Iraqi Army makes waves on the Euphrates

Courtesy of Centcom

30 Oct. 2006

By Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Schwind
129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
From a distance it looks like a classic summer scene: boaters enjoying an afternoon on the river, taking an occasional dip to cool from the sun. But that’s far from the real situation occurring on the Euphrates River near Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq.

In reality, this is a new initiative to prevent improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from entering the area. The boaters and swimmers are actually soldiers in the Iraqi Army (IA), receiving small boat operator, or coxswain, training they requested from their American Military Transition Team (MiTT) counterparts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured: U.S. Navy Lt. Eric Torres, member of the Marine Corps Reserve’s 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company of Long Beach, Calif. and attached to the 1st Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, communicates the need to slow the boat speed down as he teaches an Iraqi soldier how to operate a boat on the Euphrates River. The Iraqi Army will soon patrol the river to prevent insurgents from transporting IEDs into the area.

Preventing insurgents from transporting IEDs on the Euphrates River is not the only significant aspect of this situation. Also important is the fact that the Iraqi Army identified the need to patrol the river–positive proof of the advancement of the leadership of the Iraqi Army.

“It’s a sign that the Iraqi Army is thinking forward,” said U.S. Marine Col. Juan Ayala, senior adviser of the 1st IA Division MiTT.

 “They’re not only thinking about what they’re doing on the ground, but they’re also thinking about more than one dimension of the counter-insurgency war.”

Ayala said that when his MiTT arrived in January 2006, the 1st IA Division realized that the insurgency was maneuvering around the area of operation not only on land, but also on the Euphrates River.

“They requested some assistance in training a team to patrol the Euphrates,” Ayala said. “They believe, and intelligence is telling them, that insurgents are transporting supplies, IED-making materials, and other forms of sustainment to support the insurgency in the Caldea, Abu Fleice, and Habbaniyah area, to include Fallujah and Ramadi.”

“What the Iraqi Army, and specifically the 1st IA Division, is trying to do is deny the insurgency that line of communication,” said Ayala, making the Euphrates River one more area where the insurgents can not travel, intimidate the farmers, or bring in IEDs and IED-making materials.

“They’re thinking about manning, equipping, and sustaining their brigades in the counter-insurgency fight which encompasses all levels and all types of maneuver, including maneuver in the water,” Ayala added.

To prepare the Iraqi Army to take their counter-insurgency fight to the water, MiTT members created a combat coxswain course, first of its kind in the post-Saddam era, which teaches basic sailor and patrolling skills needed to perform riverine operations.

A dozen Iraqi soldiers, selected for their swimming ability or prior boating experience, are receiving the initial training from their American mentors. Then, they will train their own comrades and eventually form a combat boating company.

There are three basic parts to this training. First are the tactics, techniques, and procedures of military riverine operations. Second is survivability, or ensuring they can swim with all their equipment, such as body armor and weapons. Third is to handle, maneuver, and maintain water-worthiness of their boats, which were abandoned by the old Iraqi army and refurbished by U.S. troops.

“Their boats are very basic,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Eric Torres, member of Marine Corps Reserve’s 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, which is attached to the 1st IA Division MiTT. “They don’t have a lot of what we’d consider rudimentary equipment. They have eyelets that are bolted on to the fiberglass instead of cleats…so as a result they have to use knots more than we would.
“I’m teaching them not to use shackles or carabiners or anything more modern because their army might not have that later on, so I’m intentionally teaching them the hard way.”

According to Torres, these IA soldiers are mostly combat veterans from the old army, and appreciate the importance of this instruction. They believe they will use this training, whether tying knots in the dark or rescuing someone from the water, for future real-life operations.

“That’s why the guys are so enthusiastic and motivated,” said Torres. “They want to know this because it’s going to save their lives.”

Although the combat coxswain training is fundamental, its impact could be great for the 1st IA Division.

