U.S. transfers control of Najaf to Iraqi soldiers

[Barrett808]

NAJAF, Iraq - Last year, much of this Shiite holy city lay in ruins, battered in heavy fighting between American soldiers and Shiite militiamen. On Tuesday, U.S. troops pulled out of their base here, confident the new Iraqi army is capable of ensuring security.

"This is only the beginning for Najaf," Lt. Col. James Oliver said during the ceremonial transfer of Forward Operating Base Hotel to Iraqi forces. "The Iraqi army is operating successfully throughout the region. They are fully independent and capable of responding to all security needs."

That doesn't mean this city, the holiest in Iraq for Shiite Muslims, is entirely peaceful. Two weeks ago, a brawl between supporters and opponents of a Shiite cleric triggered two days of clashes and riots throughout central and southern Iraq.

That's a far cry, however, from the bloody battles of last year between the U.S. 1st Armored Division and militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, which ended in a truce mediated by senior Shiite religious leaders.

The Americans hope that in time they can hand more and more of the country over to Iraqi forces, enabling the United States and its international partners to begin drawing down troop strength and focusing on the Sunni Arab heartland of the insurgency to the north.

In the Sunni areas, fighting still rages.

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http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/09/07/build/world/65-iraq_v.inc

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