101st hands Syrian border control to Iraqis
Army News Service
Release Date: 10/14/2003
By Pfc. Chris Jones
NORTHERN IRAQ (Army News Service, Oct. 12, 2003) - The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) handed control of the Syrian border to the coalition-trained Iraqi Border Guard in a ceremony Oct. 1 at one of the 22 renovated posts along the border.
Ninevah Province governor Ghanim Al Basso called the transfer a significant stride in coalition efforts to return control of Iraq to its citizens while ensuring they have the freedom and discipline to control it.
"This achievement is a step on the road toward democracy and freedom in the Ninevah Province," Basso said. "It's also one of the pillars in building good security and safety here. I have great hope in the future of our border guards and the future of Iraq."
The 101st's 187th Inf. Regt. will continue to oversee the progress of the guard, whose 690 members were trained by coalition forces in two-week classes since July. Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, 101st commander, spoke at the ceremony and said early signs look promising.
"[The guard is already working hard to secure the border. Iraqi border guards have already captured a large number of smugglers across the border," Petraeus said. "Just last night, nine more smugglers along the border were caught."
Col. Hamed Mohamed, guard commander, said he accepts the challenge given by coalition forces and echoed Basso's words on the importance of integrity.
Petraeus said he has little doubt about the integrity of the new border guards, drawing on the previous night's smuggler detainments as a positive omen.
(Editor's note: Pfc. Chris Jones is a journalist with the 40th PAD.)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
