Baghdad, February 01: U.S. military leaders on Sunday returned four camps to the Government of Iraq in the country’s southern region.
In a second round of camp closures in Basra province in the last month, U.S. Forces and their Iraqi Army counterparts held symbolic ceremonies signifying progress of the Iraqi Security Forces ability to provide security to the region and the draw-down of U.S. combat troops in accordance with the historic Security Agreement.
The Iraqi government official expressed the significance of the events and what it means to the Iraqi people, their government and their partners, the United States.
“These events show that democracy is being improved, the security issue is being improved, and government is moving forward,” an Iraqi official said. “It shows that the army is stronger and is capable of handling our security, capable to move forward against terrorism.”
Colonel Steven L. Bullimore added that the relocation of the USF would not deteriorate the working relationships of the two armies.
“While our partnership will remain strong, it is not necessary that we literally live on site at all of these locations,” Bullimore stated.
Earlier this year U.S. Division-South returned Camps Hutch and Area 51, both located in the Shaibah Training Center. Until recently a platoon of Soldiers from 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery remained at Area 51 after their ceremony. Now only Iraqi Army soldiers remain.
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