U.S. commander says al-Qaida on the run

BAGHDAD, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A U.S. military commander says al-Qaida militants are now on the run in northern Iraq as a result of increased pressure from coalition forces.

Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of Multinational Division North, says Operation Iron Harvest's 40 operations, many alongside the Iraqi security forces in the region, have removed safe havens in terrorist strongholds in four of Iraq's northern provinces.

"A year ago, we were often reacting to al-Qaida and what they were going to do," Hertling said in a statement. "Now, I think the tables have turned a little bit, and they are attempting to react to where we're going to go next. And that's a critical difference."

Hertling cited increased participation by local Iraqis in what the U.S. Defense Department refers to as concerned citizen groups as an important factor in the security momentum shift.

"They are trying to get away or find new safe havens. And every time they think they have them, we attack there," Hertling said.

Officials say the operations have resulted in the clearing of 386 roadside bombs, 28 car bombs, 38 house bombs, the discovery of 127 weapons cache sites and the destruction of bomb-making factories, according to the release.

"As things begin to develop and we get more and more into the hold and the eventual build stage, coalition forces will begin to leave," Hertling said. "As the Iraqi police stand up more and more capability, the Iraqi army will begin to leave and the police will be left, along with local citizens, in securing the inside of town."