The commander of the Iraqi army's Anbar sector command, who led 16,000 troops with control extending to the Syrian border, surrendered to US forces today. "I am ready to help. Thank you for liberating Iraq and making it stable," Iraqi General Mohammed Jarawi told US Colonel Curtis Potts after signing the surrender in the western Iraqi desert. "I hope we have a very good friendship with the United States," he said.
Colonel Potts, commander of the 4th Brigade of the US 3rd Infantry Division, told the general: "Now is the time to rebuild Iraq and turn over the country to the Iraqi people." Colonel Potts gave Jarawi and his brigadier cigars after the signing, in what he called a gesture to the Iraqi general's professionalism. "I was honoured to represent coalition forces and the United States, and humbled because as I looked across the table I saw a professional soldier who was doing what was right for his nation, for the country of Iraq and for his people," he told AFP. "It was not easy for him. It was humbling for me that he had the courage to do that."
After the ceremony, General Jarawi told the colonel: "We ask you to try to secure the Iraqi people." Colonel Potts replied: "That's the plan, and that's what we are here for." General Jarawi said: "Thank you for your help, especially for the good treatment." |