Operation Sinbad
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Operation Sinbad is a military operation being carried out by British troops and Iraqi soldiers in southern Iraq.[1][2][3] The operation began during the early morning hours of September 27, 2006. The stated goal of the operation is to root out corrupt police as well as offer assistance to the residents of the area in rebuilding. An estimated 2,300 Iraqi army troops and 1,000 British soldiers are taking part in the operations with another 2,000 in close proximity. [1][3]The rebuilding and cleaning out of corrupted police is taking place in preparation of handing over security of the city of Basra to the Iraqi government.[2][3]
The rebuilding portion of the project is primarily being carried out by Iraqi engineers with "low level immediate impact projects" such as school repairs and basic infrastructure such as foot bridges. Other basic tasks include street cleaning and fixing of street lights, fixing power cables and improving water systems.[3] Midterm programs include hospital repairs and renovation as well as distribution of educational materials.[2] Long term civil programs include the restoration of the local farm plantations.[1]
The military aspect is to remove the root out the corruption that has plagued the Iraqi police as Shi'ite militias have began infiltrating them. Forces consisting of "transition teams" of Royal Military Police will be inserted into local police stations looking for those "unable or unwilling to perform their duties", the teams will operate in each station for up oto 30 days.[1][2][3] Maj. Charlie Burbridge compares the operation to the U.S. and Iraqi security drive in Baghdad named "Operation Together Forward", where the militias are first removed and then civil affairs projects follow. [1]
