Information and Public Relations Directorate
E-mail: presamapn@mapn.ro
Contact: 021-319.60.22
Captain Cristian Dan, PR officer of the “Hawks of Carpathians” 812th Infantry Battalion transmitted the followings:
About 100 militaries from the 812th Infantry Battalion took part between November 6 and 9, 04 to “Iron Gate” operation developed in the south of Iraq, in Dhi Qar region. The mission was performed in the Romanian Battalion area of responsibility that is subordinated to “Friuli” Italian Brigade.
Acting within a group of joint forces the Romanian Battalion had the tactical command of a Company from the 604th Battalion of the Iraqi Security Forces, observing the Resolution No. 1546 of UN Council of Security and the mandate for the missions performed in common. The aims of the action were the annihilation of terrorist elements and stop of illegal traffic of armament and explosive materials, thus demonstrating the capacity of management of situation in the area of operations.
The complexity of operation and the permanent presence of more then 300 militaries imposed a detailed planning and leading stressing on the cooperation with the Iraqi subordinated forces. During the 96 hours of the mission they organized fixed and mobile traffic check points on the secondary ways in the villages simultaneous with the operations of watch and control of traffic along the Eufrat river.
According to Brigade General Enzo Stefanini, commander of the Italian Aeromobile Brigade the mission reached its aim, and “gathering important quantity of armament and ammunition wthey primed off the potential danger against the multinational forces and local population”.
“Iron Gate” operation is the second big one with the participation of the militaries from 812th Infantry Battalion after “Strong Hammer” developed in October.
MoND Press Office