Iraq
Operation "Antica Babilonia"

As a result of terrorist attacks carried out by Muslim organisations on September 11, 2001 an Anglo-American coalition launched the “IRAQI FREEDOM“ operation which was completed on May 1, 2003. That same day the post-war phase began, having as goal the creation of conditions for the social, economic and political development of Iraq. In this context, the UN Security Council voted

resolution 1483 with which it invited the international community to contribute to restore conditions of stability in the above mentioned nation. Consequently, the Italian parliament established that the IT JTF would conduct humanitarian and security operations within the area of responsibility, according to UN resolution 1483, in order to create the necessary conditions of stability and security

necessary to get humanitarian aid delivered and coordinate reconstruction efforts and activities.

On May 28, 2003 the 1st Multinational CIMIC Group Centre left Naples with destination Nassiriyah in Iraq. This first detachment was composed of 23 members including officers, NCOs and troops, commanded by Maj. Corrado Cofini.

After transit at Kuwait City, the 1st Multinational CIMIC Group spent a couple of days at Camp Ryan to get accustomed to the desert climate and then was deployed to the temporary base of "White Horse". Here the Multinational CIMIC Group Detachment took the County name of "TASK FORCE LIVENZA", and after two weeks moved to the building close to the Nassiriyah General Hospital, where the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA)

representative of the province of Dhi Qhar and the City Council of Nassiriyah were accommodated. In this building, located on the left side of the highway to Baghdad and very close to the Nassiriyah Hospital, the 1st Multinational CIMIC Group Centre of the Italian army was established and took over the tasks and operations from the 402nd U.S. Army Civil Affair BTG, that had previously operated and conducted CIMIC activities in that area. The following departments were immediately operational: liaison, health, water, reception, education, sanitation, oil distribution and storage. During the mission the operational capability of the 1st Multinational CIMIC Group Centre was upgraded with technical staff of the Ministry of Defence replaced later on by reservists. Operation "ANTICA BABILONIA" officially started on July 15, 2003 when the Italian contingent commanded by Maj.Gen. Adriano Santini and Brig.Gen. Vincenzo Lops commander of the 'Garibaldi' Bersaglieri brigade, officiated the TOA(transfer of authority) from the U.S.Army Units that were present in the region of Thi-Qar in Southern Iraq. Starting from that 1st Multinational CIMIC Group Centre the uninterrupted presence of Motta di Livenza Multinational CIMIC Group Regiment personnel in Iraq has been a unique case in the Italian armed forces.

At the moment elements of our regiment are undergoing training to be deployed to Nassiriyah as the 10th CIMIC CENTRE. Hundreds of projects were planned and carried out by the Multinational CIMIC Group Regiment in (D)Thi-Qar province, especially in the field of public health, education and water distribution. Besides, a large number of Iraqi people have had the opportunity to be cured in Italy, in national hospitals.

All these cimic activities have contributed in a decisive way to the success of operation "ANTICA BABILONIA", arousing admiration and gratitude from the local population, in such an unforgettable way that and righteously represented the greatest reward for all the men and women of the CGS Regiment who participated in this operation.