BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, March 22, 2005 -- Iraq, with some assistance from U.S. trainers, is approaching the halfway point in fielding its Special Weapons and Tactics teams to each governorate.
Seven teams are now trained and equipped; two others are currently in training, according to officials from the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq. The MNSTC-I Civilian Police Assistance Training Team plans to provide a SWAT team for each of 20 major Iraqi cities, with at least one in each governorate.
SWAT teams in several major cities are already making a difference, according to reports. SWAT teams were used as quick reaction forces in Najaf and Al Kut during the national elections and in Basra for a major British-sponsored meeting of Shia and Sunni clerics with local officials and tribal leaders.
The Basra SWAT team was also a major player in a successful raid on a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory in the city.
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