Australians keep pocket of Baghdad secure

[Nambe]

ASSOCIATED PRESS

--- Australia, which contributed 2,000 troops during the war, has assigned soldiers to this one section of Baghdad to protect its diplomatic mission and provide security.

Others are charged with air traffic control at Baghdad International Airport, and an Australian Navy Frigate is stationed in the Persian Gulf.

Residents were relieved when the Australians began their patrols. Many of the houses in the neighborhood were targeted by looters after the fall of Baghdad in April.

''It's a rich area, so they had a lot of thieves coming here to steal,'' Bird said. ''They like having us here, especially the kids.'' ---

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