Crime rate takes sharp drop in Najaf as city’s security passes to Iraqi troops

 

By Ahmad al-Zuwaini

 

Azzaman, August 31, 2005

 

Crime rate dropped by 90% in the holy city of Najaf in June and August compared with the same months last year, Najaf’s governor, Asaad Abukalal said.

 

The dramatic decline in crime in Najaf, one of Iraq’s holiest sites for Muslim Shiites all over the world, comes as U.S. occupation troops are said to have handed over the security file in the city to the nascent Iraqi forces.

 

“We have received the security file from the Multi-national forces who have evacuated their military base north of Najaf,” said Abukalal.

 

Najaf, 160 km south of Baghdad, is a city of about 600,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Province and the center of Shiite political power in the country.

 

The return of peace and stability to Najaf, if sustained, is bound to boomerang across at least nine other provinces in the south mainly inhabited by Shiites.

 

But only last week several people were killed in the city in clashes between rival Shiite militias.

 

The city was scene of heavy fighting last year when militias of the powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged an uprising against U.S. occupation troops.

 

But Abukalal said he now could muster enough police officers and military personnel to quickly restore stability in case of any disturbances.

 

“Our security forces have completed their readiness. Our border guards, customs and police officers, the national guard, commandos and forces charged with the protection of economic and civilian establishments have the power to secure the city,” he said.

 

The governor said he was “pleased” with the performance of the Iraqi security forces in the province.

 

“I am happy with the degree of cooperation taking place between the security forces and the people of Najaf,” he added.

 

He said even economically Najaf was better off than last year.

 

Earlier, Abukalal said he would increase the number of Iranian pilgrims to the city to about 5,000 a day.

 

Tourism is a major source of income and employment in Najaf.

 

“Crime rate dipped in July and August by 90%,” he said, adding that the sharp decline covered violent crime also.