Pentagon cites Iraqi army gains, losses(Zero fully independant battalions)

[sabra]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/breaking_news/13954682.htm

Pentagon cites Iraqi army gains, losses

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The number of Iraqi army battalions judged by their American trainers to be capable of leading the fight against the insurgency has grown by nearly 50 percent since last September, but the number operating with no U.S. help has slipped from one to none, senior Pentagon officials said Friday.

The U.S. military says its short-term goal is to get more Iraqi units trained to a level where they can lead the fight, since that allows American troops to focus on other tasks besides combat. But in the longer run the Iraqis will have to reach a level of full independence in order for American troops to leave the country.

In a report to Congress assessing the Iraq situation, the Pentagon also asserted Friday that the insurgency is losing strength, becoming less effective in its attacks and failing to undermine the development of an Iraqi democracy.

The report was written last week, before the bombing of a Shiite shrine and a wave of deadly reprisal attacks. It is the third in a series of reports that Congress requires from the Pentagon every three months.