U.S. Commander Ray Odierno: Iraqis 'Ready To Assume Full Operations,' Handle Own Security

WASHINGTON — Iraq's military is ready and able to take over security operations as the United States ends it combat role and prepares for a major troop withdrawal, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Sunday.

Gen. Ray Odierno said Iraq's military has "stepped up" to the challenge even as Iraqi politicians continue to squabble over the formation of a new government and new incidents of extremist violence are reported.

"We do believe they are ready to assume full operations in Iraq," Odierno said on ABC's "This Week." He praised the Iraqi security forces for their professionalism and neutrality during the months of political uncertainty that followed elections earlier this year.

Odierno added, however, that it is critical for Iraq to form a government after five months of delay, warning that insurgents will try to take advantage of the political vacuum.

"The Iraqis have to understand the importance of forming the government," he said.

Violence has dropped dramatically in Iraq since 2008, but insurgent attacks remain a daily occurrence, especially in the capital Baghdad, preventing the city from regaining a semblance of normalcy seven years after the insurgency broke out.

Still, violence has spiked over the past month as the U.S. moves ahead with a major drawdown of its troops to be completed by the end of August, when only 50,000 will remain in the country.

On Sunday, a suicide car bomber struck a police patrol in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, killing eight people and wounding 23, and a car bomb exploded in the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, killing two people and injuring four. Those followed attacks in the southern city of Basra, where explosions hit a market and killed 43 people on Saturday.

Odierno acknowledged that there were "ups and downs" but spoke of a "broad change in the security environment" as Iraqi security forces with U.S. assistance move against insurgents.

"I think they can handle it," he said.

Comments

[DenverJJ]

01:36 PM on 08/09/2010

If were an Iraqi I would seriously doubt that a government formed while the American army is running the show would have suffcient legitimacy to give me confidence. I think that is why they are delaying the formation of a government. I would be almost sure that they want to include elements that are fighting us there. They got this.... it's there country. Let them do what they to must to create security and a court system that works for them. The trial of Saddamm was really the turning point for this people. They can do the rest without interference from us.
"Time to let go" (I would love that headline in the NY TIMES soon).
best,
DenverJJ

[Scott Sundsvold]

05:14 AM on 08/09/2010

The remaining 50k are in place to fight off the rise of ba'athist zombies.
Even Iraq needs a zombie plan.

[Non-Compassionate Liberal]

12:25 AM on 08/09/2010

Never say anything the least bit negative about Obama here, because it won't last.

[timm0]

09:11 PM on 08/08/2010

Sweet. The Afghani's are ready as well.

Last one out the door hit the light!

[johnhuffy]

08:12 PM on 08/08/2010

Baghdad Bob: Iraqis 'Ready To Assume Full Operations,' Handle Own Security

[mervr1]

08:10 PM on 08/08/2010

Still, violence has spiked over the past month as the U.S. moves ahead with a major drawdown of its troops to be completed by the end of August, when only 50,000 will remain in the country.

And this is what they continue to deal with on a daily basis!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QkJ1mG63rU

But they don't show this on the evening news, straight from the troops mouth!

[sposton]

08:09 PM on 08/08/2010

It is worth keeping in mind that we are not leaving Iraq as they would like you to conclude. Those huge basis will still be manned by Americans, just relabeled non-combat troops. Iraq is now the main imperial outpost in the Middle East. Iraqi security forces are entirely dependent on Americans and Iraq is almost entirely dependent on the US air power. Just look at the airplanes in the Iraqi air force. Iraq is just another vassal state.

The political situation in Iraq is precarious and I doubt it is going to get better any time soon. If Iraqi security forces were independent of Americans there would be a military/security putsch within a month or two. Since this will not be allowed, the Iraqi political system will hobble along until the situation deteriorates into another civil war.

[cadawa]

07:36 PM on 08/08/2010

They were doing a good job of it eight years ago, before the US illegally invaded. There were no Al Qaida in Iraq and they had control of their natural resources. Now US and British multinationals have their resources and they have a ruined country.

[johnhuffy]

08:14 PM on 08/08/2010

Yes, they actually had a well-functioning society. A few special interests made a ton of money breaking that place up and re-building it.

[Imo Verit]

07:30 PM on 08/08/2010

The seismic testing phase is complete. Gentlemen place your bids.

http://www.business.maktoob.com/20090000406374/Iraq_holds_oil_bids_Shell_wins_giant_field/Article.htm

[betito]

06:55 PM on 08/08/2010

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True It Probably Is..

[OneTop]

06:30 PM on 08/08/2010

What it really means is that the Billion dollar Embassy is finally complete, construction at all the U.S. permanent Military bases has been wound up, access to the Oil fields is secure and can be developed without fear of Iraqi nationalizing efforts.

Of course this means that at least 50,000 troops and untold "others" will remain in Iraq far into the future to protect US companies and their investments.
Bush and Maliki made sure of this agreement, all of which was behind the scenes in a secret video conference without any democratic debate in either the US or Iraq. Puppets are so useful in situations like this.

Neo-colonialism or is is Imperialism ?

[betito]

06:58 PM on 08/08/2010

Just one awesome post. it sums it up just like they dont want you to know...

[terry63]

07:47 PM on 08/08/2010

Its always been that way, you know were not leaving. Not in the full sence of the term, well be there for the next one hundred years or until the Shites kick us out. Thats who will be running the country you know, They will answer to Directly to Tehran. You think Achmadinajad is crazy, you think he's dumb? What if I told you that he managed to have a proxy war with his arch rival Saddam and the Military that did his dirty work , Payed for it themselves. and now all he has to do is wait. Wait for that Military to bankrupt its self, and then he will have defeated both of his enemies, and no one will stand in his way , except for Turkey, and Israel.

[01202009]

06:24 PM on 08/08/2010

Question one: Why are we then keeping 50K troops there?
Two: Someone tell me one thing this war has accomplished? One that won't be taken away when civil war breaks out?

[nirek]

07:59 PM on 08/08/2010

Answer 1 to protect the oil fields.
2 nothing. And if we ever do leave civil war will continue.

[researcher]

06:15 PM on 08/08/2010

Let's take a look at what has been accomplished:
(1) installed a USA-friendly puppet government ....... CHECK
(2) rebuilt the Iraqi military from the ground up ....... CHECK
(3) Iraqi military now dependent upon USA military hardware ....... CHECK
(4) signed, sealed, delivered oil Production Sharing Agreements ....... CHECK
(5) siphoned off $100s of Billions to USA defense contractors ........ CHECK
(6) mostly emptied Grover Norquest's proverbial "tub" ........ CHECK
(7) eliminated Iraq as a major regional military power ....... CHECK
(8) elevated Iran as a major regional military power ....... CHECK
(9) turned a secular socialized OPEC country into a USA client ........ CHECK
(10) silenced Iraq's top leadership as witnesses to USA perfidy ........ CHECK
(11) confirmed beyond doubt that Iraq's WMDs are gone ........ CHECK
(12) punished Saddam for attempted assassination of Poppa Bush ........ CHECK

quote of david762

[01202009]

06:25 PM on 08/08/2010

F & F! CHECK!

[nirek]

08:01 PM on 08/08/2010

Faved for I am already a fan!

[Douvie]

06:07 PM on 08/08/2010

I'm glad to read of the progress of the Iraqi forces of self defense. Now can we close up shop?

[Steamboater]

06:07 PM on 08/08/2010

Sure Iraqies are ready to handle their own security, and with the 50,000 american troops labeled as other than combat troops Obama is leaving behind after combat troops are pulled out. It's just another lipstick on a pig joke and not a very good one at that.