The unit had previously spent several months at the Taji Military Training Base north of Baghdad in special military operations in urban terrain training. The Iraqi Intervention Force is the branch of the Iraqi army specifically trained in counterinsurgency operations.

“It’s a significant development,” said Army Col. Jim Mulvenna, Coalition Military Training Assistance Team Chief of Staff.

“This is now one of three Iraqi battalions being employed in the Baghdad area of operations.”

The unit will work with coalition forces in the area at the direction of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense conducting a variety of missions including traffic control points, intelligence missions, and security and presence patrols. The 4th Battalion will interact routinely with the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police Service forces in the same sector.

“This is another step toward the ultimate turnover of all security operations to Iraqi forces,” Mulvenna said.