Local forces to take over Iraq security
President Jalal Talabani said today that Iraqi forces will take over security of all provinces in the country by the end of the year, which at present is largely in the hand of US forces.
“Iraqi forces will take over the security in all provinces by the end of the year,” Talabani told reporters. Iraqi leaders have said previously that their goal is to be fully in control of the country’s security by the end of 2006, but Talabani’s statement is the most direct on the subject.
Talabani did not elaborate, and it was not clear if he meant whether the US would retain an advisory type of role in security or take a fully hands-off approach.
US forces are currently responsible for the security of 17 of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Only Samawah province is totally under Iraqi forces at present.
