America's North Shore Journal

The Iraqi Police and Army took the lead in meeting the needs for the people of al-Hayyaniyah by providing security and relief supplies.

Two brigade-sized units of nearly 3,000 IPs and Army troops were moved into the city to re-establish law and order. Within four days, the Iraqi Security Forces was able to restore order that enabled them to deliver water and food to citizens, some of whom had been without fresh water for several days.

The Iraqi Government has personally been involved in directing a campaign to bring safety back to Basra, and to show the Iraqi people they are concerned about their safety.

The 1st Iraqi Army, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade began delivering 180,000 1-liter water bottles and 4,000 boxes of food to local residents April 4.

The items were initially delivered to Camp Shaibah, a central location just outside Basra.

An additional 180,000 bottles of water and 15,000 boxes of food were delivered to Camp Shaibah April 7, and convoys were coordinated so trucks could be loaded again and continue to distribute supplies to different parts of the al-Hayyaniyah area.

The Iraqi Government and ISF are committed to providing security and assistance when needed for Basra and all Iraqi citizens.

The Iraqi Army demonstrated their ability to plan, organize and distribute the needed assistance to citizens in the affected areas of al-Hayyaniyah.

These efforts also demonstrate the Iraqi Government and ISF’s ability to provide and care for the citizens of Iraq independently.

MNF-I