WITH MARINES IN OPERATION PROViDE COMFORT 93 on 11July. Colonel Jones and his staff briefed the incoming MEU command element at Iskenderun, then the 24th MEU (SOC) turned over its duties as Landing Force Sixth Fleet to the 26th MEU (SOC). The aircraft carrier Roosevelt had already been relieved on station by the Forrestal (CV 59)."' Combined Task Force Provide Comfort had successfully accomplished its mission. Before the allies departed northern Iraq, however, Saddam Hussein was given some final terms: No Iraqi aircraft could operate above the 36th parallel. A coalition force would be located at Silopi, ready to intervene if necessary. Allied aircraft would continue to patrol the skies of northern Iraq without interference. The Military Coordination Center would continue to monitor the security zone and report Iraqi compliance with the stated terms. It was made clear that only Iraqi acceptance of this understanding would pave the way for the end of Operation Provide Comfort. On 12 July 1991, the Bush administration publicly announced its decision to pull American forces out of northern Iraq. The next day, thousands of Kurds lined the road near Habur and blocked an allied convoy for about three hours. More than 3,000 people carried banners that fl~nked the allies, but also warned that "the job is only half done." They were grateful for the help rendered, but fearful of what would happen after the allies left. General Garner, the senior American officer on the spot, tried to calm their fears by reminding them that Iraqi military forces were prohibited from entering the 3,600-square-mile exclusion zone established in April, and that a multinational rapid reaction force would remain at Silopi to repel any Iraqi advances. General Garner stated, "We have told [Saddam] not to come back in here. " Fadhil Merani, a top official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, accompanied Garner when he went to talk to the Kurds. Merani's words, "Shame on you, these people came here to help us, and look at the way you treat them," appeased the crowd which silently pulled back and allowed the movement to continue.'12 At 1600 on 15 July 1991, a bugler sounded "Colors," and the American flag was hauled down for the last time in northern Iraq. The convoy carrying the last Marines and soldiers to Silopi was stopped at the Habur Bridge. A peaceful crowd of about 500 people gathered to thank them for all they had done. General Garner accepted emotional well-wishes and reaffirmed coalition support for fl~e Kurds. As the sky darkened behind the towering mountain peaks in the east, Colonel Jones and General Garner crossed the border into Turkey. The last elements of the 24th MEU (SOC) were in Silopi by 15 July. As it turned out, debarkation was not a problem and the MEU loaded the last of its equipment in less than 96 hours. The 24th MEU (SOC) sailed for home on 19 July 1991."~ Provide Comfort, the largest humanitarian relief operation in Marine history to that time, was over. In early April, everyone had been skeptical about launching a such an operation. Politicians didn't want to get involved, host nations refused to help, and a ruthless dictator banked on world-wide apathy to achieve his goals. After the refugees fled to the mountains, U.N. relief experts surveyed the situation and said it was hopeless. They predicted it would take at least seven months for recovery and stated that the Kurds would never return toFirst Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |