Iraq War News Updates -- January 27, 2009

HUSSENIYAH TOWN - U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Baker, left, and Spc. Christopher Cumbie provide security in Husseniyah, Iraq, Jan. 22, 2009. Baker and Cumbie are assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class J.B. Jaso III

Iraqi Army 'Ready And Able' -- BBC News

In the first entry of his week-long diary, BBC diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams joins British troops on a raid near Basra as they witness the progress made by the Iraqi Army.

Up before dawn as word comes of an Iraqi army search operation at Az-Zubeir, south east of the city.

The operation involves 50 Iraqi Army Brigade, who our British hosts from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment are mentoring, so we are invited along to watch.

We race through the deserted streets of Iraq's second largest city, not really knowing what the morning will hold.

The British MiTTs (Military Transition Teams) are not here to direct Iraqi army operations - those days are long gone - but to observe and offer discreet advice.

To keep a low profile, the Brits leave their imposing Mastiff armoured personnel carriers behind and ride in soft-skinned Iraqi jeeps.

They do not want to draw attention to themselves, a lesson from the days when highly visible British soldiers became a magnet for militia attacks.

The job of "mitting" will end soon, probably well before the final British departure date of 31 July, and this certainly feels like the beginning of the end.

Read more ....

More News On Iraq

Iraq to close borders, conduct vehicle ban on election day -- China View
Borders shut, cars banned for Iraq vote -- Reuters
Iraqi judge promises reliable polls -- Press TV
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Confident In Election Security Efforts -- AFPS
Fair Election in Iraqi Province Threatened -- New York Times
Stiff security planned for Iraqi elections -- CNN
Reduced Violence Aids Iraq Reconstruction Efforts, General Says -- AFPS
Iraqi PM says US troops could pull out before deadline -- AFP
FACTBOX - Security developments in Iraq -- Reuters
Terror is Making a Comeback in Iraq -- Alertnet
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,236 -- AP
Iraq's Next Vote -- Washington Post editorial
Obama and Iraq -- Wall Street Journal editorial