Multinational Force Iraq Lauds Citizen Groups in Battle Against Al-Qaeda

Key to recent successes against Al-Qaeda in Iraq are thanks largely to an increased vigilance by Concerned Local Citizens Groups and an increase in both professionalism and "heroics" of the Iraqi Army, says the Multi-National Force Iraq Central Command in a press release sent out January 9, 2007. According to Major General Bergner, the CLCs and Iraqi Army make up, "first line of defense in courageously confronting terrorists," citing an incident that occurred Sunday where a suicide bomber was apprehended by three Iraqi soldiers in Karadah, who were later killed by a later detonated grenade in the bomber's vest. In addition to the three Iraqi soldiers, two bystanders were killed in the blast.

"The attack occurred outside a neighborhood advisory council building killing all three soldiers and two civilian bystanders," Maj. Gen. Bergner said in the press release.

He went on to praise both the Sunni Awakening Councils and various citizens who he says are increasing their support for Coalition forces following several attempted and a few successful high profile terrorist attacks against key Sunnis who have joined the fight in driving AQI fighters out of Iraq. In a surprise move, however, he also praised Muqtada al-Sadr, who recently reaffirmed his desire to uphold the ceasefire he declared following the bloody showdown with the Badr Organization, a rival Shi'ite Militia, that killed 50 pilgrims in Karbala.

"We also welcome the recent commitment by al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr calling for the continued compliance with his pledge of honor to halt attacks and outreach from him with other Iraqi leaders to expand the peace," the general said in the press release.

The Concerned Local Citizens Groups have recently stepped up their profile in the country in the form of reporting weapons stockpiles, locations of IEDs, safehouses of terrorist leaders, and receive financial incentives to turn in their weapons under rules drafted with the Baghdad Security Plan. Several commanders have noted, especially in the December 2007 quarterly report to Congress on Iraq, the crucial impact these groups have had in curbing violence, causing it to drop more than 50% in the 80% most volatile regions of Iraq.

Major General Bergner also touched down on increasing levels of reconciliation within the country, which has caused a massive decline in sectarian violence - allowing American forces to focus on battling al-Qaeda in Iraq's shadow government in the Islamic State of Iraq. The latest of these operations is known as Operation Phantom Phoenix, with the stated goal of driving AQI further from Iraq, isolating it further in its eastern province of Diyala, the long time volatile cousin of al-Anbar.

However, with the Anbar Salvation Council's uprising against al-Qaeda in Iraq last year, Diyala now largely stands alone now.

Major General Bergner expressed optimism on the operation, which is being backed by Iraqi forces.

Sources:

-Emailed Press Report From the Multinational Force Iraq Central Command
-Major Leighton, Multinational Force Iraq Press-Desk