Our
strategy in Iraq is clear: We're hunting down deadly terrorist leaders.
We're conducting aggressive counterterrorism operations in the areas
where the terrorists are concentrated. We are constantly adapting our
tactics to the changing tactics of the terrorists, and we're training
more Iraqi forces to assume increasing responsibility for their
country's security.
The growing size and increasing capability of the Iraqi security
forces are helping our coalition address a challenge we have faced since
the beginning of the war. It used to be that after we cleared the
terrorists out of a city there were not enough qualified Iraqi troops to
maintain control, so if we left to conduct missions in other areas of
Iraq, the terrorists would try to move back in. Now the increasing
number of more capable Iraqi troops has allowed us to keep a better hold
on the cities we have taken from the terrorists. The Iraqi troops know
their people and their language, and they know who the terrorists are.
By leaving Iraqi units in the cities we have cleared out, we can keep
those cities safe, while moving on to hunt down the terrorists in other
parts of the country.
We used this approach recently in Iraq's northwest region where Iraqi
and coalition forces targeted an area that was one of the main routes
for foreign terrorists entering Iraq from Syria. During operations in
the key town of Tal Afar, Iraqi security forces outnumbered coalition
forces for the first time in a major offensive operation. Because of our
joint efforts, hundreds of insurgents and terrorists have been killed,
or captured, or flushed out, and our continued efforts will make it more
difficult for foreign terrorists to enter Iraq.
As part of our strategy, Iraqi forces have stayed behind in Tal Afar
to ensure that the terrorists cannot return and regroup. And coalition
and Iraqi troops are pursuing the terrorists in western Iraq, working to
deny al Qaeda a safe haven there, and to stop terrorists from crossing
into the country through Syria.
I'm encouraged by the increasing size and capability of the Iraqi
security forces. Today they have more than 100 battalions operating
throughout the country, and our commanders report that the Iraqi forces
are serving with increasing effectiveness. In fact, this week coalition
forces were able to turn over security responsibility for one of Iraq's
largest cities, Karbala, to Iraqi soldiers. As Iraqi forces show they're
capable of fighting the terrorists, they are earning the trust and
confidence of the Iraqi people, which will ensure the success of a free
and democratic Iraq.
More difficult and dangerous work still lies ahead. The terrorists
have a history of escalating their attacks before Iraq's major political
milestones, and two elections are fast approaching. In two weeks, Iraqis
will vote on a democratic constitution, and if that constitution is
approved, they will return to the polls later this year to elect a fully
constitutional government.
As Iraqis take these next steps on the path to freedom and democracy,
the terrorists will do everything they can to stop this progress and try
to break our will. They will fail. Defeating the terrorists in Iraq will
require more time and more sacrifice. Yet all Americans can have
confidence in the military commanders who are leading the effort in
Iraq, and in the troops under their command. They have made important
gains in recent weeks and months; they are adapting our strategy to meet
the needs on the ground; and they're helping us to bring victory in the
war on terror.
Thank you for listening.