“If they interdict the Euphrates River, I think that’s one step closer to the security of their country,” Ayala said.
In the long run, when the Iraqi Army assumes full security of its country, the impact is great for their MiTT advisers too. That will be the time for U.S. forces to pull out of Iraq.

Then American troops can enjoy their own classic summer scenes, at home.

Technorati tags: Military Transition Teams, Iraq, US Military, Army, Euphrates, US Forces, Centcom, America, War, improvised explosive devices, IED, Fallujah, Ramadi, counter-insurgency, war, real war

Civilian attacks by PLO force government to respond: Continued

Civilian attacks by PLO force government to respond: Continued

According to an IDF official, militant groups have also found a way to smuggle into Gaza light weapons and ammunition, and about 20 advanced anti-tank missiles since the end of the recent Israel-Hezbollah war. [13].

Anti-tank missiles found in Gaza tunnels in recent weeks are similar to those used by Hezbollah militants in the recent war; which caused a number of IDF casualties on the Lebanese border. [14].

Over the past year, Israeli officials say that among the tons of arms and explosives that have been smuggled into Gaza, Palestinians are obtaining 122-millimeter (mm) Grad rockets, which can be launched 18-30 km (11-19 mi.), placing major Israeli cities such as Ashkelon and Ashdod well within firing range. [15].

On March 28, 2006 Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched a Grad-type Katyusha into Israel for the first time. [16] Four Grad-type rockets in total have been fired into Israeli territory.

All the Katyusha rockets that have been fired from Gaza were 122 mm, [17] the same as those found on the Karin-A ship captured by Israeli authorities in Jan. 2002. The ship was carrying a supply of weapons and munitions delivered by the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah and paid for by Iran, [18] the leading state sponsor of terror.

The 122-mm Katyusha rocket was widely used by Hezbollah to attack Israeli civilians in northern Israel during the recent Lebanon war and is thought to comprise the bulk of its arsenal. [19].

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Oct. 24, while touring the Gaza border area with the Southern Command, “We will not allow the Gaza Strip to turn into southern Lebanon and we will take action to prevent the strengthening of the terrorist organizations.” [20].

Gaza Civilians Receiving Extensive Aid.

Although the Palestinian civilian population is undoubtedly experiencing some hardship due to the current security situation in the Gaza Strip, it is receiving extensive financial aid to prevent humanitarian suffering.

Both Israel and the international community, including the European Union, continue to hold back direct payment of funds to the Palestinian Authority, until the ruling Hamas party agrees to recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce terrorism, and agree to abide by existing agreements. But despite this, humanitarian aid benefactors’ programs are operational, and Palestinians are receiving extensive financial and medical support.

The European Commission (EC), for example, has recently initiated its Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) for aid payments. Through the TIM, the EC has started paying social welfare allowances to 40,000 of the neediest Palestinian families.

The payments are in addition to stipends that have already been paid to health workers and those who have suffered a sudden drop in income and pensioners. Families selected to receive allowances through the TIM will receive $344 (€270) each. No regular payments have been made to the families since February 2006 due to the ongoing Palestinian Authority (P.A.) financial crisis.

In Sept. 2006 the Quartet (United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia) supported an extension of the TIM for a three month period and an expansion of its scope. So far, 1.3 million people in the Gaza Strip have gained access to water, health care and sanitation through the TIM. In the upcoming months, more than 600,000 people will benefit from social allowances under the TIM, including 12,000 health care workers, 55,000 other low-paid public service providers and pensioners and 40,000 families in greater need.

TIM has delivered over 2 million liters of fuel to Palestinians to ensure the continued supply of energy, in particular for hospitals and water sanitation in the Gaza Strip following the destruction of the Gaza power plant in July.

The European Commission is making $134 million (€105 million) available for the TIM from the Community budget and Member States have so far pledged an additional $98 million (€77 million). Together with the support granted through international organizations, UNRWA and NGOs, the total European Commission support to the Palestinian people will reach $420 million (€330 million) this year. [21] Following EU Council approval, the TIM will be extended an additional three months. [22].

