The Cool Blue Blog

3013 words about Iraq

Three slides from General Petraeus' Report to Congress. The pictures speak for themselves.

Standing up

Michael Yon reports from Western Nineveh Province, Iraq

An Iraqi officer near Sinjar told me that recently a group of perhaps twenty “jihadists,” many of them foreign, descended on a Nineveh village. The Iraqi officer said the terrorists killed some adults and two babies. One baby they murdered was 15 days old.

Until recently, such terror attacks inside Iraq could have coerced the village into sheltering Al Qaeda. Yet this time, the “jihadists” got an unexpected reception. Local men grabbed their rifles and poured fire on the demons, slaughtering them. Nineteen terrorists were destroyed. Times have changed for al Qaeda here. Too many Iraqis have decided they are not going to take it anymore. Al Qaeda in Iraq is still fighting, and they are tough and wily, but al Qaeda Central seems to realize there are easier targets elsewhere, perhaps in Europe, where many people demonstrate weakness in the face of terror.

Al Qaeda was apparently not in Iraq before this war, and at the current rate they will not be here when it’s over. The Iraqi Army and Police are doing most of the work these days, but their own operations are significantly augmented by what we bring to the fight.

AFP reports from Basrah

Iraqi security forces fought raging battles with gunmen from radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Shiite militia in Basra on Tuesday amid a crackdown on armed groups in the southern oil city.

At least four people were killed and 18 wounded in the clashes, said police Major Abbas Youssef, as ambulances raced through the streets ferrying the wounded.

British military officials said Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was in Basra to personally oversee the major security force sweep in Iraq's second largest city, but that British troops were not taking part.

An AFP correspondent said fighting involving mortars, machine guns and assault weapons erupted soon after the security forces entered the Al-Tamiyah neighbourhood, a bastion of Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, at around 5:00 am (0200 GMT). The fighting quickly spread to five other Mahdi Army neighbourhoods.

Television pictures showed Iraqi troops running through the streets firing weapons and taking cover as ambulances raced past. Thick palls of smoke were seen rising above the city's skyline...

Police confirmed the start of the operation, dubbed Saulat al-Fursan (Charge of the Knights) which came after a 10:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew was slapped on the entire Basra province late on Monday.

"We began operations at 5:00 am. There is fighting between security forces and the Mahdi Army," said police spokesman Major Karim al-Zubaidi.

A spokesman for Sadr's office in Basra, Harith al-Athari, told AFP that the Sadrists wanted to end the stand-off.

"The situation is bad and we regret the fighting. We are ready for negotiations and want to calm things," he said...

After touring Basra on Monday, Maliki vowed his governmment would restore order, saying the city was experiencing a "brutal campaign" by internal and external groups targeting members of the scientific and religious communities "and other innocent men and women."

"This is accompanied by the smuggling of oil, weapons and drugs. The outlaws are finding support from within the state and outside. This is why Basra has become a city where civilians cannot even secure their lives and property," Maliki said in a statement.

"That has affected negatively the economic development. The federal Iraqi government... will restore security, stability and enforce law in this city."

Bill Roggio reports from Mosul

In Mosul, the Iraqi Army also lives a dual existence. As the Iraqi Army conducts operations to dismantle the terror networks in the city, it also builds for the future. The 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division seeks to expand its ranks while developing its noncommissioned officers, the backbone of any modern military. This is a difficult task to manage while fighting a brutal insurgency, but a necessary one as a professional army is required to successfully fight an insurgency.

To achieve these goals, the 4th Brigade has recruited its own soldiers, started an in-house training program, and plans to conduct its own training course for its noncommissioned officers.

From the Awakening movement, to the Concerned Local Citizens, to the Iraqi Army and police, Iraqi's are standing up for Iraq and and their own future.

Adhamiya Council

Adhamiya Council Meets, Chooses Leaders, Committee Members

Monday, 25 February 2008 By Pfc. April Campbell
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — Leaders from the Old Adhamiya neighborhood in Baghdad met with Iraqi Army Soldiers Feb. 18, to agree upon leaders and committee members for the Tribal Support Council. 

Sheikh Amar Amid Al Azawi was elected chairman; Sheikh Abdu Khadir Al Dulaimi and Abu Abid were elected as vice chairmen. Abid is a prominent ‘Sons of Iraq’ (SoI) leader in the area.

