Maliki says security takeover by year end; Maysan handover; bombs

"Bombs ravaged Baghdad in five horrific explosions aimed mainly at Shiite crowds on Wednesday, killing at least 171 people in the deadliest day in the capital since the American-led security plan for the city took effect two months ago.
. . . The wave of attacks, five of them involving car bombs, took place as Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki declared that the Iraqi government planned to take full control of security from the American-led forces before the end of the year.
. . . Mr. Maliki said the gradual transfer to Iraqi authority would continue, with three provinces in the relatively tranquil region of Kurdistan the next to come under Iraqi security authority, followed by Karbala and Wasit Provinces in the south.
'In this way, province by province, we will reach the end of the line before the end of the year,' the prime minister said in a speech delivered by Mowaffak al-Rubaie, his national security adviser. The speech observed the transfer of the southern province of Maysan from British to Iraqi control. Maysan is the fourth of Iraq’s 18 provinces to be handed to Iraqi security forces." [1]

"In Maysan, Iraqi police and soldiers will assume control of all law enforcement and security operations. Coalition units will continue to partner with Iraqi security forces, and small military and police training teams will continue to help Iraqi forces as they gain more hands-on experience, . . . [a Multinational Force Iraq] official said.
Iraqi officials can call on coalition forces in Basra province if they face a situation they cannot handle, the official said.
Coalition forces will also help Iraqi border police. The province has a long border with Iran and coalition forces will continue to help the police patrol the border, the official said.
Investment in the province will continue. In all, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed more than 200 projects totalingalmost $100 million in Maysan Province. There are currently 41 projects under construction and another 15 projects planned. Health care, electricity and water are the most important projects in the province, the official said." [2]

source
[1] Semple, Kirk. (The New York Times). Wave of Bombings Continues in Iraq. April 19, 2007.
[2] Garamone, Jim. (American Forces Press Service). Fourth Iraqi Province Transfers to Local Control. April 18, 2007.

resource
Wikipedia. Maysan Governate. Accessed April 22, 2007.

posted: sunday, april 22, 2007, 3:37 AM ET
update: sunday, april 22, 2007, 3:45 AM ET

tags: iraq security maysan