The U.S. military will transfer control of Iraq's once-volatile western al-Anbar province to Iraqi troops in coming days, military officials said Wednesday, noting improved security in the region. “We believe the province could turn over to Iraqi control in just a few days,” U.S. Marine Commandant James Conway told reporters at the Pentagon. “The change in the al-Anbar province is real and perceptible,” Conway said. “Anbar remains a dangerous place, but the ever-growing ability of the Iraqi security forces continues to move us closer to seeing Iraqi control of the province. … They are doing a very good job of this nation-building business” in Anbar. Conway said the two main ground combat units in Anbar represent more than enough force to maintain security after the Iraqis take over because violence has continued to drop. Therefore, Marine forces in western Iraq can be reduced and deployed elsewhere, he said. “It's our view that if there is a stiffer fight going some place else, in a much more expeditionary environment where the Marine air-ground task force really seems to have a true and enduring value, then that's where we need to be,” Conway said. Any decision to reduce Marine forces in Iraq will initially be made by General David Petraeus, who is scheduled to soon present troop-level recommendations to the Pentagon. The opinions of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen also will be considered, and a final decision rests with President George W. Bush.
