The LA Times is reporting that the latest push to secure Baghdad his been successful, at least in these, the early stages
An ambitious military sweep appears to be dramatically reducing Baghdad's homicide rate, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Sunday — even as violence nationwide killed at least 80 people, including six U.S. soldiers in and around the capital.
Last month, the Baghdad morgue received more than 1,800 bodies, a record high. This month, the morgue is on track to receive less than a quarter of that.
This is an operation that while involving thousands of new US troops relocated from elsewhere in Iraq, is lead by Iraqi forces.
Iraqi security forces, supported by Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad, expanded their combined security effort into the northeast Baghdad neighborhood of Adhamiyah on Sunday in support of Operation Together Forward.
The combined operations are led by the 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, and 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, supported by Iraqi National Police from the 1st Brigade, 1st National Police Division, and Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
The operations are designed to reduce the level of murders, kidnappings, assassinations, terrorism and sectarian violence in northern Baghdad, as well as to reinforce the Iraqi government’s control in the city.
The combined forces will secure the district by conducting a cordon and search of the entire area and all of its buildings.
Many, it seems, are happy for the new security measures.
“People are very interested (and respond) well to what we are doing, giving us information and displaying a positive attitude towards us,” said Sgt. Shane Weaver, infantryman, 1st Plt., Co. C. “They seem happy to see us on the ground.”
“It’s great to have the IA along,” added 2nd Lt. Michael Williams, platoon leader, 2nd Plt., Co. C. “They do a good job and the residents like to see them out here as well.”
“We’re making the area safe from terrorists,” said Habib, an Iraqi army soldier, through the aid of an interpreter.
Meanwhile they continue to go after the Iranian-supported forces of Moqtada al-Sadr
Two dozen Iraqi soldiers were killed in fierce street fighting with Shi'ite militiamen in the city of Diwaniya on Monday in some of the bloodiest clashes yet among rival factions in Shi'ite southern Iraq.
One can only hope the successes will continue. Especially with regards to taking aprt al-Sadr's crew.
