Baghdad operations command: New Year's plans and checkpoints removal

Baghdad-INA


Baghdad Operations Command announced Wednesday future plans to remove other checkpoints in the capital soon, revealing new information about the recent escape attempt of three prisoners from Taji prison.
 
"An order was issued from Baghdad Operations Headquarters to the command-related detachments to protect areas that citizens are likely to visit to celebrate New Year's Day, as well as to protect churches where mass is held on New Year's Day," Baghdad Operations Commander Lt. Gen. Ahmed Salim told The Iraqi News Agency (INA).
 
"During the past period, more than 75 checkpoints have been removed, which has positively reflected on the street and traffic momentum," Salim said, adding that "there are future plans to increase a number of checkpoints, some of which have been identified, but gradually."
 
"Over the past four months, there has been no security breach inside the capital Baghdad or its belt because of the great effort sought by our forces in the Baghdad Belt, specifically north of the capital, as part of the 6th Iraqi Army Division, which is making a great effort in cooperation with intelligence agencies operating in the region," the Baghdad operations commander said.
 
 “Regarding the withdrawal of the international coalition combat forces from Iraq, There is no direct coordination with the international coalition forces and the Baghdad Operations Command, but when we need support, a request is made to lead the joint operations that are supporting them," Salim said.
 
On the recent escape attempt of prisoners from Taji prison, Salim said, "The Operations Command is responsible for the outer ring of the prison and the escape from within".
 
"It is the residents of Sheikh Hamad village in Tarmiya who helped the security forces track down and arrest the fugitives, which indicates cooperation with the people and I was very pleased with this assistance," he said.