An Arab man and his son walk down the dirt road towards a British Army “Warrior” Armoured fighting vehicle, with an apparent comfort that illustrates the attitude of the majority of the local population. On the 7th Dec 07, the left flank of 1 Scots Guards together with a logistical element from 12 Logistic Support Regiment and members of 21 Engineers Regiment (all members of 4th Mechanized Brigade), deployed on an operation, to a region to the north west of the Al Basrah province, near to Al Madinah. The purpose of the operation was to provide some assistance, both physically and by supplying some basic equipment to communities on the marsh land. Two villages and a farm were identified from previous operations in the area as being in desperate need for assistance after Saddams’ reign.