Under a new plan, Iraqis will have the ability to launch security operations without a multinational OK, the Iraqi government said Thursday.
The security plan for war-torn Baghdad would ostensibly place Iraqi troops in the lead and coalition forces in a supporting role.
The plan emerged during talks among officials from the Iraqi Defense and Interior ministries as well as the Multi-National Forces in Iraq.
The plan, which "will see the light of day soon," according to Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, would create a system with "swifter mobilization and decision-making."
There will be an overall Iraqi commander for Baghdad and one commander each from the largely Sunni area west of the Tigris River, called Karkh, and the largely Shiite area east of the river, called Rusafa. One commander will be from the Interior Ministry, the other from the Defense Ministry, Khalaf said.
In addition, a commander will be in charge of nine security districts in Baghdad, he said.
Security forces will remain at the same level, Khalaf said. As many as 45,000 Iraqi security forces have been in Baghdad in recent weeks.
They'll be provided with better bomb detection equipment placed at the city's entrances and 200 explosives experts. The equipment will allow troops to detect explosives from a distance of 100 meters or more... |