Israel has permitted the Karni crossing and the Nahal Oz terminal to continue operations for the delivery of food and fuel to Palestinians despite the constant threat of terrorist attacks at these facilities. [23].

Oct. 2006 Timeline: Gaza Terror Activities

Oct. 2006 Timeline: Gaza Terror Activities

Oct. 29 – Two Qassam rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. One landed in Sderot and the other in the western Negev, north of the Karni crossing. One woman was treated for shock and one structure was damaged. [24]

Oct. 28 – Four Qassam rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza. Four mortars were also fired from Gaza and landed near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. [25]

Egypt deployed an additional 3,000 security forces to the Gaza border, according to an Egyptian official, due to “fears of Palestinian militants breaching the border wall between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.” [26]

Oct. 26 – Israel prevented a shipment of 13 lbs. (6 kg) of TNT from reaching the West Bank through a Gaza-Israel passage. [27]

Oct. 23 – Three Qassam rockets were launched from Gaza, two of which landed in the city of Sderot. Two vehicles were damaged and several residents were treated for shock. [28]

Oct. 22 – Two Qassams were fired into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip, one landing south of Ashkelon. [29]

Oct. 21 – Four Qassam rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza, landing in Sderot. [30]

An anti-tank missile was fired at IDF troops near the Gaza anti-terrorist security fence. [31]

Oct. 20 – Five Qassam rockets were launched from Gaza, one landing south of Ashkelon. One resident was wounded by shrapnel. Several people were treated for shock. [32] An apartment building in Sderot was damaged when it was directly hit.

Five mortar shells were also fired from Gaza.

Three Bedouin were arrested in Sinai, Egypt en route to smuggle 200 crates of automatic weapons into Gaza. [33]

Oct. 19 – IDF announced that nine tunnels were uncovered between the Egypt-Gaza border. [34]

Oct. 16 – One Qassam was launched at the city of Sderot, landing near a home and another rocket landed near the western Negev Kibbutz Nir Am. In Sderot, one person was lightly injured and six others were treated for shock. [35]

Of the two Qassams, one of them bared the Hebrew inscription “Al-Quds” for the first time. The Hebrew inscription signified that the terrorist group – Al-Quds Brigades – closely associated with Islamic Jihad, was responsible for the rocket attack.

Oct. 14 – Two Qassam rockets landed in Sderot. One of the rockets damaged a fence adjoining a home in Sderot. Three residents were lightly wounded and one home was damaged. [36]

Oct. 13 – Six Qassams were fired from Gaza and landed in the western Negev area. [37]

Oct. 12 – Five Qassam rockets landed in the western Negev.

Oct. 8 – “Al-Qaeda in Palestine” claimed responsibility for blowing up an Internet café in Gaza. [38]

Oct. 7 – Qassam rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza; one landed next to Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal’s home. [39]

Oct. 6 – A tunnel collapsed under the Gaza-Egypt border from an explosion, trapping five Palestinian militants inside and killing at least one. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a violent offshoot of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement, said the five were members of the group. [40]

Oct. 5 – Two Qassams landed in the western Negev.

Oct. 2 – Two Qassam rockets were fired into Israel from northern Gaza. [41]

Oct. 1 – One Qassam rocket hit a home in Sderot, wounding a 76 year-old woman and an 11 year-old boy. [42] Five other residents were treated for shock. [43]

Footnotes:
[1] Hadad, Shmulik, “Qassam lands near Ashkelon strategic facility,” Ynetnews, Oct. 30, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3321203,00.html

[2] Alon, Gideon, “PM Olmert: Israel to expand military operations in Gaza Strip,” Haaretz, Oct. 30, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/781386.html

