BAGHDAD — During a visit to the area July 19, Brig. Gen. Jeffery Buchanan, deputy commanding general for operations for Multi-National Division – Center, met with Brig. Gen. Jabbar Nama, deputy commander for the 10th Iraqi Army Division, to discuss operations and the future well-being of Maysan Province.In the four weeks since Operation First Signs of Peace began in Maysan Province, the Iraqi Security Forces are successfully maintaining just that - peace.
During their month-long presence in al-Amarah, battalions from the 10th IA Div. have not seen a single gunfight, not one improvised explosive device attack, nor received any indirect fire. They continue searching for caches and criminals in the area with support from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
“The most important thing out here is to cut off or interdict the flow of munitions that flow in from Iran up to Baghdad. And for one thing, with the ISF we can do that pretty well,” said Lt. Col. Edward Bohnemann, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT.
Buchanan wants to help the 10th IA Div. by improving senior leadership who can mentor, teach and support their fighting forces. He also discussed bringing Military Transition Teams down to Camp Sparrowhawk to train with JabbarÂ’s men.
Operations in al-Amarah began June 19. In a matter of days, IA and Iraqi Police detained approximately 200 criminals and collected more than 220 weapon caches. ISF found the caches in homes, businesses and public areas throughout the city of Amarah, containing 2,262 mortar rounds, 1,034 mines, 971 artillery rounds, 749 rocket-propelled grenades, 598 rockets, 259 missile launchers, 176 improvised explosive devices, 259 grenades, 43 DSHKA barrels, 141 explosively formed penetrators and 22 missiles.
All of this without a single shot fired.
The Government of Iraq offered Shiite extremists and local citizens an amnesty period prior to the operation. Citizens who turned over weapon caches to ISF would not be arrested. The Iraqi Government also gave extremist forces the option to turn themselves in peacefully. Military leaders visited with Tribal Sheikhs of the area and encouraged them to enforce tribal laws that would maintain peace.
Throughout the operation, ISF took the initiative in planning and executing the mission. Now, six battalions under the 10th IA Div. maintain stability in Maysan by manning checkpoints, performing ground reconnaissance and conducting other security measures.