SoI is a volunteer security group formally known as the Concerned Local Citizens.  The group mans check points, conducts security patrols, and helps Coalition and Iraqi security forces identify terrorists and find their weapon caches. 

The council members also determined who would serve on various council committees including the arbitration, reconciliation, security, sports and youth activities, essential services and education. 

Maj. Darryl Perry attended the meeting and will be working with the council as a civil affairs officer with the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, along with Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division. 

This tribal support council is modeled after similar ones initially established in Anbar province. The council is to provide local governance in accordance with Iraqi customs, said Perry, a Baltimore native, who serves as a civil affairs team leader with Civil Affair Team A 5025, 450th Civil Affairs Battalion, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. 

“It’s another form of government based upon traditions where the sheikh was in charge,” he added. 

The Iraqi Army and Coalition forces worked together to determine who would be nominated for the council leadership positions and committees. 

“We used everybody’s expertise and knowledge to figure out where they could be the most useful,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Broadwater, a Radcliff, Ky., native, who serves as the commander for the 3rd Sqdrn., 7th CAV. 

One factor enabling the formation of the Adhamiya Tribal Support Council is the improved security situation. The safety provided by the Iraqi Army, SoI and Coalition forces has contributed to the neighborhood citizens’ ability to work together. 

“The level of attacks has decreased, increasing security and giving (the people of Adhamiya) freedom of movement within their neighborhood to talk to one another,” said Broadwater. “They feel less threatened to voice their opinions.” 

The council is a method of capitalizing on the momentum and hope a more secure environment has brought forth. 

“It’s people within (the Adhamiya) area wanting to make a positive difference,” Broadwater said.

State of the Iraqi Army

More Soldiers, new firearms, better procedures, strengthen Iraqi Army

BAGHDAD — Vast improvements to Iraq’s national Army are leading to a force that will eventually stand on its own, a Coalition commander said today.

“They’re increasing their capabilities to be able to do that every day,” Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan told online journalists and bloggers during a conference call from Baghdad. Swan heads up the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team with Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq. 

“From my foxhole, from a training, from an equipment standpoint, from an operational standpoint, the way that they’re fighting today, the way that they’re standing firm in their ground, really conducting some sophisticated operations throughout the country, most notably, certainly out in al Anbar province, but also up in Ninevah and here in Baghdad as well, so a lot of great improvement on that line,” he said. 

Although the Army’s logistics system is in its infancy, the general explained, parts of the system are improving. 

“From the standpoint of unit-level logistics, they’re getting better,” Swan said. 

Setting up bases where Iraqi Soldiers can pick up supplies or even overhaul vehicles, as they can only at Taji national depot now, will take as long as 18 months to accomplish, the general said. That is why Coalition experts are embedded with Iraqi Soldiers to help determine solutions that make sense to Iraqis, he said. 

“We have really very robust logistics-expert teams that are in every support unit … trying to assist in establishing what the right logistics policies and procedures are,” Swan explained. “That effort is beginning to pay some very good dividends.” 

For example, cumbersome and strict procedures had been in place to circumvent corruption and to keep dangerous items out of the wrong hands, the general explained. “Every ammunition requisition up till now has had to come all the way back from Baghdad, get 29 or 30 signatures, and then get issued back out,” Swan said. 

Now, new procedures are in place to allow trusted Iraqi commanders on the ground to directly authorize the release of ammunition, even via telephone, without compromising security, the general said. 

Another significant development, the general explained, is the wide distribution of M-16 rifles to Iraqi Soldiers, replacing antiquated AK-47s. 

“They believe that it is a new, improved weapons system. They see Coalition forces using it to great effect, and they take it as a mark of moving forward,” Swan said. “It is, in my view, a badge of national pride for them to get the M-16.” 

New recruits to the Iraqi Army continue to volunteer every day, the general said. Each is fully vetted, and those chosen are prepared to deploy with one of 13 divisions of the Army that will patrol throughout the country by next year, Swan explained. Getting recently commissioned and noncommissioned officers into Iraqi formations as they are ready and continuing to mentor them is helping move the national Army toward self-sufficiency, the general explained. 

