Iraqi “triangle of death” safe to be handed back

US forces have handed over an area of Iraq they once described as “the triangle of death”. Amid the pomp of a military parade the small province of Babil, otherwise known as Babylon, has been declared safe enough for Iraqi troops to take charge. It is the 12th of 18 provinces so far to have been handed back to Iraqi military control.

Lieutenant General Lloyd Austen, commander of US combat Forces said: “The Multinational corps remains committed to supporting Babil in the future. Just a year ago this province was experiencing well over 20 attacks per week, and today attacks are down well over 80 percent.”

At the handover ceremony the Iraqi National Security adviser said the province of Wasit would also be handed over within days. With violence in Iraq at a four year low and the transfer of Babil, it means that only Baghdad, and four northern provinces have daily US patrols.

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