U.S. hands over another Iraqi province

[unhappycamper]

U.S. hands over another Iraqi province
By Bradley S. Klapper - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 24, 2008 5:56:53 EDT

BABYLON, Iraq — The U.S. military on Thursday handed over security responsibilities of Babil province south of Baghdad to the Iraqis — the 12th province to fall under government control.

Babil includes the Sunni belt once known as the triangle of death, as well as mainly Shiite areas farther south.

Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, said security gains have been remarkable — with the number of attacks falling about 80 percent from an average of 20 per week a year ago.

But he cautioned that “while the enemies of Iraq are down, they are not necessarily defeated.”

He said the number of attacks have fallen about 80 percent from an average of 20 per week a year ago. U.S. forces will remain in the area to assist the Iraqis when needed.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_iraq_handover_102308/%2e