Iraqi security forces take control of cities with confidence

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by Xinhua writers Fu Yiming and Gao Shan

BAGHDAD, June 30 (Xinhua) -- What are added to Baghdad's usually tensional streets -- featured by countless checkpoints, blast walls and steel wire that fend off suicide and car bombs -- are more fully armed soldiers compounded with both U.S. and Iraqi armed vehicles.

Dusty air that coincides with the shadow of terror by a series of deadly blasts that claimed more than 200 lives in the past few days still lingers.

People are told not to take to places of crowds, for fear of being the next victims. That's why people in uniforms -- U.S. and Iraqi soldiers and police -- are largely the only visible here and there.

Fully armed Ahmad Sobhi fastened his helmet and windshield glasses while manning a machine gun on top of his pickup and scanning the dusty street.

For him, today is meaningful -- the last day he might cooperate with U.S. soldiers, after which he will patrol in Baghdad streets with his Iraqi fellows only.

Thinking for guarding his own country and serve for his compatriots without the assistance of U.S. counterparts, Sobhi seemingly felt the weight of responsibility assigned upon him.

Another Iraqi soldier came by and said with a perceivable sign of complexity to Xinhua correspondent that U.S. soldiers will leave soon and they shall no longer see them in cities.

Iraqi civilians and security celebrate on the streets of the southern city of Basra, some 550 kms from the capital Baghdad, as US troops withdraw from Iraqi towns and cities across the nation.(AFP/Essam al-Sudani)