More Iraqis join coalition patrols

The Iraqi presence in coalition naval patrols is stepping up, especially around the two vital offshore oil terminals that produce at least 80 per cent of the country's revenue.

More officers from the newly-launched Iraqi Coastal Defence Force are joining coalition patrols and are even taking part in the work of boarding parties to check incoming merchant ships and dhows.

It follows the first official naval movements of the Iraqi Coastal Defence Force (ICDF) on Saturday.

Senior coalition officers hope to eventually hand over responsibility for protecting the two oil platforms to these Iraqi naval patrols and they say it is important for Iraqi officers to increase their presence at an early stage.

The US officer in charge of coalition forces in the northern Gulf, Commodore Tidd, told Gulf News that Iraqi personnel are playing a growing role in the duties to protect the two oil platforms from attacks. He added that protecting the Iraqi coast would eventually be the responsibility of Iraq and possibly its neighbours too.

"I think they realise there is a common threat. The attack that took place is a kind of catalytic event that makes countries realise they have to work much closer." Iraqi officers are on board the British ship HMS Grafton and joined boarding parties yesterday morning to check on shipping and fishing boats in the area of the oil terminals which is also the narrow entrance to Iraq's waterways.

One of the officers spoke to Gulf News about his thoughts on an increased Iraqi presence in security manoeuvres.

Sub-Lieutenant Salman Saleh said: "Our experience here is essential for any plans to grow the Iraqi involvement in future months and years. The coalition forces are our good friends, we are able to help them with local knowledge and language work and they are able to train us in return. "I would hope that this time next year Iraqi ships will be able to police the whole area."