Kirkuk Goes Badly for AQ

Violence in Iraq’s Kirkuk province has plummetted by 70%, and Coalition forces have “virtually destroyed” AQ.

Army Col. David Paschal, commander of 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, noted four developments:

-- Precision targeting against insurgent leadership;

-- The growing capabilities and capacities of the Iraqi police and army;

-- Establishment of a “Sons of Iraq” program, in which citizens aid in the security effort; and

-- Partnership with Kirkuk’s provincial reconstruction team, composed of State Department and military personnel working along with experts from other governmental and nongovernmental agencies to aid local development.

The Coalition has killed or captured 20 high-value targets. U.S. soldiers also captured 63 “persons of interest” in the area.

The Iraqi security forces have improved dramatically and the Sons of Iraq program has contributed 400 men from two months of police training.

Kirkuk is the northern oil center of Iraq and it has exceeded all the pre-war level of exports.

Kirkuk may turn over provincial control to the Iraqis in November or December.

Finally, the Iraqi government also is hosting a small-loans program, anywhere from about $2,500 to $10,000, for small businesses to operate.