• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

New Division celebrates Iraqi Army's birthday

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Friday, 09 January 2009

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

www.mnc-i.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20090109-5
Jan. 09, 2009

New Division celebrates Iraqi Army’s birthday
Multi-National Division – North PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq – The Iraqi Army’s newly established 12th Infantry Division celebrated the 88th annual Iraqi Army Day with a ceremony and lunch for local leaders at its division headquarters in Kirkuk, Jan. 6.

The sound of music from the 12th Inf. Div. Band filled the atmosphere with joy and energy as newly promoted Maj. Gen. Abdul Ameer, commander, 12th Inf. Div., greeted everyone before the celebration.

“The Iraqi Army is here for the benefit of the people - to work with the people, and to protect and provide security for the people,” said Ameer, during a speech to more than 200 people, including the Governor of Kirkuk, members of the provincial council, approximately 25 local sheiks, and several U.S. military leaders.

“[The new Iraqi Army] is stronger and, thanks to God, we are destroying terrorism,” said Maj. Dawan Musbah, training officer, 46th Brigade, 12th Inf. Div. “We’re going to continue fighting until our country is free of terrorists.”

Musbah joined the Peshmerga, the Kurdish para-military organization, in 1998 when Kurdish people were forbidden to join the Iraqi Army. However, after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, he entered the new army in 2003. Musbah said he was honored to be part of the new IA.

Russell called the future of Kirkuk province exceptionally bright because of caring leaders such as Maj. Gen. Ameer who strive to bring all ethnic group views into the government’s decision-making process.

“Gen. Ameer is a prime example of a very concerned leader who cares about the rights of all people – the Kurds, the Turkmen, the Arabs and the Christians,” Russell concluded.

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT: MNDNPAO@25ID.ARMY.MIL OR DSN 318-856-0218.

FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS, VISIT WWW.MNC-I.COM

FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DIGITAL VIDEO AND IMAGERY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BY CALLING (678) 421-6612 OR ACCESS THEM ON-LINE AT WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET <FILE://WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET>.