Bush touts progress in Anbar

President Bush on Monday announced that Iraq will assume responsibility for security in Anbar province, an area that was seen as one of Iraq’s most dangerous last year. 

Bush noted that, with Iraqis leading on security operations, U.S. troops would move to an “overwatch” role.

{mosads}“Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq,” the president stated. “Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center, and its leaders intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home. Today, Anbar is no longer lost to al Qaeda – it is al Qaeda that lost Anbar.”

Bush added that U.S. and Iraqi forces as well as “the brave tribes and other civilians from Anbar who worked alongside them” deserve the credit for the transformation.

The president also pointed out that 11 of 18 provinces have been turned over to provincial Iraqi control.