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23 December 2005

U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Iraq Linked to Increased Iraqi Capacity

Iraqi troops taking the lead, according to U.S. embassy fact sheet

There now are more than 216,000 trained, equipped Iraqi troops, up from 115,000 in November 2004, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad announced December 23.

According to a fact sheet issued by the embassy, there are more than 50 Iraqi battalions leading counterinsurgency operations.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced December 23 that the United States would reduce its military presence in Iraq by about 7,000 troops as a result of the increasing preparedness of Iraqi security forces. (See related article.)

The transfer of security operations already has begun, with 33 Iraqi battalions now controlling battle space throughout the country and Iraqis controlling 30 of 110 forward operating bases, the fact sheet said.

It also credited the recent legislative elections with helping to move the political process forward toward the establishment of a permanent democratic government and said that the Iraqi economy is showing strong growth.

For additional information, see Iraq Update.

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

(begin fact sheet)

Embassy of the United States of America
Baghdad, Iraq

December 23, 2005
Embassy Spokesman’s Office
Phone: (914) 360-6452
Iraqna: 07901-819-314
Email: BaghdadPressOffice@state.gov

NEWS RELEASE
Troop Level Adjustment in Iraq

-- Military commanders have recommended a troop level adjustment, and the President accepted their recommendation.

-- The adjustment is attributed to the growing capability and effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), its leadership, and its organization.

-- It is also due to the continued handover of security responsibility to Iraqis and the country’s continued political and economic progress.

-- The decision will result in a reduction of U.S. force levels of approximately two combat brigade-equivalents, or about 7,000 troops, in Iraq.

-- The effect of these adjustments will likely reduce the forces in Iraq by the spring of 2006 below the 138,000 baseline.

1. Continued growth and development of the Iraqi security forces:

-- In the past year, trained and equipped Iraqi Security Forces nearly doubled, from 115,000 in November 2004 to more than 216,000 today.

-- More than 125 Army and Special Police battalions are in the fight, with more than 50 battalions in the lead for counterinsurgency operations.

-- Iraqi Security Forces displayed improved performance during recent offensive combat operations, for example in Tal Afar and the Western Euphrates River Valley.

-- The Iraqi Security Forces performed exceptionally in support of the Dec. 15th election.

2. Successful transitioning of security responsibility:

-- In March three battalions controlled battle space in Baghdad; now 33 battalions control battle space throughout Iraq.

-- 50 percent of Baghdad Province is under operational control of ISF.

-- 30 of 110 Forward Operating Bases have been turned over to the Iraqis or closed.

3. Continued political and economic progress.

-- A permanent government democratically elected by the citizens of Iraq will soon be seated.

-- Sunni Arabs voted in large numbers, defying the terrorists and Saddamists who threatened all who participate with death and called on Iraqis to reject the political process.

-- All major constituencies in Iraq have shown a willingness to work within the political process to advance their legitimate interests. 

-- Many cities, such as Mosul and Najaf, are coming back to life.

-- Iraq’s economy is growing – thousands of new businesses have opened and personal income is up.

-- Iraq’s GDP is expected to grow in real terms by 3.7 percent in 2005 and nearly 17 percent in 2006.

-- According to one survey, seven in 10 Iraqis say their own lives are going well, and nearly two-thirds expect things to improve in the next year.

-- Significant progress is being realized, but more work remains, including building ministerial capacity and further developing leadership and readiness at all levels of Iraqi Security Forces.

-- The capacity of the Iraqi government and Iraqi Security Forces weigh more in the recommendations consideration process than specific levels of violence or attacks.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)