U.S. Army Spc. Loren Combs checks her surroundings during Operation Asfah Ramlyah, a combined clearance operation in Sumer Al-Ghadier, in the 9 Nissan district of eastern Baghdad, May 28, 2009. Combs is a medic assigned to the Brigade Support Battalion's Company C. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alex LiceaUnease As Iraqis Prepare To Take Over In Cities -- Yahoo News/AP
BAGHDAD – Three years ago, the U.S. thinned out its presence in Baghdad and Iraqi forces could not stem the tide of sectarian fighting. By the end of June, Iraq's forces will again be in control of their cities — and many Iraqis wonder if they are up to the task.
Publicly, the U.S. military insists it has full confidence in Iraq's army and police to cope with security challenges after the June 30 deadline for American combat troops to leave Baghdad, Mosul and other cities.
Privately, however, some U.S. and Iraqi officials acknowledge no one can say with certainty whether Iraq's police and soldiers can perform until they assume the responsibility.
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