Coalition Supports Iraq Security Forces During Ramadan Violence
19 October 2006
Spokesman highlights growing numbers, capability among Iraqi army, police
Washington -- Insurgent, terrorist and sectarian attacks continue as Iraq observes Ramadan, but the Iraqi government and its coalition allies remain committed to the mission of building a better future, says the chief spokesman for Multinational Force – Iraq.
“Traditionally this is a time of great celebration; it has, instead, been a period of increased violence,” Army Major General William Caldwell said in an October 19 Baghdad press briefing. “The violence is indeed disheartening.” (See related article.)
Caldwell said the number of attacks has increased 22 percent in Baghdad since the Muslim holy month Ramadan began September 24. Hostile forces continue to target private citizens even as attacks have increased against Iraqi and coalition forces that are trying to curb the violence.
Caldwell’s briefing came as car bombs and mortar attacks were reported in the northern Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk. Ramadan ends around October 24 with the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, a three-day celebration that marks the end of a month of fasting.
“The enemy knows that killing innocent people and Americans will garner headlines and create a sense of frustration,” Caldwell said. “However, the coalition will not be deterred from establishing an Iraq that can provide for its own security and can govern itself.”
“Operation Together Forward," the centerpiece of the Iraqi government’s Baghdad Security Plan, has made a difference in the capital’s most violent neighborhoods since its launch earlier this year, the general said. But, in the face of continuing violence outside these protected areas as insurgents attempt to return, Caldwell said, the coalition now is working with the Iraqi government to help revise their plan. (See related article.)
Continuing violence is part of an ongoing challenge for Iraq’s democratically elected government, which was formed following the national vote to ratify a new Iraqi constitution one year ago this week. (See related article.)
The coalition official commended the Iraqi government’s perseverance and voiced continuing support as strategies and tactics are adjusted in an ever-changing, dynamic environment.
Through “tough security measures,” as well as Iraqi political leaders’ continued attention to building a democratic political process desired by the 12 million Iraqis who voted for the unity government, Caldwell said, “that goal is achievable.” (See related article.)
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE TO GROW
Behind the headlines, Caldwell highlighted the continued progress of Iraq’s security forces. More than 312,000 Iraqi soldiers and national police have been trained and equipped by coalition forces to date. These forces, he said, continue to grow in numbers as well as in capability. (See related article.)
The security forces’ commitment to protect and serve fellow citizens was illustrated on October 14-15 when the forces provided security for more than 100,000 Shi’a Muslim pilgrims from across Iraq and neighboring Iran who traveled to Najaf to honor Imam Ali. The event was the third religious celebration in the last three months where Iraqi security forces independently planned and established a series of checkpoints and conducted patrols to ensure the safety of participants in the procession.
Intelligence from area residents led Iraqi forces to conduct a series of raids in Tikrit against several businesses suspected of transferring millions of dollars from Syria to Iraq to finance insurgent attacks. The operation, Caldwell said, illustrates both the increasing capability of the Iraqi forces and the resolve of Iraqi citizens to stop the insurgent violence in their communities.
Iraqi forces also have been successful finding and seizing caches of weapons and bomb-making materials. In al-Anbar province, Caldwell said, in a recent mission supported by U.S. Marines, Iraqi forces detained 35 suspected insurgents and collected more than 11,000 weapons, as well as cases of explosives.
Discovery of weapons caches in Iraq has increased over the past few months, Caldwell said, noting that 170 caches were found in July, 190 in August and 220 in September. With 144 weapons caches already found so far this month, the trend is set to continue.
Caldwell also said the Iraqi Interior Ministry has reassigned several senior national police officers as part of its larger reform agenda following allegations of corruption and links to sectarian militias. (See related article.)
“The decision to make changes was made solely by the Ministry of Interior,” Caldwell said. “And we continue to applaud the difficult and challenging decisions they are making.”
A transcript of Caldwell’s briefing is available from the Multinational Force – Iraq Web site.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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