But the officer criticized his detachment's duty, to operate stationary checkpoints and search people and cars.

Already, the group's soldiers are not permitted to carry weapons in the open or operate checkpoints, two prohibitions that seem largely to be obeyed.

Russian Army troops are supposed to operate checkpoints along the roads.

Police units operate checkpoints on bridges and, armed with machine guns, patrol the mountains and border areas.

Iraqi forces operated checkpoints all over the capital and slowed traffic to a crawl.

Militia members operate checkpoints within and between major cities.

Instead, Iraqi security forces were operating checkpoints along the streets, warily watching passing cars.

The same men carrying the same guns will continue to operate checkpoints on the city's streets.

Until the new Iraqi battalion demonstrates it can operate checkpoints and other positions, marines will continue to maintain a strong presence, military officials said.

That number would include others who operated checkpoints and worked independently of the Americans.