“In The First Five Months Of 2008 [Iraqi And Coalition Forces] Have Already Made Some 4,500 Finds Of Weapons Caches”
“Iraqi Security Forces Have Grown … To Some 559,000 In May Of This Year”
Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, MNF-I
Operational Update with Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, Military Spokesman for Operation Fardh al-Qanoon
June 4, 2008
“For The Third Week In A Row Security Incidents In Iraq Are At The Lowest Levels In Four Years.” BERGNER: “For the third week in a row security incidents in Iraq are at the lowest levels in four years. These numbers reflect fewer attacks on Iraqi civilians, fewer attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces, and fewer attacks on the Government’s infrastructure.”
· “These security gains follow the coordinated offensive operations over the past year, and the recent security operations in Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra.”
· “They are being achieved today even as the fourth of five Brigade Combat Teams is returning home, and that includes two Marine battalions and a Marine Expeditionary Unit have already returned home.”
“A Key Factor In … Joint Operations Has Been The Steadily Increasing Capacity Of The Iraqi Security Forces.”
· “In the past 15 months, the Iraqi Security Forces have grown from 400,000 in June 2007 to some 559,000 in May of this year.”
· “Iraqi military leaders have planned, led, and executed recent operations in Iraq’s largest cities.”
· “Iraqi soldiers and police have shown their capacity to clear neighborhoods of thugs and criminals, and at the same time distribute emergency aid and take care of the local citizens.”
· “Iraqi pilots have increased the number of sorties flown to support ground operations. Iraqi sailors have re-established security at Iraq’s vital ports.”
“Weapons Found By Iraqi And Coalition Forces … Are On Pace To Well Exceed The Number Of Finds In 2007.” BERGNER: “The number of weapons found by Iraqi and coalition forces has increased in the last six months. In 2007, security forces made some 6,900 finds of weapons caches, but in the first five months of 2008 they have already made some 4,500 finds of weapons caches (close to double the numbers for 2005 and 2006) and are on pace to well exceed the number of finds in 2007.”
