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Soldiers provide relief for Iraqi flood

February 9, 2006

JEMURIA ULA, Iraq (Army News Servce, Feb. 9, 2006) – An Iraqi Army-led operation provided more than 300 displaced residents aid they desperately needed after flood waters swept through the small village of Jemuria Ula last weekend in northern Iraq.

Heavy rains and strong winds, which lasted for nearly three straight days, caused about 30 homes to collapse. To make matters worse, the village’s two main roads turned into mud bogs, preventing efforts by local government officials to travel to the village to conduct an assessment and begin the relief process.

The villagers were left without food, drinking water, shelter and other basic necessities, but Iraqi security forces quickly sprang into action.

Brig. Gen. Issa Khalil Ibrahim, the commander of 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, coordinated with local police forces in the area to determine the scope of the damage and immediate needs of the villagers.

The brigade’s Soldiers began gathering food and supplies and the unit’s U.S. Military Transition Team coordinated with aviation elements from the 101st Airborne Division and logistics experts from Forward Operating Base Caldwell/Kirkush to assist in the distribution.

More than 85 cases of fresh water, blankets, large waterproof tarps and nearly a ton of rice, flour and sugar was delivered to the villagers by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

Once in the village, Iraqi Soldiers passed out the supplies and Iraqi Army medics provided medical treatment to the residents.

“This is an outstanding example of the provincial governor turning to the Iraqi security forces for assistance during an emergency,” said Col. Brian D. Jones, commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Jones also praised the efforts of the 5th IA Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Awad Khalaibuss Ahmed, and his provincial police counterpart, Chief of Police Ghassan Al-Bawi.

The coordination and cooperation between the 5th IA Division and the provincial police ensured that the village received the supplies they needed as rapidly as possible. The successful mission shows that the Iraqi Security Forces are capable of helping their fellow Iraqis in their time of need, Jones said.

(Editor’s note: Information provided by the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Band of Brothers at FOB Warhorse.)