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| Iraq |
| Iraq's revenues increase after crackdown on militia in Basra-Navy chief |
| 2008-08-11 |
| (VOI) - The Commander of Iraq's fledgling navy force on Sunday said his country's revenues increaed following a military crackdown four months ago on Shiiite militias in the southern city of Basra. Speaking at a press conference in the 70th anniversary of the force, Brig.Gen. Moahmed Jawad Kadhim, comamnder of Navy Forces, said "crackdown(on Shiite militia) in Basra ended the control of smuggling gang over Iraqi ports and secured the move of commercial entering and departing Iraqi ships". Last March, Iraqi security forces backed by U.S troops conducted a large-scale operation in Basra dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan(Knights' Assault) to crack down om militias and to wrestle control over illegal commercial dealings inside and across Iraqi terrotories. "Putting on muscle to protect the two terminals that account for 90 percent of Iraq's revenues, the 1900-person navy force is aiming to boost manpower by about 3000 in two years and greatly expand its fleet". More control over its wreck-ridden waters at the head of the Gulf is another sign of Iraq's determination to secure its oil infrastructure and reserves, the world's third largest. The navy's goal is to take on more duties from U.S., British and Australian warships that now patrol the two terminals, the al-Basra facility, capable of loading four tankers, and the single-berth Khur al-Amaya. The fleet's tiny size means only one Iraq vessel at a time can make the four-hour voyage out of the muddy Khur Abdullah waterway to the terminals to join the patrol. The Iraqi official unveiled Iraqi government approved purchasing ships and naval units from Italy along with reinforcing equipment". He highlighted "under the expansion plam Iraq would receive 26 Predator patrol boats along with 40 units to kickstart the first stage for comabtting terrorism and to pave the way for the second stage of facing external challenges". Kadhim branded the ties with Iran as friendly despite trading jabs over violating maritime borders. "The policy of Iraq's navy based on building on naval peace with neighbouring Iran,"he explained. The Iraqi offical refered to new phases of cooperation with Kuwait and Qatar, the two Gulf countries. "Kuwait contributed in protecting British facilities that have increased Iarqi oil production, while Qatar opened training courses for 27 Iraqi divers," He added. |
| Posted by:Fred |