U.S. Special Forces prepare to leave Iraq

After years of training by their U.S. counterparts, Iraq’s Special Operation Forces are taking the lead in missions targeting extremists in the most dangerous parts of Iraq.

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Jan. 26, 2011

A "suspect" is arrested by special forces during training at Marez base in Mosul, Iraq.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 26, 2011

Iraqi Special Operation Forces are trained by U.S. Special Forces at Marez base in Mosul. A house is being built to train for house raids.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 26, 2011

Special forces in training at Marez base in Mosul. U.S. Special Forces have shifted into an advisory role as their Iraqi counterparts have taken the lead. “In the beginning, we did the planning and the hits,” says a U.S. Special Forces captain. “Now we just give advice after the mission is over.”

Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR / For The Washington Post

Jan. 26, 2011

Iraqi Special Operation Forces are trained in house raids at Marez base in Mosul.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

Under the guidance of their U.S. counterparts, Iraqi special forces raid a house in Tall Afar. They were looking for a bombmaking suspect.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

Iraqi special forces under the guidance of U.S. Special Forces raid a house in Tall Afar. The person they are looking for is suspected of making roadside bombs and car bombs.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

Iraqi special forces under the guidance of U.S. Special Forces raid a house in Tall Afar. The Iraqi special forces were formed using $237 million in U.S. aid, and some Iraqis have worried that the Iraq government is not investing in them.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

Iraqi Special Operation Forces raid a house in Tall Afar. Some U.S. officials have worried that the special forces could become a private militia for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and in February, Human Rights Watch said elite forces under the control of Maliki were operating secret detention sites in Baghdad where prisoners were being abused.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

A house raid in Tall Afar, where the Americans remain advisers. “We remain in the background,” one U.S. officer said. “But we will use deadly force if needed.”

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

Special forces speak to a man during a house raid in Tall Afar. The Iraqis “don’t just drive there and pick up the guy,” a U.S. Special Forces intelligence officer said. All suspects must first be read a warrant for their arrest written by a judge in Baghdad, he said.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

Jan. 29, 2011

A man is detained during a house raid in Tall Afar. Suspects are read their rights, and after a suspect is taken into custody, the Iraqi source who supplied information about the suspect’s whereabouts must confirm that the correct person has been detained.

Kadir van Lohuizen / For The Washington Post

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