Region | Iraq
Iraq tightens security ahead of US withdrawal from cities
Iraqi security forces bolstered checkpoints and banned motorcycles from the streets of Baghdad as they prepared yesterday for more violence before this week's withdrawal of US combat troops from Baghdad and other cities and towns.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:13 June 28, 2009
Baghdad: Iraqi security forces bolstered checkpoints and banned motorcycles from the streets of Baghdad as they prepared yesterday for more violence before this week's withdrawal of US combat troops from Baghdad and other cities and towns.
Iraq cancelled leave for all its police and put them on high alert.
Despite the increased checks, a roadside bomb targeting a US convoy in eastern Baghdad wounded six bystanders. It was unclear if anyone in the convoy was injured, police said.
The US commander in Iraq said he believed Iraqi forces are ready to take over when American combat troops pull out of Baghdad and other cities by Tuesday.
General Ray Odierno said he thought it was the right time for the US withdrawal and for Iraqis to take responsibility for security.
Odierno said US troops will still be training and advising Iraqi forces and Americans will be conducting operations outside Iraqi cities after the deadline.
He said he did not think the pullout will put US troops more at risk. He said there will be good coordination with Iraqi troops and US intelligence operations would continue.
The withdrawal is part of a security agreement that calls for all American troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.
A car bomb also exploded in the parking lot of a police academy in western Baghdad, killing one police officer and wounding six others, police said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.
Insurgents were apparently taking advantage of a major sandstorm that blanketed Baghdad and reduced visibility to just a few metres in some places. The sandstorm sent dozens of people to hospitals with breathing problems and caused the Baghdad airport to close.
The airport closure also delayed by one day Iraq's first oil bidding process in over 30 years because it prevented representatives of international oil companies from landing in Baghdad.
Iraq had been planning to award eight oil and gas fields to international oil companies for long-term development on Monday day and Tuesday.
Do you expect the US troops' pullout to be peaceful? Are the local forces equipped to handle the security situation in Iraq? What is the best way forward for the Iraqis?
Your comments
yes absoulutely,they should pullout from iraq,otherwise the clashes between police and suicide bomb attack will increased.
Jack Ahmad
dubai,UAE
Posted: June 29, 2009, 12:53
The local forces are ready to take over. The Iraqi goverment is getting stronger day by day. The best thing would be when all forign forces are out of Iraq for good. The pullout of foreign forces will be the last nail in the coffin for even those people who want to create trouble and kill innocent people in the name of religion.
Zain
Sydney,Australia
Posted: June 29, 2009, 05:21
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