KYIV. Jan 24 (Interfax-AVN) - At the request of the governor of Iraq's Wasit province, the 7th Ukrainian Detached Mechanized Brigade has decided to assist the local authorities in delivering a considerable sum of money to the province, to be paid as salaries and hardship allowances, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry press-service told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
According to a press-service official, the Iraqi bank, providing the province with cash, refused to transport money to the province by road after the convoys had been attacked several times. "Given the facts and possible social tensions in the area of responsibility, the Ukrainian brigade's commanding officers have decided to assist the local authorities," he said.
According to the official, Ukrainian servicemen jointly with the U.S. representatives have come up with a special operation, aimed at transporting the money on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Kurban Bayram.
"The unprecedented operation, involving the U.S. Treasury, the Iraqi bank, and a special U.S. air detachment, was classified at the highest level," he said. On receiving helicopters, carrying 30 billion Iraqi dinars ($20 million), at the Ukrainian Delta airfield, Ukrainian servicemen quickly transported the assets to a corresponding bank.
Representative of the U.S. Embassy's Regional Office in Central and South Iraq John McNamara has sent a letter to the Ukrainian commanding officers, highly appreciating the operation conducted, the press-service said.