The US military is preparing to hand control of Anbar province, once the centre of Iraq's Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi government.
The US military is preparing to hand control of Anbar province, once the centre of Iraq's Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi government.
The province began a transformation in late 2006 as former insurgents turned against al-Qaeda and became US allies.
The province began a transformation in late 2006 as former insurgents turned against al-Qaeda and became US allies.
More than a quarter of all US soldiers killed in Iraq have died in Anbar, which is Iraq's biggest province.
More than a quarter of all US soldiers killed in Iraq have died in Anbar, which is Iraq's biggest province.
With Anbar's transfer Iraqi forces will control security in 11 of the country's 18 provinces.
With Anbar's transfer Iraqi forces will control security in 11 of the country's 18 provinces.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says the handover represents a significant milestone for America in Iraq.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says the handover represents a significant milestone for America in Iraq.
But he says there are major concerns about whether the well-armed Sunni tribesmen who helped the US fight al-Qaeda can ever work comfortably with the national government of Iraq.
But he says there are major concerns about whether the well-armed Sunni tribesmen who helped the US fight al-Qaeda can ever work comfortably with the national government of Iraq.
Handover delays
Handover delays
A top US commander in Iraq, Marine Maj Gen John Kelly, told the Associated Press that US troop levels in Anbar would come down, but there would not be an instant or dramatic reduction.
A top US commander in Iraq, Marine Maj Gen John Kelly, told the Associated Press that US troop levels in Anbar would come down, but there would not be an instant or dramatic reduction.
"The marine force [in Anbar] will be smaller soon. I don't think it will be overnight. I think it will happen incrementally."
"The marine force [in Anbar] will be smaller soon. I don't think it will be overnight. I think it will happen incrementally."
The US military currently has 28,000 soldiers in Anbar, down from 37,000 in February, according to US figures, while the number of Iraqi soldiers and police has reportedly risen to 37,000, from 5,000 three years ago.
The US military currently has 28,000 soldiers in Anbar, down from 37,000 in February, according to US figures, while the number of Iraqi soldiers and police has reportedly risen to 37,000, from 5,000 three years ago.
"Our forces are ready to take the security responsibility," Majid al-Assafi, Anbar's new police chief, told AFP news agency. "They are controlling the situation."
"Our forces are ready to take the security responsibility," Majid al-Assafi, Anbar's new police chief, told AFP news agency. "They are controlling the situation."
The handover of Anbar - whose main urban centres are the former insurgency strongholds Falluja and Ramada - has been postponed several times. Initially scheduled for March, the transfer was delayed until June before being pushed back again.
The handover of Anbar - whose main urban centres are the former insurgency strongholds Falluja and Ramada - has been postponed several times. Initially scheduled for March, the transfer was delayed until June before being pushed back again.
Falluja once had a reputation for lawlessness and brutality
Falluja once had a reputation for lawlessness and brutality
US officials blamed June's delay on a sandstorm and then another hold-up in July on a disagreement between the province's governor and the Iraqi government in Baghdad over the control of security forces.
US officials blamed June's delay on a sandstorm and then another hold-up in July on a disagreement between the province's governor and the Iraqi government in Baghdad over the control of security forces.
Following the 2003 US-led invasion, many members of Anbar's Sunni tribes turned to al-Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent groups.
Following the 2003 US-led invasion, many members of Anbar's Sunni tribes turned to al-Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent groups.
The ambush in Falluja in March 2004 of four US contractors - whose burned corpses were dragged through the streets - was a low point for American efforts to pacify the province.
The ambush in Falluja in March 2004 of four US contractors - whose burned corpses were dragged through the streets - was a low point for American efforts to pacify the province.
But in late 2006, Anbar began a dramatic change after Sunni tribal leaders turned against al-Qaeda, accusing the movement of attempting to dominate the insurgency.
But in late 2006, Anbar began a dramatic change after Sunni tribal leaders turned against al-Qaeda, accusing the movement of attempting to dominate the insurgency.
Backed by US money, the Sunni tribal leaders formed "Awakening Councils", and began to take charge of security.
Backed by US money, the Sunni tribal leaders formed "Awakening Councils", and began to take charge of security.
Anbar became a much less dangerous place, but the Awakening Councils remain a separate military and political force in the country.
Anbar became a much less dangerous place, but the Awakening Councils remain a separate military and political force in the country.
Do you live in Anbar province? What do you think of the handover of control to Iraqi troops in Anbar? Send us your thoughts using the form below:
Do you live in Anbar province? What do you think of the handover of control to Iraqi troops in Anbar? Send us your thoughts using the form below:
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