcement has arrayed their forces on the border and we have had together great success. And we have seen -- you have seen the decrease in the number of suicide bombers coming into Baghdad and you have seen the decrease in those horrific mass casualty producing attacks.
So we have both witnessed great reduction in violence in Iraq. There's still much work to be done and the ability that -- a very determined enemy, an enemy that has been disrupted, an enemy that sees democracy taking hold in Iraq and sees their view of an Iraq that is an Islamic caliphate, sees that future not in the eyes and the hearts of Iraqis, that they are in a position where they have to strike out and try to legitimize their cause.
And so against the progress that has been made, they will try to hold their resources, choose the timing where the people of Iraq would be vulnerable and conduct these attacks to cause spectacular effects if they can. So we depend on the Iraqi people seeing something out of the ordinary and telling Iraqi security forces or coalition of that piece of information that can help us preclude an attack from happening. But this is a large country -- and with 26 million people and only a small percent of 26 million people that are against the future that most Iraqis have chosen, that these small numbers can still cause these effects.
So have we seen progress? Absolutely. We have seen great progress. Has it reduced violence? Yes, it has reduced violence. We still have most of the attacks in just four provinces in Iraq, but more work to be done. Continue to depend on the Iraqi people to help with that, and when we have these individual events, we learn what we can do try to enable us to prevent the next attack. But I think you're going to see violence and attack -- violence in Iraq for some time and there will be no time in the coming weeks where the Iraqi security forces or the coalition could stand up and say there will be no more attacks.
This is a determined enemy. They do have enough capabilities still to hurt innocent Iraqis and the Iraqi security forces and the coalition. But I do see great progress. But it's going to take time before we can get the situation -- get the violence down to the levels that you or your colleagues wouldn't ask me a question like that. It's going to be a challenge for some time. Yes -- are there any other questions?
Again, thank you so much. I've appreciated our relationship and I wish you all the very best, and I will think of you often.
Thank you.
END.
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