[3] “Hamas says militant died while digging tunnel in Gaza Strip,” published in Haaretz, via Associated Press, Oct. 29, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/780868.html; “Statements: Baker Al-Asar Was Martyred During A Jihad Mission,” Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, Military Wing of Hamas Movement, Oct. 29, 2006, http://www.alqassam.ps/english/statements/491.htm; Arabic Statement, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, Military Wing of Hamas Movement, Oct. 29, 2006, http://www.alqassam.ps/arabic/win_bayan.php?nid=2092

[4] Chronological order: Grinberg, Mijal, & Haaretz Service, “One person hurt as two Qassam rockets strike Negev town of Sderot,” Haaretz, Sept. 17, 2006; Hadad, Shmulik, “Sderot house, Sapir College hit by Qassams,” Ynetnews, Sept. 21, 2006; Dadon, Tova, “2 Qassam rockets land in south,” Ynetnews, Sept. 25, 2006; Issacharoff, Avi, & Agencies, “Palestinians: IDF tanks, troops move into northern Gaza,” Haaretz, Oct. 1, 2006; “September: News Archive,” Weaponsurvey Web site, http://www.weaponsurvey.com/newsarchive/september06.htm

[5] Statement via phone from IDF Spokesperson’s office.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Harel, Amos, Issaharoff, Avi, Haaretz Service & Associated Press, “Four Qassam rockets launched from Gaza hit Sderot area,” Haaretz, Oct. 21, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/777252.html

[8] “IDF force attacked and soldier abducted by Kibbutz Kerem Shalom,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, June 27, 2006, http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/kerem_shalom_e.pdf

[9] Greenberg, Hanan, “Gaza; 13 tunnels unearthed,” Ynetnews, Oct. 19, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3317229,00.html

[10] Fishman, Alex, “Tunnels feed new Hamas army,” Ynetnews, Oct. 5, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3311372,00.html

[11] Greenberg, Hanan, “Gaza; 13 tunnels unearthed,” Ynetnews , Oct. 19, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3317229,00.html

[12] Ibid.

[13] JPost.com Staff, “Anti-tank missiles smuggled into Gaza,” The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 14, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193433744&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[14] Ellingwood, Ken, “Israel finds 9 tunnels from Gaza Strip into Egypt,” The Los Angeles Times, Oct. 19, 2006, http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-smuggling19oct19,1,3551949.story?coll=la-headlines-world“

[15] Missiles and Mortars: Introduction,” Weaponsurvey Web site, http://www.weaponsurvey.com/missilesrockets.htm

[16] “Katyusha rocket ‘fired from Gaza,’” BBC News, March 28, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4855056.stm

[17] Katz, Yaakov, “Katyusha fired for the first time from Gaza,” The Jerusalem Post, March 28, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498754886&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[18] Karmon, Ely, “Hizbullah and the war on terror,” The Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Aug. 1, 2002, http://www.ict.org.il/articles/articledet.cfm?articleid=444

[19] Gordon, Michael, “Militants Are Said to Amass Missiles in South Lebanon,” The New York Times, July 16, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/weekinreview/16isra.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[20] “Brannon, Josh, “Peretz: IDF operations in south must continue to stop terror,” The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 25, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1159193510716&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[21] 40,000 Palestinian families to benefit from EU social allowances,” The European Commission’s Delegation to Israel, [IP/06/1251], Sept. 25, 2006, http://www.eu-del.org.il/English/whatsnew.asp?id=756“

[22] The European Union extends under the Temporary International Mechanism allowances to some 40,000 vulnerable Palestinians,” European Commission Technical Assistance Program, Sept. 21, 2006, http://www.delwbg.cec.eu.int/en/whatsnew/pressrelease_en.doc

[23] “Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web site, July 26, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2006/Summary%20of%20IDF%20activity%20in%20the%20Gaza%20Strip%2026-Jul-2006

[24] Greenberg, Michal, and Itim, “Two Qassam rockets land in Sderot and western Negev,” Haaretz, Oct. 29, 2006

[25] Ibid.

