Operation Haven 1991
by Maj Gen RJ Ross OBE

After the frustrations of not being invited to play a part in the Gulf War, it was with great delight that I learned on 17 April this year that 3 Commando Brigade RM had been chosen to undertake Operation Haven in Northern Iraq. It was to my further delight when 1 was told that HQ Commando Forces RM was to provide the core of the Joint Force Headquarters, which was to command a force of some 5,000, consisting of the bulk of 3 Commando Brigade, substantial numbers of RAF and Army, and elements of our own Naval support helicopter force. We wore also pleased to hear that the Dutch were to contribute 1,000 troops - some 600 Army and 400 from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps.

Because we are used to reacting quickly and operating world-wide, it did not take us long to get our equipment together and fly out. Speed was important, because disease was becoming prevalent among the half a million refugees who had fled into the mountains. It was still winter in Northern Iraq at that time, and the conditions under which the refugees were living were severe, with snow on the ground and freezing temperatures at night.

From the very beginning we worked as part of a multi­national Coalition, under the overall leadership of the United States, with forces from the US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Holland, Australia and Luxembourg. I have a lasting impression of a quite extraordinary degree of co-operation between the Coalition Forces. This illustrated a real will to solve the huge problem which faced us, and a determination not to allow minor differences in operating methods to get in our way.

At the start, our relief operations were pretty crude. We could do little more than drop urgent supplies - shelter, food, water and medical goods - into the refugee settlements from C130 aircraft. As these operations became more refined and we began to get amongst the people on the ground, we realised for the first time the extraordinary fear which must have motivated the Kurds to make their exodus into the mountains. This very real, almost palpable, sense of fear has become even more evident as the weeks have passed. All of us have seen at first hand the horrific depredation of Saddam Hussein in Northern Iraq. As a result we have begun to get a better understanding of the depth of fear experienced by the Kurdish people over the years.

From the very start, our people went about their business with a sense of commitment and purpose such as I have not seen in my 34 years in the Royal Marines. I do not believe that is difficult to understand, as the saving of life must be one of the most fundamental desires of civilised man and woman. We found ourselves living and working in terrain where we are totally at home - the mountains. We are trained to operate in this environment, and to live very simply with what we carry on our backs. I also believe that our experience in internal security operations gave us an excellent understanding of how to cope with problems in a highly volatile situation. Throughout, I have found the self-discipline of our troops in confronting such situations to be exemplary.

Perhaps the most extraordinary feature of the whole operation was the speed with which we achieved success. That took us all by surprise. From the early days, when the Kurdish people must have been psychologically as low as it is possible to be, we have seen dramatic improvements as we have escorted them down from the mountains, provided them with decent shelter, food, clean water and sanitation. Suddenly we discovered towards the end of May that we had completed the task we had been set.

I have been particularly struck by the relationship built up between our Forces and the Overseas Development Administration volunteers who worked under Dr David Nabarro's leadership. I believe that Operation Haven could provide a blueprint for the future, in that a combined military and ODA organisation could respond to similar tragedies with even greater speed and efficiency.

Throughout the operation elements of our Force have worked under the tactical control of various Coalition partners, and we have had forces from other nations working under us. A most welcome addition was a 75-strong contingent of the Australian Army who have been doing invaluable work on the medical and engineering side. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have them under command.

As we now reach the middle of June, some of our Force whose work is complete have started to return home. The gradual return of other units will continue in the weeks ahead. However, 1 cannot at this stage set a date for our final departure, and would not wish to, because all of us in the Coalition wish somehow to ensure that the long term security of the Kurdish people in Northern Iraq is guaranteed.

Perhaps I should emphasise the security aspects of the operation. We have been operating in Northern Iraq where, only a matter of weeks previously, our colleagues had been fighting a full-blown war against Saddam Hussein. We were by no means certain that there would not be a residual threat against the Kurdish people and ourselves from the remnants of the Iraqi Army. There are, and always have been, some troops in our area of operations, and it has been necessary to make it clear to them that we will not tolerate any threat - overt or covert - to our task.

At the same time, we found it absolutely fundamental to reassure the Kurdish people that it would be safe for them to return to their homes. It was quite clear that they would not be prepared to do this unless (in their words) we had 'cleansed' the area. It was, therefore, necessary for us to establish a presence, and be highly visible as a professional military organisation. This situation has pertained throughout the operation, and we have had to be alert to all kinds of dangers. There have been incidents of Iraqi soldiers shooting at us and, sadly, there have been serious casualties from mines amongst Coalition forces.

Apart from the overt Iraqi military presence, we have also had to cope with Iraqi Secret or Special Police. They have been difficult to identify, but they undoubtedly pose a real threat to the Kurdish people, who understandably have been very frightened of them in the past. As a result, wherever possible we have identified these Secret Police and escorted them out of the area. We found that if we did this firmly and fairly, they complied. However, we cannot state categorically that there are none left in the area, and we must continue to be on our guard.

Because I have known Marines, soldiers and sailors over a number of years, it came as no surprise to me that one of the most striking qualities they have demonstrated throughout this operation has been compassion. I hope this quality will have come across in the media, so that some of those at home who may have regarded the military as 'brutal and licentious' may change their view. Our people are tough and disciplined, but compassion is surely an essential quality in a serviceman or woman.

For us all in the Joint Force Operation Haven has been a thoroughly rewarding, stimulating and satisfying experience. I know that memories of the Kurdish people and their beautiful country will remain with us for the rest of our lives.