The Washington Post and CNN are spinning the planned transition of Basra, Iraq from British control to Iraqi control as a “pull-out” in the face of their failure to deal with an increased militia presence there. Again, an illustration that the media wants it both ways. They insist Iraq must take more responsibility for its own security and when it does they paint it as a failure of the coalition forces to maintain security!

Hugh Hewitt spoke last week with Major General James E. Simmons, Deputy Commanding General for Support of Multi-National Forces in Iraq. Here’s part of his interview: 

HH: Now there were reports out of Basra a couple of weeks ago that after the Brits have withdrawn that the radicals had taken control of the city. Are those reports accurate?

JS: They are not accurate, and that is a fabrication at best. This was a planned turnover of the Palace and the PJCC to Iraqi control, to the Iraqi legitimate government forces. It was done to standard with, and to well-trained, well-equipped Iraqi Security Forces. There were some peaceful demonstrations that were celebratory in nature, but at no time was any Coalition forces threatened, and the local Iraqi officials under General Mohan, kept a good handle on the situation in Basra.

HH: So what is the situation then in Basra, because that Washington Post story made it sound like the Wild West without the saloons.

JS: It was a demonstration of OMS, or Shia people there that were celebrating, to the best of my knowledge, the return of an Iraqi landmark to the Iraqi government.