The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Shopping
    • Stores
    • Coupons
    • Daily Double
    • Promotion
    • How It Works
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • National

    PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine

  • National

    U.S. links 8 to Somali terrorist group

  • Business

    Home sales surge 10.1 percent in October

  • Local

    Fenty trails Gray in D.C. poll

  • Politics

    S.C. governor faces 37 ethics violations

  • National

    China holds lawyer who tried to see Obama

  • World

    Israel-Hamas prisoner swap talks advance

Home » News » Editor Favorites

Friday, October 24, 2008

Iraqi forces accept control of 12th province

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos

More Editor Favorites Stories

  • PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine
  • U.S. links 8 to Somali terrorist group
  • Home sales surge 10.1 percent in October
  • Fenty trails Gray in D.C. poll

By Richard Tomkins

SAMARRA, Iraq | Iraqi forces Thursday took responsibility for security in an area south of Baghdad once known as the "Triangle of Death" and may soon take control in Salaheddin, where al Qaeda nearly sparked a full-scale civil war in 2006.

Babil, the location of the ancient ruins of Babylon, is the 12th of 18 Iraqi governorates or provinces to be placed under Iraqi control and the second since September, when Anbar was transferred. A 13th province, Wasit, is expected to revert to Iraqi authority at the end of this month and Salaheddin may not be far behind.

The White House said the Babil transfer was proof of the success of the U.S. surge strategy.

"This brings the total to about two-thirds of Iraq that is now being controlled by Iraqis," White House press secretary Dana Perino said. "The president is appreciative of all the work that our forces have done, but also recognizes that the Iraqis have done a lot of work, too, to get to this point."

U.S. and Iraqi authorities credit the Sons of Iraq security groups which emerged last year with playing a critical role in securing communities from terrorist infiltration and allowing Americans to take a back seat.

"They have successfully expelled al Qaeda from the city by securing their neighborhoods," said Capt. Josh Kurtzman, a company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Samarra.

Samarra, in Salaheddin province, is the location of the Golden Dome Mosque, a Shi'ite holy site. Al Qaeda terrorists blew up the dome in 2006 and sparked sectarian bloodletting across the country that almost led to outright civil war.

However, the security situation has improved so much that U.S. officers here say the province could be transferred to Iraqi control in the spring.

The district has experienced several bombings in past years, including one on March 13 that killed 18 people. Since then, authorities have reinforced security with several checkpoints and concrete walls.

As a result, the number of attacks in Samarra has dropped from 67 in May to 8 so far this month.

[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for reprint permissions!
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC

12Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Please login or register to post a comment

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. EDITORIAL: Hiding evidence of global cooling
  2. Top Republican lawmakers not invited to State Dinner
  3. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  4. EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE: On terrorists, Justice recused
  5. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues
More Top Stories »
  1. KELLNER: New Apple mouse really is 'Magic'
  2. Massive bill steals show in health care debate
  3. Report: D.C. schools chief Rhee mishandled sexual misconduct scandal
  4. Company that repaired Chairman Gray's house lacked license
  5. EDITORIAL: Gunning for Sarah Palin

Most Shared

  1. EDITORIAL: Hiding evidence of global cooling
  2. Ego of 'O': It's all about him
  3. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues
  4. Top Republican lawmakers not invited to State Dinner
  5. EDITORIAL: Death for being a Christian
More Top Stories »
  1. EDITORIAL: Schumer's change of heart
  2. PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine
  3. The United Socialist States of America
  4. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  5. Tea Party react: Conservatives seek litmus test for RNC funding

Most Commented

  1. Work site arrests of illegals fall dramatically
  2. Top Republican lawmakers not invited to State Dinner
  3. EDITORIAL: Hiding evidence of global cooling
  4. Lobbyists spending big to shape health care debate
  5. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
More Top Stories »
  1. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs
  2. Schumer: Dems will pass health bill alone
  3. ANALYSIS: Obama takes a bow, but applause is weak
  4. EDITORIAL: Schumer's change of heart
  5. Senate Democrats win key vote on health bill

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Question of the day

White House officials and Senate Democrats met in private three times last week to craft health care legislation. Do you think these discussions should be more public?

Blogs & Columns

  • Hot Button Blog

    RNC: Breast cancer recommendations may lead to 'rationing'

  • Belief Blog

    Evangelicals OK civil disobedience

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • Redskins 360

    Mason returns

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.