Marines yield to civilian drivers in Anbar

[unhappycamper]

Sgt. Steven B. Henry, motor transportation operator and native of Joplin, Mo., keeps his eyes on road-side activity while communicating with the rest of the convoy during a re-supply run to forward operating posts along the Syrian and Jordanian borders in Iraq.


Marines yield to civilian drivers in Anbar
By Rob Curtis - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 21, 2008 16:57:56 EST

As Multi-National Force-West continues to capitalize on security gains in Iraq’s Anbar province, Marine forces have issued guidance to commanders that calls on them to share the road with civilian traffic, even allowing civilian vehicles to pass military convoys.

The common practice prior to early February was for convoys to drive in the center of the road while holding up traffic behind. Troops would use warning shots and deadly force in some cases to control traffic, preventing civilian vehicles from mixing with theirs.

The change, issued by MNF-W senior leadership, comes as troops are moving out of the town of Hit and Camp Blue Diamond is being turned over to the Iraqis within a month. MNF-W moved its headquarters from Camp Blue Diamond last summer to accommodate the turnover.

While MNF-W forces will share the road with civilian traffic, I Marine Expeditionary Force spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Hughes said, forces have “got an absolute right to protect themselves.”

Civilian vehicles will be allowed to pass convoys as long as allowing them to do so doesn’t jeopardize a mission or the safety of military personnel.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/marine_convoy_080221/



uhc comment: Looks like the ROE have changed in Anbar.