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U.S. Iraq Commander Says 'Sensational' Attacks Inevitable

March 8, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The new U.S. commander in Iraq says a joint U.S.-Iraqi security crackdown in Baghdad and other areas will take months and that some "sensational" insurgent attacks will inevitably continue.

In his first press conference since taking command last month, General David Petraeus said insurgents had sought to intensify attacks during the first week's of the security crackdown.

"Regrettably, some of these [terrorists] groups are still carrying out their barbaric acts," he said. "In fact, we believe that they have sought to intensify their sensational attacks in recent weeks to provoke renewed sectarian violence and derail Operation Fard al-Qanun [the new Iraq security plan] before it can be fully implemented."

But he said there had also been some encouraging signs recently. He said sectarian killings had been lowered in Baghdad in the last few weeks, and that sectarian deplacements were also down.

Earlier, the Pentagon said it had approved Petraeus's request for the deployment of 2,200 more U.S. military police for Baghdad, in addition to the 21,500 combat troops and 2,400 support troops that have already been ordered. The extra military police contingent is meant to help handle an anticipated increase in people detained during the ongoing Baghdad security crackdown.

Petraeus said that U.S. and Iraqi troops "are steadily building their strength to support the operation in Baghdad. The last of nine Iraqi surge battalions and the second of five U.S. surge brigades have just entered Baghdad. This buildup will continue throughout the spring, with all U.S. and Iraqi forces dedicated to the mission in place by about early June."

Petraeus also said that at the same time, efforts are under way to double the number of civilian reconstruction teams in Iraq, from 10 to 20, with the focus on Baghdad and the Al-Anbar Governorate.

He also denounced the wave of recent attacks against Shi'ite pilgrims who are heading for a religious commemoration beginning on March 9 in the Shi'ite holy city of Karbala.

The attacks, mostly blamed on Sunni insurgents, have killed more than 150 pilgrims in the past three days.

(with material from AP, Reuters)

Copyright (c) 2007. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org