Al Anbar Rejects and Ejects al-Qaeda

The deputy commander of Multi-National Force-West and the governor of Al-Anbar province held a press conference at the Combined Press Information Center, May 22, 2007.

Their message was simple - “There are dramatic changes in Al-Anbar,” said Allen. “The Anbaris have rejected al-Qaeda."

“The security improvements have been brought about by a groundswell of opposition to al-Qaeda, represented in the fact that just in a year, the police forces in Al-Anbar have grown from about 2,000 to 14,500,” he added.

As tribal and elder leaders in Al-Anbar province offer their sons to combat terrorism through the Iraqi Army or Iraqi Police, Coalition forces are optimistic about the overall situation in the province.

“A partnership exists today in Al-Anbar province between Coalition forces, the Iraqi police and Iraqi Army,” said Allen. “By and large, al-Qaeda has been expelled out of the population centers.”

While the Al-Anbar province has improved economically and in security, al-Qaeda continues to attack Iraqi and Coalition forces.

“There are still some security issues, and there will be spectacular attacks by al-Qaeda to gain headlines and to grab attention,” said Allen.

With the arrival of more Coalition troops to support Al-Anbar in pursuing al-Qaeda, the Al-Anbar provincial government is expected to focus more on reconstruction and ultimately returning to normalcy.