US says more Iraqi forces active but attacks on rise
The US Defense Department reported gains in developing Iraq’s security forces but also a rise in attacks, higher casualties and greater sectarian violence. The Pentagon said 71 Iraqi security force battalions are now capable of leading counter-insurgency operations, up from 53 three months ago. But officials who briefed reporters on the quarterly progress report to Congress said the number of battalions capable of operating fully independently of coalition forces was being kept secret. Full Story