In These New Times

Anbar handover to Iraqis finalized
Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:22:13 GMT Press TV

Al-Anbar province
Iraqi forces have finalized their preparations to take over responsibility for security in the western Anbar province from the US troops.

“Our forces are ready to take the security responsibility tomorrow (Monday),” Majid al-Assafi, the new police chief of Anbar, said Sunday. “Our troops are on alert to avert any failure of the transfer,” he added.

Anbar, once one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq, will be the first predominantly Sunni Arab province to be transferred to the Iraqis by the US military. Iraqi forces are now in control of 10 out of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Anbar will become the eleventh province to take responsibility for its own security.

Anbar’s security transfer was initially scheduled to take place late in June, but the process was postponed due to bad weather condition and forecast of sandstorm on the day in which the handover ceremony was expected to take place.

Following the handover, US forces will be stationed in their bases outside the city and will only be visible when requested, the Voice of Iraq news agency said. Some 25,000 US soldiers are currently deployed in the Anbar province.

The commander of US forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus said in June that at least two provinces, other than Anbar, would be handed over to Iraqis before the end of 2008.

MMA/MMN