U.S. on sidelines during Karbala pilgrimage

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U.S. on sidelines during Karbala pilgrimage
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, February 17, 2009

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq — Iraqi forces have provided security for the roughly 10 million religious pilgrims en route to Karbala this week without requesting assistance from the U.S. military in wake of attacks.

Even with a female suicide bomber killing 40 pilgrims near Iskandariyah on Friday, U.S. forces out of nearby FOB Kalsu were not called upon to provide additional security.

"The Iraqi security forces’ capability as far as providing security at the scene as well as medical evacuation to their hospitals has been very good," said Army Capt. Stephen Short, 172nd Infantry Brigade public affairs officer. "They’ve been able to get a quick assessment on the situation and react to it tactically to prevent further attacks. They’ve actually made arrests and prevented some attacks."

For the past several days, U.S. unmanned aerial vehicles have flown over the pilgrimage routes, keeping watch for suspicious activity.

U.S. troops were ready to respond, if the Iraqis asked for their help.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60764