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Ramadi operations continue

Operations in Ramadi continue, as Iraqi and Coalition Forces fend off terrorist and insurgent attacks against the government center there, while in Baghdad, Iraqi police rebuild in the face of terrorist efforts to destroy both communities and the infrastructure.

In his weekly press conference from Baghdad, Multi-National Force - Iraq Spokesman Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch compared the latest average number of attacks with that of October 2005.

"We were averaging about 27 attacks per day. Now we're down to about 17," he said.

Last week, operations against insurgents in the al Anbar area netted 219 insurgent detainees. "We see improvements in the security situation in al Anbar, but the problem exists in Ramadi," said Lynch. "Most troublesome, is they are attacking the government center in Ramadi. They're trying to disrupt the formation of a stable government at the provincial level."

Marines follow rules of engagement

Lynch pointed out several recent attacks have come from a local mosque adjacent to the government center in central Ramadi.

"In the last three-and a-half weeks, that mosque has been used for insurgent activities four times. This week the Marines - acting in accordance with the rules of engagement - returned fire to that mosque upon receiving direct fire from one of the minarets," he said.

The Marines used a 120 mm tank round and machinegun fire to silence an attack from the Fatemat mosque mineret. The MNF-I spokesman stressed the Marines were "clearly within their rules of engagement - clearly intended to stop the attacks on the government center."

Iraqi training, reconsstruction efforts continue

Coalition and Iraqi Forces continue to work to rebuild Iraq's security institutions throughout the country. The capitol of Baghdad, where the new government has recently been seated, has been a focused target of terrorist and anti-Iraq forces.

Pock-marked from improvised-explosive attacks, rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, the police headquarters building in southern Baghdad symbolizes the Iraqi police's dedication to the citizens of the Al Dora and Al Bayaa neighborhoods. Iraqi and Coalition Forces have rebuilt the station despite frequent attacks.

Multi-National Division - Baghdad's 21st Military Police Company helps train police in the al Rasheed and Karradah districts of Baghdad. Sgt. Gerald Gregory, a personal security detail platoon leader, said the MPs have seen a huge improvement in the Baghdad police force.

"So much that now, the primary responsibility for the military police company is to train key leadership to become more self-reliant," said Gregory

In taking the lead, Iraqi police have become more of a target for terrorists and insurgents, but according to Military Policeman Spc. Michael Sward, they continue to rise to the challenge.

"They take their bumps and bruises just like we do, but they understand that they have a job to do," said Sward. "So they go straight back out, flood the area where they just got hit, and try to get whoever did it. Their presence says - 'Hey we're not going to back down," he added.

Sward said he believes the Iraqi police will succeed in establishing law and order in Iraq.

"They've got heart. The Iraqi police love their job," he said. "The majority of them are fighting for their families, their communities, where they live. This is their home."

Operation Scales of Justice has resulted in 1,112 patrols in Baghdad alone, of which 65-percent were conducted by Iraq security forces.

Last year, only three Iraqi battalions were operational in Iraq. Today, two Iraqi Army divisions with 16 Brigades and 58 battalions are taking the lead in counter-insurgency operations in their respective areas throughout the country.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq