Iraqi troops close to exercise full control over Tikrit

 

By Mazzen Abdulhameed

 

Azzaman, June 18, 2005

 

An Iraqi brigade is exercising almost full control over several towns north of Baghdad, seen as among the most dangerous spots in the country.

 

The brigade’s commander Abduljabbar Saleh said his troops were in charge of security over an area extending from Dujail to Beiji, about 170 kilometers north of Baghdad.

 

“My brigade is capable of providing 80 per cent of security needs across this large area and in the light of the kind of weapons at its disposal,” Saleh said.

 

Most of the area under Saleh’s jurisdiction is situated in the Province of Salahideen of which Tikreet, the hometown of former leader Saddam Hussein, is the capital.

 

However, Saleh said any boost or extension of the brigade’s duties would require better weapons, supplies and equipment for his men.

 

“Our ambition is for the Iraqi army to be effectively armed to be able to shoulder full responsibility of security. This is our aim in the future,” Saleh said.

 

Saleh said his brigade coordinated with U.S. troops in his area but it “carried out 90 per cent of tasks” involved in fighting the terrorists and insurgents in the province.

 

“Our brigade has begun a new phase of training and we are now carrying out high level military exercise,” he added.

 

Saleh claimed that there has been “noticeable improvement in the security situation in the province of Salahideen, particularly in the areas under our brigade’s responsibility.”

 

He said he had also noticed “a large degree of cooperation” on the part of residents in his area.

 

“We get tips from citizens on individuals and cases threatening the security and life of the people of the province,” he said.

 

“Thos carrying out terror attacks are now Iraqis,” he alleged.