“Road Block” exercises in the camp of Serment de Koufra
Saturday, 06 September, the security situation in Mitrovica suddenly deteriorates, while escorting a convoy, the Armoured Reconnaissance Platoon of the 1st Moroccan company is facing hostile rioters. When the leading elements try to clear the way, rioters block the road and attack using Molotov cocktails. To control the situation, the Soldiers from the BAFF (Barrage d’arrêt fixe fermé) are dedicated to stop the advance of the rioters and to push them away. Supported by a group of the 2nd REG (Regiment of engineers of the French Foreign Legion) tasked with the clearance of the axis. The bulldozer removes the obstacles and the convoy sets off again. 600 meters farther, the rioters attack again.
This scene is not really taking place; it is only one of the sequences of an exercise played by the Moroccan contingent during a CRC training conducted in the Camp of Serment de Koufra (SDK), in Mitrovica.
The aim of this training is to improve the procedures of command and the cooperation between the participants, to put into effect the unit’s skill and put into practice the different responses to adopt against the belligerents.
Despite the hot weather, the religious obligations (fasting during Ramadan) and the aggressiveness of rioters, the participants succeeded in proving their drill and showed their experience.
Since its deployment in KOSOVO in 1999, the Moroccan contingent (MORBAT) was placed on MNTF-N under the operational command of France. Currently, with an establishment of 222 soldiers, the Moroccan contingent is composed of one Headquarters’ Detachment (DQG) and one coy of VAB armoured personnel carrier. This coy has as mission: convoy escort, the protection of the Serbian enclaves (Priluzje/Prelluzhe and Grace/Grace) and the access control by check points and patrols. The elements of this company are also tasked of defending the Camp of NOVO SELO and guarding the compound of the camps Plana and Belvédère .
In short, it was really a well done simulation, full of lessons learnt about the excellent job the KFOR is doing and about the determination of its soldiers.
