UK Defence Secretary Des Browne congratulated the Iraqi people, saying, “I am pleased that Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq is today being handed over to Iraqi control. I congratulate the Iraqis on this achievement, along with our Italian and Romanian partners, whose hard work has contributed to establishing the conditions required for handover.”
Italian and Romanian personnel have worked hard to develop and mentor the Iraqi security forces in Dhi Qar and support the local authority.
“I understand that the continuing violence in Baghdad is rightly the main focus of interest here in Britain. But elsewhere in Iraq, there is real progress both in establishing security, and in the transition process. Dhi Qar is the second province, after Al-Muthanna in July, to be handed over to Iraqi control. This does not mean there are no security challenges in Dhi Qar - but it does mean that Iraq’s Security Forces are now in a position to take the lead. I hope to see further provinces going through this process in the coming months,” said Des Browne.
The handover of all provinces, Dhi Qar included, is conditionally based upon:
- an assessment of the threat from insurgents
- Iraqi Security Forces’ ability to take on the security task
- the capacity of provincial bodies to cope with the changed security environment
- the posture and support available from Coalition Forces
The situation differs across Iraq but the expectation over the coming months is that the Iraqi Government and its Security Forces will progressively take responsibility for security in other provinces when the afore mentioned conditions are met.
Coalition Forces based in Dhi Qar will retain the capability to re-intervene in support of the Iraqi Security Forces if the Iraqi government judges that the security situation demands it.
From the UK’s perspective, there will be no significant force reductions as a consequence of this decision.
The UK remain’s fully committed to helping the Iraqi Government build a stable, secure and democratic country.
Following the handover ceremony Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said: “On behalf of all Iraqis I am proud to announce that Dhi Qar provincial authorities have accepted security responsibility from the Multi-National Forces. I personally congratulate Governor Aziz for leading his province in the direction of progress, peace and harmony. I also thank the Coalition men and women who bravely guarded this area from evil-doers until our security forces became strong enough to protect our people of Dhi Qar.
“But most of all, I congratulate the citizens of Dhi Qar for building the conditions as their neighbors did in Muthanna to build a prosperous and peaceful future for their children. Ibrahim - the father of the great religions - was born in Ur and the ruins of his home can be seen there today. Iraqis and tourists are now able to freely visit this historical area.”