On Point: the United States Army in Operation Iraqi ... - Boekje Pienter

Thomas Bray, US ArmyFigure 62. EPWs being cared for early in the wardid not have ties to the Iraqi armed forces or the Ba’ath Party. As coalition forces transitionedto peace support operations, the internment and resettlement mission also transitioned. Shortlyafter 1 May 2003, when President Bush declared the end of major combat operations, the 800thMP Brigade began paroling approximately 300 EPWs a day. As the prisoners were released,criminals replaced them in the camps as coalition forces began to establish law and orderthroughout the country. 63The Fight at As SamawahAs Samawah is a moderate-size city, approximately 265 km west-northwest of Al Basraand 240 km south-southeast of Baghdad. The town is on the Euphrates River and is alsoastride Highway 8, a main improved road leading northwest to Baghdad. Highway 8 parallelsthe Euphrates River and turns north at As Samawah, crossing to the east side of the river. AsSamawah itself lies mostly to the south of an east-west leg of the river, with some built-up areasto the north of the river. Additionally, the rail line between Al Basra and Baghdad passes aroundthe town to the south and west. A man-made canal runs northwest to southeast approximately5 km south of the town.Intelligence reported fighting positions covering a large portion of the circumference of thetown, on both sides of the river, as well as behind existing water obstacles. The Iraqis built otherfighting positions forward of apartment blocks that afforded sniper and machine gun positionscapable of firing over the heads of troops in the fighting positions below. While some mortarpits were noted, no artillery positions had been identified before 3rd ID made contact. Therewere no clear indications of the paramilitary threat in the town. Figures 65 and 66 provide anoverview of the enemy within the town. 64 123