Provincial Iraqi Control

The objective of the Iraqi Government and Multi-National Forces in Iraq is to achieve the transition of responsibility for each of the 18 provinces in Iraq from the Coalition to the Iraqi civil authorities, both national and local. Most attention on the issue is understandably focused on progress towards security within the provinces, both in terms of the threat from insurgents and the capability of the Iraqi Security Forces, but other factors, such as the competence and capacity of local governance is also important.Fact|date=March 2008

Provinces are subject to regular assessment by the Iraqi government and the Coalition; when a province appears to be ready, a recommendation is made to the Iraqi Ministerial Committee for National Security, with the Prime Minister making the final decision.

Provinces under Iraqi Control

As of the end of 2007, nine provinces had successfully completed transition to provincial Iraqi control: al Muthanna, Dhi Qar, Najaf, Maysan, Dahuk, Arbil, Sulaymaniyah, Karbala and Basra.

Muthanna was the first, on 13 July 2006, when Australian, Japanese and British forces from Multi-National Division-South East transferred responsibility to the Governor and local authorities. With a small and homogeneous Shia population, there had been very little militia violence and few attacks on Coalition forces in the preceding months, encouraging good progress in developing the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces there. Equally, the Governor of Muthanna enjoyed a good local mandate, having been re-elected in local elections in January 2005. [ [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/IraqisTakeControlInAlMuthanna.htm Handover of Muthanna Province] ]

Dhi Qar, also within the area of responsibility of the British-led MND-SE and the responsibility of the Italian and Romanian brigade, was handed over on 21 September 2006. [ [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DefenceSecretaryWelcomesHandoverOfDhiQarProvinceInIraq.htm Defence Secretary welcomes handover of Dhi Qar Province in Iraq - UK Ministry of Defence | Defence News] ] . Australian troops in MND-SE remain available to provide security support to the Iraqis in both Muthanna and Dhi Qar, should they request it.

Najaf, which had been garrisoned by first Polish, then US forces, was handed over on 20 December 2006. [ [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/DefenceSecretaryWelcomesHandoverOfAnnajafProvince.htm Handover of Najaf province] ]

In April 2007, Maysan province became the 4th to transition to provincial Iraqi control. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2007/iraq-security-stability_jun2007-01-4.htm GlobalSecurity.org Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq] ]

On May 30, 2007, the 3 provinces making up the Kurdish Regional Government transitioned to provincial Iraqi control, bringing the total count to 7. [ [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/06/jun_2007_iraqi_secur.php Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle June 2007 update - Long War Journal] ]

In October 2007, Karbala became the eighth province to transfer to provincial Iraqi control. The transfer of Basra in December 2007 marked the half-way point in transferring all provincial security over to Iraqi security forces. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1469&Itemid=78 Multi-National Force - Iraq - Provincial Iraqi Control] ] In July 2008 the tenth province, Al-Qadisiyah, also transferred to Iraqi control. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1469&Itemid=78 Multi-National Force - Iraq - Provincial Iraqi Control] ]

The meaning of Basra's addition to the list of provinces under Iraqi control is questionable: in March and April 2008, battles raged between the al-Maliki government and al-Sadr's Mahdi Army [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7312078.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq forces battle Basra militias ] ] ; an Iranian-brokered agreement led to the end of that conflict, but al-Sadr's Mahdi Army remained in control of Basra [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5leYnvOpPqrVCiXxC65pROPNYBAD8VRT50G0] Dead link|date=May 2008] ; moreover, the smuggling of Iraqi oil from Basra to Iran continues to sap the al-Maliki government of financial strength [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSL24480008 Iraq PM in Basra, govt vows action against oil smugglers | Reuters ] ] .

On September 1, 2008, in the wake of the decreasing levels of violence, the U.S. Army transferred control of the expansive Al-Anbar province over to Provincial Iraqi Control. A limited U.S. presence will be maintained to ensure security. Al-Anbar is the 11th province to be transferred to Iraqi security.

References

ee also

Iraq War order of battle

External links

* [http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/9010-Final-20070608.pdf Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq - June 2007 Report to Congress]