Soldiers begin aid effort

Soldiers begin aid effort

Humanitarian effort continues alongside work to secure oil fields

Royal Irish Regiment soldiers have begun the distribution of the first food shipments to arrive in southern Iraq.

The humanitarian effort is continuing alongside work to secure important oil fields in the region.

In latest reports from Basra, British military officials say between 1,000 and 2,000 Iraqi civilians were trying to leave the southern city of Basra on Friday.

The Royal Irish Regiment is based near the Rumailah oilfields.

As the fighting goes on, the troops have been trying to convince Iraqis that it is a liberation rather than an invasion.

Deputy Colonel of the Royal Irish, Brigadier David Strudley praised the soldiers and said their experience in Northern Ireland was standing them in good stead.

This business of reassuring the local population of these villages and towns may actually make the difference

Brigadier David Strudley
RIR Deputy colonel

"Handling prisoners in a situation like this is very difficult because needing to be effective and correct is exactly what they have to do," he said.

"But there are problems like language, so they have had to work through interpreters, establish a proper infrastructure to manage the operation itself.

"All those sort of things have come about as a result of all these many years not least over here in Northern Ireland where reassuring the community, while actually having to be here in support of the police, has been a critical element of that.

"They amongst many other battalions and regiments that have come to Northern Ireland have of course become very experienced in that.

"This business of reassuring the local population of these villages and towns may actually make the difference.

"Of course the prosecution of the war is the primary requirement at the moment but giving the hearts and minds of Iraqi people attention, that is necessary, - is something that I believe will be equally critical."

Royal Irish Regiment troops on patrol in the area

For the Royal Irish Regiment, humanitarian work is being conducted amid the backdrop of continued fighting in the region.

Sporadic attacks on troops have reminded everyone of the dangers.

RIR Captain Colin Campbell said: "We recognise very much the character of the Irish soldier, who is a very aggressive war fighter but also a compassionate peace keeper."

The British army also hopes to form a small local home guard police force, as part of another step towards putting the area back on its feet.

Meanwhile, medical supplies and water purification tablets provided by Irish Catholic development agency Trócaire have arrived in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

The supplies could provide clean water to more than 100,000 people.

Trócaire spokesperson Caroline Lynch said further consignments have been organised which should reach Iraq in the next few days.

"We are worried that the longer the war goes on the greater the needs of the people will be," she said.