US Col. Steven Ferrari, a commander of the Joint Area Support Group Baghdad shakes hands with Brigadier Emad Yaseen, commander of the Iraqi Army’s Baghdad Brigade, during a hand-over ceremony at the ‘Green Zone’ in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009. Iraqis took control over the ‘Green Zone’ Thursday. Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the handover of the heavily fortified Green Zone and the presidential palace is the most visible sign his country has regained its sovereignty. (AP Ph

Iraq takes control of Green Zone

BBC, 1 January 2009, Iraq has taken control of security in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone after a UN mandate for troops expired. The end of the UN mandate – put into place soon after the invasion in March 2003 – means Iraq will now take greater control of its own security.

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