Winning the Battle for Bagdad

Photo: Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Qassim Moussawi (right) and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Fox, an MNF-I spokesman, provide an update on the progress of Fardh Al-Qanoon at the Combined Press Information Center Sunday. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jennifer Fulk, Combined Press Information Center.

Iraqi citizens aid security forces
Tuesday, 03 April 2007

By Spc. Carl N. HudsonCombined Press Information Center

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi Army general and a spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq held a press conference concerning the progress of Fardh Al-Qanoon at the Combined Press Information Center Sunday.

Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Qassim Moussawi and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Fox, an MNF-I spokesman, provided an update on recent achievements by Iraqi and Coalition forces and encouraged the Iraqi population to keep providing more information leading to the capture of terrorists.

“We’ve seen some initial progress, but our work will not be accomplished in days or weeks, but will require a sustained effort over the course of many months,” said Fox.

Along with the contribution of over 5,000 tips from Iraqi citizens, Iraqi and Coalition forces seized over 300 weapons caches, detained over 1,400 suspects and cleared over 300 improvised explosive devices in March including the rescue of a kidnapped family in Doura, Iraq, last week.

We need the Iraqi people to provide us with more tips on the whereabouts of terrorists and weapons caches, said Moussawi.

Moussawi also spoke about terrorist intentions of “inflicting brutal casualties amongst the people.”

Terrorist groups have tried to infiltrate secure and quiet areas to inflict high casualty rates, said Moussawi.

Terrorists are also using chlorine gas or poisonous materials to affect the morale of the Iraqi people, he said.

While additional forces are en route to fully implement Fardh Al-Qanoon, Iraqi and Coalition troops have been able to limit terrorist activities.

“In order to protect the Iraqi people, 31 joint security stations and 22 combat outposts, manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are currently open in all 10 districts in Baghdad and more are being built,” said Fox.

As violence decreases in Baghad and other cities, some terrorists have fled to areas surrounding the cities, placing the responsibility of security on tribal leaders.

“Tribal leaders and tribesmen are conducting operations against [terrorists],” said Moussawi. “We have noticed military operations carried out by the tribes in Al-Anbar, Diyala, Hillah, and Nineveh; they have chased and tracked down these terrorists.”

As the Coalition and Iraqi populace aid the Iraqi government, confidence in security is expected to improve the economy and help establish water, sewage and electric facilities.

“The people of Iraq and the people of Baghdad are sick and tired of this violence,” said Fox.

“We’re going to accomplish this mission.”

“There’s no moving out of neighborhoods anymore,” he added.

More Good news from Iraq:

Joint Police Force Works Toward a More Secure Iraq.aspx
Posted: 02 Apr 2007 03:58 AM CDT
ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq — The future security of Iraq starts at the ground level with the Iraqi security forces. In order to prepare the Iraqis for this responsibility, soldiers in transition teams have been working around the clock all over Iraq.

Iraqis, Coalition Working Together to Secure Tal Afar.aspx
Posted: 02 Apr 2007 03:16 AM CDT
WASHINGTON – Coalition and Iraqi forces are working with city leaders to secure the Iraqi city of Tal Afar after a bombing at a market killed more than 80 people earlier this week, a military official said today in a briefing from the city.