The Iraqi Defense Ministry has incorporated 80 new officers, specialized in defusing bombs and booby-trapped cars, into the army forces. A ministry statement said Thursday that the 80 officers had received ample training and were well-equipped to handle and defuse explosive devices and booby-trapped cars.It noted that bombings had dropped over the past period due to the inclusion of trained personnel among army ranks.
Bombings are a major concern for both civilians and army forces in Iraq, and the Multi-National Force had recently announced it would replace all Humvees with armored vehicles that were resistant to explosive devices.