BAGHDAD — The Iraqi military has turned down several requests from American forces to move unescorted through Baghdad and conduct a raid since the transition of responsibility for urban security at the end of last month, an Iraqi military commander said Monday.
U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban areas on June 30 under a security agreement with Iraq that requires all U.S. troops to be out of the country by the end of 2011.
Col. Ali Fadhil, a brigade commander in Baghdad, compared the new restrictions on the U.S. military to “house arrest” on bases. However other Iraqi officials said U.S. troops outside of cities are still free to move without Iraqi approval.
Outside urban areas, Americans are assisting with the search and arrest of insurgents, manning checkpoints and continuing ongoing efforts to train Iraqi forces — from medics to helicopter pilots. U.S. soldiers recently advised Iraqi soldiers during a seven-hour humanitarian aid drop in Diyala province.
The U.S. military in Iraq had no immediate comment Monday on the relationship with its Iraqi counterparts. But it has said previously it remains available to assist them and has noted progress despite lingering questions about the Iraqi military’s resolve and training.
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