NATO/SFOR Informer: The Moroccan Contingent

By 1Lt. Javier Donesteve
First published in
SFOR Informer#105, January 24, 2001

Mostar- Warrant Officer 2nd Class Atman Khariss is on duty at Europe Base, Mostar Ortijes, the main MND-SE Camp. In it live together soldiers from the five contributing nations: France, Germany, Italy, Morocco and Spain, and the security tasks are shared among them in shifts of one week.
This week is the Moroccan's turn. And WO2 Khariss's task is as interpreter. "Most of us learned French, as well as Arabic; but very few speak English. We support our Guard with a translator" he says. Back in Morocco, he is posted in a Tank unit, the 2nd GEB, in Errachidia, about 6,000 kilometres away from Mostar. "But here, we've got everything to feel at home: Moroccan food, like lamb, home-made bread - though I specially enjoy Friday's cus-cus -, Moroccan TV…even a mosque, where who wants to can fulfil his religious obligations (devout Muslims pray five times a day). And the Bosnian winter is being fantastic!".
Alongside WO2 Khariss is Sergeant Issam Fajjaj, a Military Policeman from the Gendarmerie Royale. He carries out identification checks at the main gate, supported by an infantry squad. "My job here is similar to the police role I play in Morocco" he said.
The Moroccan contingent arrived in Bosnia in 1996. Its initial strength was 1,300 men that, in tune with the re-organisation of the rest of SFOR, has been reduced to 350, divided in two Combat Companies with VAB (the French APC) and a Command and Support Company. All the soldiers are volunteer professionals, and come for a one year tour. "Every three months they have a 25-day vacation in Morocco" said Lt. Col. Ahmed Bradaaï.
"We are a Divisional Element, under the MND-SE Commander, Major General Meille," stressed Colonel Ben Mimoun L'Houcine, Commanding Officer, in Bosnia for his second tour, (previously as the Contingent's Chief of Staff). "As a Divisional Unit, we do not have an assigned Area of Responsibility, but our tasks are like the rest of the Battlegroups, such as patrolling, or CIMIC operations, among other duties. We also carry out the Security Tasks in Sarajevo Airport" he said.
"At present, one of our companies is attached to the French Battle Group, under its operational command. Another will hold an exchange training exercise with the Italians next week".