Azerbaijani troops end mission in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Multinational forces said that the Azerbaijani troops stationed in western Iraq ended their mission in the country and handed it over to the Iraqi army. “Coalition forces thanked soldiers assigned to the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping Company for their service in Iraq at a ceremony held on Al Asad Airbase Dec. 3 as the Azerbaijanis ended their mission in Iraq,” the MNF said in a statement late Wednesday received by IraqiNews.com. “This is a historic day for the nation of Iraq and the nation of Azerbaijan, but it’s a bittersweet day in the sense that we must say farewell to our partners in the Coalition,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general for operations, Multi-National Corps – Iraq. “Azerbaijani forces began their mission in Iraq when a company arrived Aug. 15, 2003 to guard the Haditha Dam. Completed in 1987, the dam produces approximately one-third of Iraq’s power. Through 11 rotations, more than 1,000 Azerbaijanis served honorably in Iraq,” it added. “Thanks to the Azerbaijanis’ efforts, control of the dam was transferred to the Iraqi government this afternoon in a ceremony attended by Al-Kumanji Mawafek Mohammed, Dirctor of Real Estate and Maj. Gen. Martin Post, Multi-National Force – West deputy commanding general,” it said. SH (P) 1