Iraq's defence minister announced a massive security operation today that will see more than 40,000 Iraqi troops deployed in the capital to hunt down insurgents and their weapons.
Interior Minister Bayan Jabor
Sadoun al-Dulaimi said the force would include troops from the interior and defence ministries. It would be by far the largest anti-insurgent operation carried out in Baghdad by Iraqi security forces.
"We will divide Baghdad into seven main areas, and the number of the forces who will take part in the operation from the interior and the defence ministry will be more than 40,000 security men," he told a news conference.
He said it would be the first phase of a security crackdown that could eventually cover the whole country.
"We will also impose a concrete blockade around Baghdad, like a bracelet around an arm, God willing, and God be with us in our crackdown on the terrorists' infrastructure. No one will be able to penetrate this blockade," Mr Dulaimi said.
"You will witness unprecedentedly strict security measures."
Interior Minister Bayan Jabor, appearing at the same news conference, said the operation was designed to change the government's stance when it came to the two-year-old insurgency.
"These operations will aim at turning the government's role from defensive to offensive," he said.