Caution urged for Iraqi operation handoff

BAGHDAD, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A top U.S. commander in Iraq is urging caution over the future handover of operations to Iraqi forces.

Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, says the additional combat units deployed to Anbar province and around Baghdad as part of the surge have resulted in falling causality rates, according to the American Forces Press Service.

"Violence throughout the country has dropped to a level not even seen before the first bombing of the Golden Mosque in 2006," Odierno said in a statement. "Last week, we saw a slight rise in attacks as al-Qaida attempted its own Ramadan surge, but for the large part, Iraqi security forces, as well as coalition forces, were successful in interdicting most of them."

Odierno joins several other top military commanders in saying the additional troops have disrupted al-Qaida in Iraq's operations and put pressure on the militant group's movement.

"With many of its top leaders eliminated, the remaining al-Qaida in Iraq leadership is increasingly being forced away from Baghdad," Odierno said. "Over the past eight to nine months, numerous population centers have been liberated from extremist control, including Baqubah, al Qaim, Arab Jabour, Ramadi, Fallujah and Abu Ghraib."

Despite the progress militarily and the continued growth and improvement of the Iraqi Security Forces, the lieutenant general urged for a careful eventual handover of operations.

"It is imperative that we continue to transition security responsibilities to the Iraqis," Odierno said. "But it's equally important that we do so in a cautious and thoughtful manner. … There is still some sectarianism that the government of Iraq, as well as us, are working towards eliminating. These issues must be addressed and receive the complete attention of the Iraqi leadership, and I think that they've done that, and they will continue to work hard to eliminate this."