Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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December 29, 2007

Iraqi Interior Ministry: Most of Al-Qaida Network Destroyed in 2007
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1ABD6D8:A6F02AD83191E160C6480AC64D7292187F0EB4B66EA3A89D& Spokesman says
increased Iraqi patrols played key role in improved security situation





Iraqi soldier controls traffic at checkpoint near al-Sinak bridge,
central Baghdad, 29 Dec 2007The Iraqi Interior Ministry says 75
percent of al-Qaida in Iraq's terrorist network has been destroyed in
the past 12 months.

An Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul Kareem Khalaf, told a news
conference in Baghdad Saturday that increased Iraqi patrols played a
key role in the improved security situation. He said the terrorist
network's activity is now limited to areas north of the capital.

He did not elaborate on how the percentage was determined.







Gen. David Petraeus appears at a graduation ceremony for 700 Iraqi
National Police cadets in Baghdad, Iraq, 18 Dec 2007Elsewhere in the
capital, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, told
reporters Saturday that al-Qaida is still a top concern despite some
success against it. He said the U.S. military regards the group as the
most significant challenge threatening Iraq.

Also Saturday, the U.S. military said coalition forces killed three
terrorists and detained about 40 suspects in separate operations
targeting al-Qaida in central and northern Iraq.

The military said another operation in southern Iraq focused on what
the military calls "Special Groups" that concentrate on
rocket-propelled grenade and mortar attacks against coalition forces.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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