(S/NF) The Prime Minister's Office issued a memorandum
February 16 to the Defense and Interior Ministries which
reversed the February 12 order to suspend U.S.-Iraqi combined
security operations (text in paragraph two below). The new
order effectively allows almost all Iraqi Security Force
operations to be carried out with U.S. Forces-Iraq (USF-I)
support.
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ClassificationSECRET//NOFORN Header
VZCZCXRO5849
OO RUEHBC RUEHDH RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0426 0481550
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 171550Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6675
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
*******
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000426
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2020
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, MOPS, PTER, IZ
SUBJECT: PM MALIKI ORDERS RETURN TO ALMOST NORMAL
IRAQI-U.S. SPECIAL OPS
REF: BAGHDAD 405
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Robert S.
Ford for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) The Prime Minister's Office issued a
memorandum
February 16 to the Defense and Interior Ministries
which
reversed the February 12 order to suspend
U.S.-Iraqi combined
security operations (text in paragraph two below).
The new
order effectively allows almost all Iraqi Security
Force
operations to be carried out with U.S. Forces-Iraq
(USF-I)
support. It also reveals that the PM's operational
sensitivity was air-to-ground helo attack roles in
special
operations. This is likely in response to unfounded
initial
reports that aircraft had been involved in firing
on the
targets in Operation Steel Curtain (reftel).
Subsequently,
the Iraqi Ground Forces Command issued an
additional order to
all commands and units to expand on the PM's note
(text
follows in paragraph three).
2. (C) From: Prime Minister's Office - Operations
and
Training
To: MOD-Secretariat General
MOI-Counterterrorism Bureau Minister's Office
Secret and Immediate
Order #84
Purpose of Memorandum: To cancel the context of our
secret
and immediate memorandum #75 dated 12 February
2010.
- The Prime Minister has directed an adjustment to
the
instructions detailed in memorandum #75.
- The following is directed:
---Significant targeting operations should be
attempted to be
conducted without aircraft, if it is necessary to
use
aircraft, targets will not be engaged by aircraft
involved in
the operation.
---All operations are to be carried out by the ISF
with the
support of USF-I.
---Acknowledge this order and carry out per
instructions.
Signed by
GEN Faruq
OCINC
3. (C) From: IGFC
To: All Commands and Units
CC: M3 - Combined Partnering Operations Center
Reference PM Letter #75 dated 12 February 2010 in
regards to
obtaining the PM approval before conducting joint
operations.
On 12 February 2010 the PM Office issued letter #84
which
voided the above mentioned letter #75.
Letter #84 stipulates that important joint
operations can be
still conducted; however they must meet the
following
conditions:
-- If aircraft are used in the execution of a joint
operation
they are not permitted to open fire.
-- Performance of the mission will be left to ISF,
while
USF-I will occupy a support role.
4. (S/NF) COMMENT: This order represents real
progress with
the GOI on U.S.-Iraqi combined special operations.
Embassy
will continue to work with USF-I to ensure a return
to normal
operations, particularly for high-value targets, in
accordance with the Security Agreement.
FORD