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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
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Release Number: 04-05-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FALLUJAH BRIGADE PROVIDES ROUTE SECURITY FOR MARINES
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- With the 1st Battalion of the Fallujah Brigade providing security all along their route, Marines from the I Marine Expeditionary Force traveled into downtown Fallujah May 10 to meet with city officials.
The commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, met with Mahmood Ibraheem Al Jurasi, Fallujah's mayor, and a group of tribal sheiks to discuss plans to rebuild and revitalize the city.
The Fallujah Brigade established security conditions facilitating freedom of movement for the Marine convoy. Brigade officers participated in the operational planning for the convoy. Marines took no hostile fire during their time in the city on May 10 . Fallujans reportedly waved to them as they made their way in and out of the city.
Marine officials say freedom of movement in Fallujah is crucial to the city's rebuilding and revitalization efforts. Greater access to the city will accelerate contracting, engineering, fiscal and employment initiatives for Fallujah.
Officials said continued cooperation between Marine units and the Fallujah Brigade is an important element in the way ahead. Officials added that teamwork like this serves notice to those who violently oppose stability in Iraq: they are nothing more than unwanted barriers on the road to a truly free Iraq.