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Iraqi Army assumes battle space responsibility in central Baghdad

By Pfc. Jason Dangel
February 24, 2006

BAGHDAD – (Army News Service, Feb. 24, 2006) – The 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, assumed responsibility for areas in central and southern Baghdad during a battle space transfer of authority ceremony from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Forward Operating Base Honor Feb. 20.

The ceremony took place after many months of training and combined missions between the two units, in which the Soldiers of the 4th BCT assisted the soldiers of 5th Brigade in preparation to assume the battle space inside and around the International Zone.

Col. Mohammed Wasif, 5th Bde. commander took the reins from
Col. Michael Beech, 4th BCT commander, as 5th Bde. became the latest Iraqi unit to gain control of its own area of responsibility.

“This brigade has trained hard, and we are ready for the mission,” Wasif said to the crowd of spectators. “We promised God and the government that we would remain loyal soldiers, and continue to defend the borders of this country.”

“This event sends a clear message to those who wish to disrupt or doubt the future success of Iraq,” Beech added. “As our combined forces continue to grow, we will follow the Iraqi lead as they continue to keep the pressure on the enemies of a free Iraq.”

Iraqi soldiers of the 5th Iraqi Bde. have been operating independently for months with little or no assistance from 4th BCT, Beech said, and as they take the lead in operations in central and southern Baghdad, both units will continue to work together.

“Our mission remains the same,” noted Beech. “We are proud to continue combined operations as Allies and to support the success of the 5th brigade.”

Currently, the 6th Iraqi Division is responsible for all the battle space in Baghdad. The 5th Brigade’s area of operations covers approximately 50 square kilometers of the city.

The brigade’s three battalions will operate inside the International Zone and the Karradah Peninsula. Iraqi security forces will be responsible for running various checkpoints in the area of operations.

“The responsibility of our Army is to protect this country and it’s people,” said Maj. Gen. Mubdar Hatim Hazya Al-Duleimi, commanding general, 6th IAD, “and because of the bravery of our Armed Forces that sacrifice themselves on a daily basis, the amount of insurgent activity will continue to decrease.”

(Editor’s note: Pfc. Jason Dangel serves with 4th BCT PAO, 4ID.)