Pentagon praises Iraqi 'intent' in going after militiamen
WASHINGTON (AP) - April 2, 2008 "We've been looking forward to a time when the Iraqi security
forces would in fact take the lead and be aggressive in terms of
providing for their own security," said Joint Chiefs of Staff
chairman Adm. Mike Mullen. "So from that standpoint, that
strategic intent was very positive."
He said the effort was planned and led by the Iraqis and that
U.S. forces provided logistical help in the way of intelligence and
air support.
U.S. special advisers embedded with Iraqi forces were there with
the Iraqis during the offensive, he said, though he declined to say
how many U.S. troops participated.
Mullen also said there are no plans to add any additional U.S.
forces in Iraq despite recent violence, and that plans are still on
track to continue withdrawing troops through the end of July.
Asked if he thought the Iraqi offensive against militiamen in
Barsa was a success, Mullen said it was too soon to evaluate.
"I'm not prepared to say who won or who didn't," he told a
Pentagon news conference. "I think it was significant in the fact
that they really took a step forward to provide for there own."
