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Top Iraqi General Killed in Baghdad

An Iraqi General is dead after a terrorist attack in western Baghdad, only weeks after assuming control of portions of the capital. The commander of the 6th Iraqi Army Division, Maj. Gen. Mubdar Hatim Hazya al-Duleimi, was killed when his convoy came under small-arms fire heading back to his Kadamiyah headquarters.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, says, "General Mubdar was a true Iraqi patriot. His loss will be felt by this command. He was my friend and a brother. His legacy will live on. He leaves behind a professional and capable fighting force that will continue the fight for Iraqi freedom."

Critics of Iraq War policy in the United States point out that Iraqi forces being unable to assume critical security duties for some time to come does not pave the way for what they see as a needed pullout of U.S. troops, and that more must be done to help the Iraqis become self-sufficient. Bush administration officials counter that Iraqi security forces are capable of taking over duties from U.S. troops.