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WASHINGTON D.C. (January 28, 2008) - Iraqi security forces
increasingly demonstrate their professionalism and willingness to
step up to protect the Iraqi people, a spokesman for Multinational
Corps Iraq told reporters yesterday.
During a briefing in Baghdad, Navy Rear Adm. Gregory J. Smith
pointed to numerous signs of progress in training and equipping the
Iraqi army and police forces and the greater role these forces now
play in Iraq's security.
"We continue to see examples of the increasingly
professionalized Iraqi security forces stepping up to protect their
people," he said.
Smith noted the gains being made by soldiers, police officers
and groups such as "The Awakening" and concerned local citizens.
For example, last week in Karmah, an Iraqi army unit discovered two
critical stockpiles that together included more than 2,500 pounds
of homemade explosives.
"The Iraqi army, being on the ground and among its people, saved
an unknown number of lives with this find," Smith said.
In a similar incident, Iraqi soldiers operating northeast of
Ramadi responded to a tip from a local citizen and recovered a
stockpile of plastic explosives, rocket and mortar rounds,
detonating cords and ammunition.
"These finds happen every day, and ... in every corner of Iraq,"
Smith said. "As Operation Phantom Phoenix continues, we are seeing
Iraq's commitment to its security forces produce real results."
Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces continue to grow and increase
in capability, Smith said.
More than 1,800 new police officers recently graduated from the
National Police Training Center in Numaniyah, Smith noted. The
officers received individualized, specialized instruction and
education, with some focusing on anti-terrorism operations and
others in investigations.
"These officers will enrich and expand the capabilities of their
nation's security forces," Smith said. "All of these officers have
pledged their loyalty to the united, democratic Iraq. They have
expressed their commitment to all the people of Iraq. And they have
bravely chosen to stand with those who want a better tomorrow
instead of violence and anarchy offered by Iraq's enemies."
In addition, more than 2,000 newly trained police officers have
graduated from the Habbaniyah Police Training Center in Anbar
province since it opened in June, Smith said. That school offers
three specialized schools: one in convoy operations and street
survivability, another train-the-trainer school designed to equip
the Iraqi police to educate and lead on their own, and an officers'
transition integration program.
"These capabilities matter and are having positive effects in
the lines of Iraqi citizens," Smith said.
Iraq's enemies are responding to this new capability with
ever-more-desperate attacks, he said. He pointed to two incidents
last week in Mosul and Tikrit, in which 15-year-olds were exploited
to carry out murder-suicides.
"Children are not only humanity's future, they are the most
innocent and vulnerable among us," Smith said. "We have a trust to
care for them, to raise them up as good citizens. Al Qaeda is
instead trying to brainwash children ... with hate and death. We
see a stark contrast between those who are building a strong,
secure and peaceful society and those who seek to create a culture
of violence, hate and despair."
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