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By Maj. George Hammar
Military Transition Team 0840
KARBALA PROVINCE, Iraq – Members of the 4TH Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division along with Military Transition Team 840, attached to 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, took part in combined operations security for the Shia pilgrimage of Ashura in Karbala province, Jan. 14.
MiTT team members advised their IA counterparts and facilitated discussion between the IA and the Karbala police directorate on the plan to prevent violence during the pilgrimage. They spent the better part of a day inspecting IA checkpoints and conducting reconnaissance of the pilgrimage routes.
MiTT 840 is currently the only 3rd Infantry Division force permanently stationed in Karbala province. As a result, the team works with the IA and all of Karbala's Iraqi security forces.
"This is a significant milestone in Iraq's history, proving that when Iraqis put aside sectarian and political differences and unite as free Iraqis they can defeat tyranny and build a safe, secure and prosperous country," said Lt. Col. Eric Roberts, commander of the MiTT 840. "Fourth Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division is working side by side with their Karbala police brothers as an example for all Iraqi security forces to emulate."
A safe Ashura is key to validating Karbala's ability to secure itself. Karbala province became PIC or Provisional Iraqi Control, Oct. 29, 2007.
Ashura is their first major Shia holiday since they went PIC. For the last four years there has been violence during the Ashura according to Master Sgt. Tom Chambers, MiTT 840 intelligence advisor.
With the threat of violence hanging over the Iraqi security forces, Roberts noted, "I'm extremely pleased with the cooperation between Brig. Gen. Imad and Brig. Gen. Ra'ad, Karbala police commander. Together they have devised a plan that addresses all possible contingencies, incorporating lessons learned from previous events."
Iraqi Staff Brig. Gen. Imad Majhood Somyday, commander of the 4/8 IA, said his forces have spent many hours preparing for Ashura and the brigade leadership is committed to ensuring that the pilgrims arrive to Karbala's holy shrines peacefully and without incident.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2008 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 15546 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 328 |
| Downloads: | 304 |
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