“Increasing capabilities of the tactical competence of Soldiers, leaders and units, partnering, certainly with our formations and being able to continue that and to have access to Coalition enablers is an important part of what they’re doing,” Swan said. 

(By David Mays, special to American Press Service)

Pressure on al-Qaida in Iraq

Sunday, 28 October 2007

By 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAQUBA — In a ten-day span, the 5th Iraqi Army Division, partnering with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division put the squeeze on al-Qaida in Iraq (AQIR) in back-to-back operations on Oct. 5 and 15, in Diyala province. 

The operations, titled “Rock Drill” and “Rock Bone Breaker” netted big cache finds for both the Iraqi Army (IA) and the 1- 38 Inf. Regt. The IA scored the first heavy blow against al-Qaida in Iraq when they found a large weapons cache in a cemetery north of Muradiyah during Operation Rock Drill. 

The cache was discovered by 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th IA Division, acting on information given by Concerned Local Citizens. It consisted of (6) automatic weapons, (4) two-way radios, (2) rocket propelled grenades, (2) anti-tank mines, (2) rifles, large quantities of ammunition and both electronic and print al-Qaida in Iraq propaganda. In addition, (2) improvised explosive devices were discovered nearby the cemetery. 

“The IA was definitely in control; they had the larger force and cleared all the culturally sensitive sites such as the mosque and the cemetery, finding the cache in the cemetery,” said Capt. Duane Bailey, 1-38 Inf.’ Bayonet Company commander. 

During the operation south of Muradiyah, a Stryker combat vehicle was struck by an IED, resulting in no injuries to the crew and minor damage to the vehicle. A command wire was discovered and traced, resulting in the detention of two individuals. Both men tested positive for traces of explosives on their hands and were subsequently turned over to the IA. 

On Oct. 15, 4-2-5 IA again teamed up with 1-38 Inf. for Operation Rock Bone Breaker, targeting a peninsula encompassed by the Diyala River, which is known to local Iraqi citizens as “the bone” and a village locally known as “Mechanics Two.” 

The mission was conceived by the 4-2-5 IA, then planned and undertaken jointly with 1-38. 

“This was a great mission, planned and executed with our partners from the 4-2-5 IA. It could not have been possible without the initiative of the IA,” stated Maj. Matt Moore, 1-38 operations officer. 

Bone Breaker was the Stryker Soldiers’ opportunity to shine, as they discovered one large weapons cache containing assorted weapons and ammunition as well as two smaller caches containing homemade explosives. 

The larger weapons cache, found on the peninsula, contained (20) propane tanks, (34) blasting caps, 500 feet of detonation cord, (21) assorted demolition charges, equipment for an 82 mm mortar team including the tube, tripod, ammunition, fuses and range quadrant scale, (3) rocket propelled grenades with rockets and various small arms ammunition. 

“4-2-5 IA and 1-38 Inf. Regt continue to develop a strong working relationship in their combined operations area,” stated U.S. Army Maj. James A. Van Atta, team leader for 4-2-5 Military Transition Team. “The IA is now able to take the lead in planning missions. Their development, their willingness to plan and then execute on the battlefield is encouraging.” 

These successful operations did not slow the 1-38 Soldiers and their IA partners as they continued to press the advantage. Both units again joined forces Oct. 19 and 20 to hold a Combined Medical Engagement and Humanitarian Aid drop in the south Baquba neighborhood of Khatoon. 

“The success of 3-2 Stryker Brigade, who was here before us, set the conditions for the success of recent operations. The IA here are proactive, learning all the time and doing well.” said Capt. Victor Satterlund, Attack Company commander, 1-38 Inf. “Together, we have kept AQIZ off balance and kept them from getting a foothold back in Baquba.”

“We have won the trust of the local population by providing security and working on projects such as water, medical aid, schools supplies and humanitarian aid,” Satterlund continued. “What you are seeing here is progress.”

More improvements

With the security situation under control, and al Qaeda pretty much neutralized, reconstruction and modernization in Iraq can continue. Let's look at some of what's going on because, you know, the New York Times isn't interested.

In Baghdad

It represents the heart of Baghdad's telecommunications system and will allow Iraq to connect to the world,” says an Iraqi engineer overseeing construction of the $22.7 million Al Mamoon Exchange and Telecommunications Center.
 
