Iraq gains fragile, says new US commander — Exit Petraeus, enter Odierno

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq: Gen. Raymond Odierno took charge of US-led forces in Iraq yesterday from David Petraeus, warning that security gains in the country were “fragile and reversible.” Petraeus, the general credited with pulling Iraq back from an all-out civil war, handed over command of the 146,000-strong US force at a ceremony at a Saddam-era palace turned US base near Baghdad airport.

But Odierno, a towering four-star general, said he was aware of the tough task ahead despite a dramatic fall in violence attributed to a military “surge” strategy.

“Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first. However, we must realize that these gains are fragile and reversible,” said Odierno.

On the eve of the transfer, Odierno was given a powerful reminder of the violence when a series of bomb blasts killed at least 34 people.

“He knows we are at a pivotal moment, where progress remains fragile and caution should be the order of the day,” US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said as he handed the multinational force Iraq flag from Petraeus to Odierno. “And as we proceed further into the endgame here, I am sure he will make tough but necessary decisions to protect our national interest.”

Petraeus becomes the new chief of Central Command with responsibility for US troops from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia, including the conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Iraq was spiraling into all-out civil war when Petraeus took over as commander in February 2007, almost four years after Saddam Hussein was toppled by US-led invading forces.

But since late last year violence has fallen to a four-year low, and much of the credit has gone to the counterinsurgency strategies of the 55-year-old Petraeus.

Gates said Petraeus took charge when “darkness had descended on this land.”

“Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace. Around the world, questions mounted about whether a new strategy — or any strategy, for that matter — could make a real difference.

“You have dealt enemies of the United States and Iraq a tremendous, if not mortal blow. History will regard you as one of our nation’s great battle captains.”