Multi-National Division–North Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Iraqi security forces reached a major milestone today when the Diyala Operations Command (DOC), an Iraqi headquarters unit that synchronizes Iraqi police, Iraqi army and other security forces in Diyala province, and the 5th Iraqi Army Division were transferred to Iraqi Ground Forces Command control.
This transition is significant, as 5th IAD became the fourth and final IA division transferred from Multi-National Division-North to IGFC control, placing Iraqis in the lead for Diyala security operations.
Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem al-Robiya, DOC commander, said the transfer of authority is a great step for the people of Diyala province, but he also looks forward to continued cooperation with coalition forces.
As part of a validation exercise that preceded the transfer, 5th Iraqi Army Division soldiers, IPs and Baqubah Guardians recently conducted a joint mission to clear al-Qaida in Iraq from several neighborhoods of Baqubah without coalition assistance.
The exercise assessed the headquarters' readiness of its equipment, facilities, manpower and planning, according to Lt. Col. Robert Ault, of the Diyala Operations Command Advisory Team.
Over the past 90 days, the DOC has strengthened under the mentoring of the advisory team, Ault said, and American and Iraqi forces have brought a greater level of security to the area after Operation Arrowhead Ripper forced insurgents from many neighborhoods in Baqubah.
The DOC, which has been receiving direction from the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division, will now take orders directly from the Iraqi Governmental Forces Command, with correspondence written in Arabic instead of English, Ault said.