Baghdad 'Surge' Security Sweep Is On

Operation Baghdad, the new security sweep promised in President Bush's "surge" strategy is underway.

The New York Times reports that:

“It is ongoing as we speak,” said Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, a spokesman for the American military. “The implementation of the prime minister’s plan has already begun, and will be fully implemented at a later date, having all the parts and pieces that he wants.

“It is not going to be a sudden effort, it will be a gradual effort,” the general added. “People have to be patient. “Portions are already being put in place, and we’ll continue to put more into place as the forces arrive and the assets become available.”

More here.

Explains Bill Roggio at The Fourth Rail:

Technically, the operation actually began in Late December when President Bush ordered additional troops to Iraq. The deployment of additional forces and the building infrastructure for the Baghdad piece of the security operation has just begun. Only a few thousand of the 17,500 U.S. soldiers have moved into Baghdad. Iraqi brigades are still moving into position.

Only two of the many planned Combat Outposts have been set up in Baghdad - one in Doura and another in Ghazaliya. Iraqi Army, police and U.S. soldiers will be stationed in the outposts to secure individual neighborhoods. Iraqi Army and police units are just beginning to take up positions around Sadr City. Most of the opening moves have occurred in the North of Baghdad. The U.S. and Iraqis still have plenty of assets to put in place, assets that likely won't be fully in place until March or later.

More here.

Photograph by Kahlid Mohammed/The Associated Press