Growth Moves Iraqi Security Forces Toward Police Primacy
By Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
Jul 3, 2009 - 6:54:36 PM
Blackanthem Military News
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces continued to grow in June, developing and refining their capabilities and shouldering more of the burden for providing security for Iraq. This meets a key goal of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement for ensuring police primary.
Today, there are more than 100 ISF battalions engaging in simultaneous operations around the country. They are trained and capable to take the lead in security and counterinsurgency operations. More than 416,000 security force personnel are assigned to work in the Ministry of Interior security force, with an additional 239,000 working at the Ministry of Defense, for a total of more than 655,000 available to stabilize conditions in the nation.
U.S. Army Col. John Maietta, director of Strategic Operations, Iraq Training and Advising Mission, noted that with the benefit of support and assistance from coalition forces, the ISF are now increasingly able to stand on their own to serve and protect the people of Iraq.
Maietta called the success in professionalizing the ISF a "tremendous accomplishment for the people of Iraq. It reflects the growing capabilities of the Iraqi security forces."