Updates on Iraq

Reuters:

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - A U.S. commander said on Friday he was confident American and Iraqi troops can take control of the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi without a large-scale offensive like that used to seize Falluja in 2004.

Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times:

In Taji, using rusty but refurbished Warsaw Pact armored vehicles and tanks, the Iraqi army's 9th Mechanized Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Bashar Mahmoud Ayoub, will try to quell insurgent, sectarian and tribal violence in an area that has bedeviled U.S. forces.

"We know that the insurgents are tough, dangerous and strong," Ayoub said. "But the Iraqi forces start with the trust of the people. When I deal with Iraqis, it's completely different than when Americans deal with them."

The Washington Times:

U.S. war commanders think some level of American forces will be needed in Iraq until 2016 and those forces will receive continued support from the vast majority of Iraqis.