Currently the project is 27 percent complete and is scheduled to open next February. Mohammad Abdula, a lifelong resident of Baghdad, says phone service in Baghdad is available locally allowing residents to call those in their immediate neighborhood. “But unless you use a cell phone, you can't call friends and family on the other side of the Tigris River or to other cities in Iraq. This facility is the first step in restoring and improving phone service here.” He looks forward to the day when Iraqis can make international calls using their home phones as well as connecting to the internet.
 
The new facility will include a seven-story structure that will house communication switch gear and telecommunication offices. It will also include a 1300 sq. meter post office, a loading dock for delivery trucks,  a 250-car covered garage, and a cafeteria capable of serving 150 people. Currently 175 Iraqi construction workers are employed at the site. The contractor has his own concrete plant capable of producing 90 cubic meters of concrete per hour.
 
“The old Al Mamoon tower is a landmark known throughout Iraq. This new structure will provide reliable communications and be a focal point for the City of Baghdad. Architecturally, it's a signature project that all Iraqis can look to with pride.”

In Basrah

The construction site of the Basrah Children's Hospital is a hotbed of activity these days, with an average of 750 workers on the job each day, according to Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chad Lorenzana.
 
And this number likely will jump to 1,000 or more workers a day as the hospital project enters new phases, said Lorenzana, the resident engineer overseeing the project for the Basrah Office of the Gulf Region South district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 
The lieutenant commander provided these figures on a day when he guided a group of visitors around the high-profile project, whose list of patrons is headed by First Lady Laura Bush. Among the visitors were Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Dorko, who will assume command of USACE's Gulf Region Division on Oct. 10; Col. Dale Adams, the GRD deputy commanding officer; and Col. Steve Hill, the GRS commander.
 
After the visitors walked through the site and surveyed the progress being made, the general said that “it's a magnificent project and I can't wait to come back and see it when it's finished.” Construction is now 66 percent complete, Lorenzana said.
 
The 94-bed hospital, which will focus on oncology, is targeted to open in January 2009. Once badly foundering, the project has been moving ahead steadily since USACE assumed responsibility for its management and a new contractor was brought in.

And

In one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers largest electricity projects in southern Iraq, cluster pump electrical substations are being renovated in a $76 million effort to help increase oil field production in the North Rumaylah Oil Field.
 
“The Basrah Cluster Pump Stations are 10 electrical substations in total. They are a part of the overall oil infrastructure and one of the biggest and most costly challenges,” said Shawn Russell, deputy regional manager with the Gulf Region Division electricity sector.
 
The aim is to bring reliable power to the water injection facilities located within the North Rumaylah Oil Field and help increase Iraqi oil production, Russell said. “The projects are rehabilitated the existing substations which had been severely looted and damaged during the 1991 and 2003 wars.”
 
Russell said that while these substations are important elements of the Rumaylah oil field infrastructure, they will also provide employment opportunities and further the economic development not only of the Basrah area but the entire country. “An important component of each project is the training of operations and maintenance personnel,” he said. The training will develop individual's skills and increase the Iraqis' ability to sustain the facilities.
 
Army Maj. Rick Smith, operations officer with Basrah Oil Area Office, Gulf Region South district said the rehabilitation of the 10 cluster pump stations electrical systems is the biggest USACE electrical project in the Southern region of Iraq.
 
“USACE is working on various projects to ramp up oil production for Iraq and help improve its economy,” he explained. “Right now Iraq has the world's second largest proven oil reserves. According to oil industry experts, new explorations could probably raise Iraq's reserves to 200+ billion barrels of high-grade crude, extraordinary cheap to produce.”

In Nasiriyah

Work is nearly finished on a project to renovate the Nasiriyah Maternity and Pediatric Hospital, a facility whose re-opening has been eagerly anticipated by expectant mothers, medical professionals and many others in Dhi Qar Province in Southern Iraq.
 
John Overfield, a resident engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the hospital should be ready to be turned over to Iraqi authorities in a few weeks. Navy Cmdr. Michael Lang, officer in charge of Corps' Adder Area Office, is pushing for a turnover by Oct. 16. "I want to get this turned over," he said.
 
