Operation Banzeen nit ensures no illegal activity at gas station

Photo By Spc. Courtney Marulli | Company D, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment has been providing a constant presence at the Mashtal gas station as part of Operation Banzeen. The operation's focus is to have a constant American presence at the gas station as well as the Rustamiyah gas station in order to keep the Madhi Army militia members from obtaining and selling gas illegally on the black market.  

RUSTAMIYAH, IRAQ

08.10.2007

Story by Spc. Courtney Marulli 

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

By Spc. Courtney Marulli
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq — Operation Banzeen has been launched by Company D, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, and is meant to ensure that no one affiliated with illegal militias is taking gasoline to sell it on the black market.

Company D, 2-16, currently attached to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, kicked off its operation watching over the Mashtal gas station this week.

1st Lt. Thomas M. Warth, a platoon leader for Co. D, said the Madhi Army militia had been using these gas stations in the area as a way to get money in order to buy weapons, explosively formed projectiles and to train snipers.

Warth, a native of Manhattan, Kan., said Co. A used to raid the gas station once a week, but once they would leave, militia members would come back in and continue with their operations.

Under Operation Banzeen the plan is to have the two companies show up at their respective gas stations daily, staying there for several hours to have a presence.

"I think it's actually working, too, because the people used to cut each other off and there was chaos at the gas station," he said.

The people at the end of the line would wait all day and never make it into the gas station. Now, there is fluidity to the traffic and everyone can come and get the gas they need, according to Warth.

With the coalition presence and assistance by some members of the Iraqi security forces, the insurgents have not been able to use the gas station and pocket the money like they used to. They are losing money, Wrath said, which means they are not able to produce as many EFPs.

"The people who run the gas station definitely want us there," he said.

Since the Americans started showing up, Wrath said the gas station owners haven't seen the insurgents come through.

"The gas station is too important to them (the Mahdi Army) to blow it up," Wrath said.

He added the American presence is already helping the neighborhood, and that the presence will continue for the time being.

"The people like it," he said. "Before they would get charged more by the Mahdi Army and pushed around. Not anymore."

• Date Taken: 08.10.2007
• Date Posted: 08.10.2007 07:32
• Story ID: 11726
• Location: RUSTAMIYAH, IQ