Written question asked by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 November 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 November 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 November 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trained combat Iraqi troops are deemed capable of battling insurgents without US or UK military help; and how many were deemed capable 12 months ago.

Answer: Of 112 Iraqi Army battalions, 13 are capable of planning, executing and sustaining counter-insurgency operations without coalition support. A further 78 require only minimal support in areas such as planning or logistics. The remainder operate in conjunction with coalition units or are undergoing earlier stages of formation and basic training.In November 2005, one battalion was capable of operating independently of coalition forces, 13 were capable of operating with only minimal support. The remainder were operating alongside coalition units or in the process of being formed.

Secondary information