Iraqi army takes over from US in rebellious area (Habbaniya, Anbar)

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi army division has taken over from U.S. forces in patrolling an area in Anbar province, the U.S. military said on Tuesday, the first transfer on that level in the western heartland of the Sunni Arab insurgency.

The 1st Iraqi Army Division officially assumed control of territory near the town of Habbaniya on June 2, between the towns of Ramadi and Falluja, it said in a statement.

A U.S. military spokesman declined to give the precise number of troops involved. A division is a group of brigades usually commanded by a major-general.

The desert province, a stronghold of Saddam Hussein's once-dominant Sunni minority, is the scene of frequent and deadly insurgent attacks against the U.S. forces who invaded three years ago to overthrow the Iraqi strongman.

...

But U.S.-led forces would continue to help with medical evacuation and fire support, it added.

It was the first division-level transfer of territory in Anbar, the statement said, adding that four Iraqi brigades and nine Iraqi battalions are also assigned territory there.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060606/ts_nm/iraq_usa_transfer_dc

We may hope that this is the beginning of the withdrawal.

[acmavm]

1. A ploy to keep American casualities down? I don't think

the Iraqi army (or whatever they are) will have that much luck.

[sidpleasant]

2. Is the 1st IAD a Shiite division?

If so then the Sunnis in Anbar will regard them as enemies. If it's a Sunni division will they fire on their coreligionists if ordered to do so?

[Massacure]

3. Are shiites and sunnis segregated?