[26] “Egypt sends troops to Gaza border,” BBC News, Oct. 28, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6095608.stm

[27] Lavie, Mark [Associated Press], “Israel intercepts shipment of explosives,” The Washington Post, Oct. 25, 2006, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/25/AR2006102501157_pf.html

[28] Brannon, Josh, and JPost.com Staff, “IDF kills 7 Palestinian gunmen in Gaza,” The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 23, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193500694&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[29] JPost.com Staff, “11 rockets fired over past three days,” The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 22, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1159193486033&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[30] Harel, Amos, Issaharoff, Avi, Haaretz Service & Associated Press, “Four Qassam rockets launched from Gaza hit Sderot area,” Haaretz, Oct. 21, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/777252.html

[31] Ibid.

[32] Ibid.

[33] “Egyptian police intercepts 200 crates of weapons en route to Gaza,” published in Ynetnews, via Associated Press, Oct. 20, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3317454,00.html

[34] Ellingwood, Ken, “Israel finds 9 tunnels from Gaza Strip into Egypt,” The Los Angeles Times, Oct. 19, 2006, http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-smuggling19oct19,1,3551949.story?coll=la-headlines-world

[35] Hadad, Shmulik, “New: Qassam rockets with Hebrew captions,” Ynetnews, Oct. 16, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3315719,00.html

[36] Grinberg, Mijal, Harel, Amos, & Stern, Yoav, “2 Qassams land in Sderot area, lightly wounding three people,” Haaretz, Oct. 14, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/774581.html

[37] Ibid.

[38] Waked, Ali, “Al-Qaeda affiliate burns coffee shop in Gaza Strip,” Ynetnews, Oct. 8, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3312455,00.html

[39] Hadad, Shmulik, “Qassam lands next to Sderot mayor’s home,” Ynetnews, Oct. 7, 2006, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3312158,00.html

[40] “Terrorist trapped after tunnel blast,” published in The Jerusalem Post via Associated Press, Oct. 6, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1159193380916&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[41] Hadad, Shmulik, “2 Qassam rockets fired at Sderot on Yom Kippur,” Ynetnews, Oct. 2, 2006

[42] Katz, Yaakov, “Security forces on alert ahead of Yom Kippur,” The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 1, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1159193342519

[43] Issacharoff, Avi, & Agencies, “Palestinians: IDF tanks, troops move into northern Gaza,” Haaretz, Oct. 1, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/769071.html.

US, Afghan troops kill three terrorists & capture one

Courtesy of Yahoo – AFP

AFP/ISAF Photo:

KABUL (AFP) – US and Afghan troops have killed three “terrorists” during a clash with militants in violence-hit southeastern Afghanistan, the US-led coalition said.

Another suspect was captured during a raid at a compound in Khost province near the Pakistani border, it said in a statement on Wednesday. The nationalities of the militants killed were not released.

For the rest of the story go to: US, Afghan Troops Joint Ops.

Technorati tags: US Troops, Afghan, War on terror, al-Qaeda, Taliban, Kabul, Pakistan, war, terrorists, insurgency, khost, militants, coalition, afghanistan

Pundit Review Radio and Melanie Morgan

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to listen to Melanie as she described two family’s who suffered loss in their family’s due to the Iraqi War. It is amazing how the two have such a contrast, and Melanie has captured this contrast in her new book, “American Mourning: The Intimate Story of Two Families Joined by War, Torn by Beliefs” which I highly recommend.

You may listen to the interview at Pundit Review where they have it on podcast. Don’t know what that is? Neither do I, but it seems to work just fine for me. I just click on it, and it works! Amazing what they’re doing with electronics nowadays, but that’s an entirely different article. lol.

Please listen to the interview. It is very moving, and it is not dismeaning. I like that about this interview. Just the facts, ma’am.