Operations In 2007 Empowered And Helped Iraqi People Heal
There were a great number of military operations in Iraq in 2007, and most all of them provide examples that the Iraq people are beginning to have hope about. Al-Qaeda was involved and entrenched in the whole Western Euphrates Valley back in January 2007.
“Al-Qaeda had Ramadi as capital of their operations, they even held a parade one time on the main street,†said Army Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno. Odierno is the Multinational Corps Commander in Iraq. General Odierno talked to officials in the Pentagon from his Baghdad headquarters, and was optimistic.
The biggest problem now in the city of Ramadi is excessive traffic and congestion. Security is for the most part under control, as it is increasingly across Iraq. “We have made wonderful and tremendous progress across Iraq in 2007,†said Odierno. “Our overall progress in the region since last June, and now we can work to capitalize on that progress,†said General Odierno.
“It’s a very complex set of issues in Iraq, but our top mission and that of our Iraqi counterparts remains clear: Protect the Iraqi population and its citizens from harm,†said Odierno. “We have to continue to move forward, but slowly, in steps we can support and maintain,†said Odierno. Security is continuing to be transferred to local Iraqi Police and Army units, as they become trained and able to sustain keeping the peace.
“The Iraqi people were given courage and hope in 2007, and we will continue to build on that momentum in 2008, helping create decisive and strong Iraqi Government leadership,†stated General Odierno.
