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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraqi Coastal Defense Force Fact Sheet |
| 2004-04-19 |
| Maritime security is crucial to Iraq’s future stability and prosperity. With only 58-kilometers of coastline, the nation is reliant on the ports of Umm Qasr and Basrah and its two off-shore oil terminals. At present, Umm Qasr is the only operational port and is strategically important since the closure of Basrah during the Iran-Iraq war. The two off-shore oil terminals at Kohr al Amaya and Mina al Bakr are critical to income generation. Iraq will have a 407-strong Coastal Defense Force which should become operational by mid-summer. The ICDF will be equipped with five 27-meter long patrol boats armed with heavy machine guns and 10 rigid inflatable boats that will be used by its Coastal Defense Regiment, which is akin to the Marines. They will be stationed at the Umm Qasr Naval Base. The ICDF will conduct policing operations on the Iraqi coastline and territorial waters up to 12-nautical miles in order to counter terrorism, smuggling, piracy and other unlawful activities and provide a limited Search and Rescue capability. The force will be expected to be an integral part of Coalition efforts, working closely with security forces in Basrah province and naval forces in the northern Arabian Gulf. Its roles will be defense and security and the policing of international regulations governing the environment and safety at sea. This is a new departure for Iraq, and a sign that the country is preparing to take its peaceful place in the global arena. EFL |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |