Partnering

Montrose Toast ^ | 31 December 2010 | DJ Elliott

[DJ Elliott]

The planned joint US, Iraqi Army, and Peshmerga partnering in the disputed areas of northern Iraq is to continue after the Iraqi elections on 7 March 2010. This program started with a test case in northern Diyala. There the 34/16 Peshmerga Brigade was partnered with the 4/1 Iraqi Army Brigade in the spring of 2009. The 34/16 was the same Peshmerga brigade that was involved in the Khaniqin incident with elements of 5th Iraqi Army Division in the fall of 2008. The Iraqi Army brought in a brigade from the elite 1st Division to replace the elements of the 5th Division involved in the dispute and to work with the Peshmerga 34/16 Brigade and a battalion of US Strykers. The planned expansion of this program and the participating forces is starting to become apparent.