Lang credited Overfield with some "pretty heroic efforts" to jump-start the once-languishing project and to encourage the Iraqi contractor and the Corps' Iraqi construction engineers to team up and get the project into gear and to meet specifications and timetables. Overfield helped the contractor surmount many hurdles, Lang said.
 
Overfield said he had lengthy conversation with the contractor and sought at all times to deal with him with respect and as a professional. During a recent visit to the job site, Overfield politely peppered the contractor with questions about tasks remaining to be accomplished before the turnover can be made.   
 
The largest maternity hospital in Dhi Qar Province, the renovated facility will have 285 beds and a capacity to handle 40 deliveries a day or 1,200 a month, according to information provided by the Ministry of Health for Dhi Qar Province, which said the renovated hospital will host all the pediatricians and obstetricians in the province.
 
"Key Government of Iraq officials are working hard to improve services and recently noted that 2008 would be the Year of Services for the people," said Col. Steve Hill, commander of the Gulf Region South district of the Corps of Engineers. "This project will provide much needed services and is a success for the region around Nasiriyah."
 
"It's a beautiful facility," said Lang, the officer in charge of the Adder Area Office. "And it will do a lot of good once it's open again."

Stories like these aren't interesting to the Institutional Media: they don't bleed. But they are important to the national discussion about Iraq and the war against Islamists in general. But the bleeding is down in Iraq so the Institutional Media is trying to move on....

Congressional Democrats rode anti-war sentiment to victory last fall — but they are staking their success in the final months of this year’s calendar on more traditional domestic issues amid concern that the war may not be the potent political issue it once was by Election Day 2008.

With few Iraq votes expected in the next several weeks — a marked departure from the first nine months of the new Democratic-controlled Congress — Democrats are trying to build an agenda that’s heavy on health care, community policing, housing, tax reform and other issues.

“Iraq has always been the 800-pound gorilla in the room, but there are other issues to deal with,” said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “We did well with our initial agenda. Now we need to move on to a broader agenda.”

If by doing well you mean you prolonged al Qaeda's hope for victory up until the very last minute at the cost of addition lives, then yeah, you did just fine.

As for me, I'm not so impressed.

Tarmiyah sahwah

Tarmiyah opens its eyes to a new awakening
By Spc. John W. Crosby, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Oct 2, 2007 - 3:22:46 PM

Blackanthem Military News

TARMIYAH, Iraq – The Iraqi word sahwah means to wake up from sleep or to have a psychological awakening, and a sahwah or awakening of minds is currently taking place in Tarmiyah, Iraq, where tribal leaders and local residents have made the decision to stand up and fight terrorism.
   
Earlier this month, Iraqi Army soldiers and Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., began a joint effort to clear the city of al-Qaida.

Formerly a violent city and terrorist haven, Tarmiyah is now quickly becoming a place of peace and prosperity.

Tarmiyah was a stronghold for financing, planning, preparation and communications in support of al-Qaida. Kidnapping, ransom, extortion and murder against Tarmiyah residents funded the insurgent operations, said Lt. Col. William Prior, 4-9 IN commander.

The local Iraqi Police force was disbanded after the insurgents threatened to kill policemen and their families.

"Al-Qaida was the strongest dominating authority in Tarmiyah for a long time," said Iamad Said Jasim, head of the Tarmiyah tribal council, through on interpreter. "Even though they aren't an authority, members of rival groups and organizations were executed. They killed indiscriminately with no real consideration or mercy for the elderly, women or children."

Jasim said al-Qaida executed Iraqi citizens accused of spying for coalition forces and also those accused of apostasy, or turning away from their extremist religious beliefs. There are very few Shiites in Tarmiyah, and Al-Qaida – which is a Sunni organization – would pull men out of their cars, accuse them of being Shiite and execute them in the street.

Jasim himself lost two brothers to the insurgents and his home was twice hit by mortar rounds. Still he stands up proudly against the terrorist threat and has asked that his fellow Tarmiyah residents do the same.

The coalition forces' strategy to reclaim the city included the initial use of overwhelming combat power to kill or capture all ranks of terrorists who operated in and around the city, and to encourage Iraqi people to stand up and provide their own security.

