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Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009

4 Americans killed as Iraq takes over its own security

BAGHDAD — On a historic day for Americans and Iraqis alike — a rare if not unprecedented handoff of military sovereignty in an active war zone — the violence that's marred six years of U.S.-led occupation struck again.

Four American service members were killed Monday in a still-sketchy incident, and 28 Iraqis died Tuesday in a bombing in the northern city of Kirkuk, which has become the epicenter of recent insurgent bomb attacks.

The U.S. military command refused to provide any details of how the American troops died. Security officials in Kirkuk said that many women and children were among the casualties there, who included at least 93 wounded. The carnage was caused by a bomb concealed in a Mercedes sedan that exploded at 5:30 p.m. in a market. Two weeks ago, a truck bomb killed 72 people and wounded 135 in Kirkuk.

The violence cast a shadow over the ceremonies and celebrations Tuesday on a national holiday that marked the transfer of security responsibility to Iraq from the U.S. The passing of the military baton proceeded, but only after both sides avoided a 24-hour miscalculation over the timetable.

The American and Iraqi militaries had different notions of when the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from major cities would start. The Americans thought that "after June 30," as written in the status of forces agreement, meant 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 1. The Iraqis — whose timeline ultimately prevailed — interpreted the dawn of their new authority as when the clock ticked past midnight to Tuesday, June 30. That's one reason that so many Iraqis celebrated the handoff of authority Monday night with singing, dancing and parties in their streets and parks.

In the end, once both sides realized the communications breakdown, the Americans simply told their forces to start abiding by the new rules 23 hours and 59 minutes earlier than they'd planned. No major incidents were attributed to the near-fumble of the handover.

"The Americans showed trepidation as it neared midnight," said U.S. Maj. Scott Nauman, standing in one of the new joint operations centers in Baghdad, "and then excitement. It was: 'It's yours. Good luck. Call us if you need us.' "

Iraq formally took control in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki with minimal American participation. Maliki and senior Iraqi military officials and members of parliament attended a military parade in the morning at a park in Baghdad's well-guarded International Zone. Some U.S. officers also sat under a tent and watched Iraqi military units stream past the khaki-colored memorial to Iraq's Unknown Soldier, built by Saddam Hussein.

Maliki said the withdrawal of American combat forces from "cities and towns confirms the correctness of our vision and our firm position since the start of the negotiations process: that Iraqi sovereignty is a red line that cannot be passed over in any way."

No Americans spoke at the ceremony.

The celebration was muted in Baghdad's Karrada neighborhood, with light traffic and children playing soccer on side streets. Iraqi security vehicles set up hundreds of checkpoints throughout the city decorated like Christmas trees. Police SUVs were festooned with ribbons, streamers and artificial flowers.

"Sure, we are happy not to see them (American forces) anymore, but we want to get rid of them forever," said Yousof Othman, a 45-year-old calligrapher, in Sadr City, a crowded slum in eastern Baghdad.