Rapid reaction forces withdrawn from Baghdad areas

The Rapid Reaction Force brigade, deployed over the past two days in some areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, have been withdrawn. A source in the Iraqi Interior Ministry said in a statement today that the force was pulled out last night from the Dora, Al Ghazaliya, Al Ameriya, Al A’zamiya, Al Saidiya, the university neighbourhoods and Haifa Street. The source added that the security situation in those areas was not serious, adding that there is significant cooperation from the people of those areas to maintain security. He stressed that the ministry has kept the elements of intelligence at the internal checkpoints in those areas but they will be pulled out later. The forces were deployed two days ago in different parts of the capital, Baghdad in anticipation of a deteriorating security situation against the backdrop of calls for demonstrations and the performance of a united prayers in Baghdad