Iraq's Untold Story: Progress in the Southwest

And I don't mean Arizona.

From Defense Link, Army Unit Sees Less Terror Activity in Southwestern Iraq:

After nearly a year since their posting in southwestern Iraq, a U.S. Army commander today said he and his 4,200 soldiers have witnessed decreased terrorist activity in their area of operations.

Brig. Gen. Augustus L. Collins commands the 155th Brigade Combat Team. Since February, his unit has been responsible for security and stability operations in Babil, Karbala and Najaf provinces, with a detachment in eastern Anbar province.

"Actually, the attacks that we have now compared to attacks we had when we first got here and took over our battlespace in February are at least down by 50 percent," Collins told Pentagon reporters during a satellite teleconference....

...his soldiers have netted nearly 1,500 enemy captives and seized 2,800 weapons. Almost 200 attacks occurred monthly in his area almost a year ago, Collins said, compared to about 100 per month now.

Collins said Iraqi citizens and local government efforts also deserve much credit for the reduced terrorist activity.

"When we first got here, the people didn't really talk to us that much," Collins said, "but now they've opened up to us. And they see that the way to peace is through this democratic idea that we're trying to share with them."...

Collins said his troops helped to renovate part of the Najaf Teaching Hospital that now treats 400 patients daily. And after renovations, the city's soccer stadium reopened in October for a game between the Baghdad and Najaf clubs, he said, that attracted 20,000 spectators....

Missed the feature on that...