CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq
Marines operating in western Iraq provided a security escort Sunday for several buses of travelers making a religious pilgrimage across the Middle East to the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. The pilgrims traveled from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to the point-of-entry crossing at Trebil, Iraq, along the Iraqi-Jordanian border in southwestern Al Anbar Province. Marines from 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, based out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., were asked by the Trebil facility’s director to “please do this favor for him by escorting these pilgrims to Nukhayb and they can get to Najaf from there.” Furthermore, the pilgrims were concerned about their safety while traveling through western Al Anbar Province. Najaf, a holy city of about 500,000 people, is located in An Najaf Province, about 370 miles east of Trebil. “In the interest of maintaining good relations, we said we would help,” said Maj. Matt Good, the battalion’s operations officer. “We sent an element to pick them up at [Port of Entry] Trebil and escorted them to Nukhyab - an eight hour drive.” After arrangements were made, the Marines escorted the pilgrims without incident. The escort allowed the pilgrims to avoid traveling through more dangerous parts of western Al Anbar Province, and encountering any potential run-in’s with insurgents. “Any time we can extend the olive branch, we do,” said Good. “The only better course of action would be to have Iraqi Security Forces do the escort, but that will happen soon enough.” The Marines will continue to work closely with the Iraqi military and border patrols here to provide security and stability throughout the area.