Iraq army takes control of Salahuddin

US-led coalition forces in Iraq handed over operational control of the central Salahuddin province to the Iraqi army's fourth division on Monday.

The handover marked the second divisional transfer of power to Iraqi control since September 7.

Earlier, coalition forces had handed over control of Iraq's armed forces command to the government.

The country's ten military divisions include around 1,30,000 troops, and despite the transfer of operational control most still remain under American control.

In a news conference in Baghdad on Monday, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-said, "It is well known that Iraq has been facing a terrorist assault. And whenever progress has taken place in the political process, the terrorists escalate their attacks on civilians and Iraqis".

"The escalation of terrorist attacks has been obvious in the past few months of this year".

He added that Iraqi forces will take over security responsibility for the southern Dhi Qar province on Thursday.

In July, British troops had handed control of southern Muthana province to Iraq. (AP)
NDTV