Iraq removes some of Baghdad’s checkpoints to ease traffic
BAGHDAD — Iraqi authorities have started removing some of the security checkpoints in Baghdad in a bid to ease traffic in the country’s capital with a population of about 6 million people, a senior military commander said Tuesday.
The development appears to reflect the government’s confidence in its ability to secure Baghdad — even as it wages a weeks-long offensive to take back Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, from the Islamic State group.
Baghdad has seen some attacks since the Mosul operation started on October 17, likely IS attempts to divert attention from the fighting.
More than 25 checkpoints and 85 patrols were removed on Tuesday from Baghdad’s eastern side of Rasafa, according to Maj. Gen. Jalil al-Rubaie, who added that more will soon be in the city’s western side.