This effort, dubbed Operation Headhunter, began Sept. 7. 4-9 Infantry along with the 4th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division searched and cleared over 20 tactical objectives around the city within the first two days of the operation. The successful operation set the stage for the awakening to occur.
   
"4-9's entrance into Tarmiyah has gladdened the peoples' hearts," Jasim said. "We feel safer now that they are here."

Jasim and other tribal leaders of Tarmiyah held a sahwah awakening ceremony Sept. 12. They publicly recognized and denounced terrorist activity and called for volunteers to step forward to protect their families and homes. This volunteer force, known as the Critical Infrastructure Security Contract Force, is now providing jobs, security and a sense of accomplishment to the people of Tarmiyah.
   
Volunteers are processed by coalition and Iraqi Army forces at a joint checkpoint on the east side of the city, an area used just weeks prior as an execution point by al-Qaida.
   
"We are not a people of terrorism, violence or hate," Jasim said. "The original families of Tarmiyah have always been against these horrible activities. We needed a security apparatus badly. The streets were very dangerous. We also needed jobs. Men couldn't even make enough money to buy bread to feed their families."

Prior said they expected maybe 50 volunteers, but the volunteer lines ran out the door and around the corner. Hundreds of men answered the awakening call. Many Tarmiyah residents stood in line for more than five hours, not leaving to eat, drink or relieve themselves for fear of losing their place in line. The doors were closed after 500 men were processed.

On the second day, the turn out was similar. Men lined up around the corner, all wanting to do their part. The doors were closed after 700 men were processed, putting the total number of volunteers at 1,200.

Five days after Operation Headhunter began clearing the city of al-Qaida, the Iraqi people saw the changes and were eager to join the effort.

"We are very happy and very proud about the turn out," Jasim said. "This proves the people are supporting their tribes and their leaders. It proves we are against the terrorists because we volunteer despite their previous threats against this kind of thing."
   
Prior said the men volunteered because of popular resentment among the Iraqi people toward insurgents. The Tarmiyah residents want a decent way of life with schools, running water, electricity and a stable economy – the things essential to survival. The local tribal leaders' influence and approval early in the operation was also a reason for the large turnout, Prior said.
   
The message to al-Qaida operating in the area is that they should not only fear U.S. and Iraqi soldiers, but they should also be fearful of the Iraqi people themselves.

"We will take the fight to them," Prior said "But they should be more afraid of the people because when the people decide to step up, (the insurgents) will have no where to run or hide. Terrorists fear a people who will not cower to them."

The Iraqi volunteers were given blue or yellow reflective belts to distinguish them as the newly appointed security force. The Iraqi Army armed the volunteers with AK-47s, and they were immediately put to work. The volunteer security force now mans checkpoints along with U.S. and Iraqi Army soldiers. They also provide security for local leaders and stand guard at the Tarmiyah market. 
   
Prior said volunteers continue to be processed, putting more Security Contract Force personnel to work where they are needed. Many of the volunteers are already trained Iraqi police that were forced into hiding by al-Qaida. The goal is to integrate them back into a fully-accepted police force recognized by the people and government of Iraq.

"The change in the last two weeks is remarkable," said 1st Lt. Michael Bennett, third platoon leader of Company C, 4-9 Inf. "The people wave and talk to us now. It used to be that when we walked up the streets, the shops would close on us. Al-Qaida would enforce strict fundamentalist Muslim laws. No smoking, no alcohol and forbade them from talking to us. And they didn't.

"The other night we were on the street out here and a group of men walked right up to us," Bennett continued. "Before the people would vanish after sunset. They came right through the gate and offered us information. It was unreal."
   
Bennett said he believes the people of Tarmiyah realize and understand that coalition forces are there to help them. Al-Qaida's goal was to control and dominate the city through terror, and Bennett believes the people see that is not the coalition forces' plan for Tarmiyah.
   
"Before we couldn't patrol the street for more than ten or 15 minutes without getting shot at," he said. "Today we walked the market for over two hours without any problems. I think that shows clear, distinctive progress in how things are going."
   
Three 4-9 Soldiers were killed and many more were wounded in action in Tarmiyah before the Awakening.

"The level of violence is way down," Prior said. "There have been a few IEDs, but a big difference in comparison to the daily violence of before. More importantly the attitude of the people and their participation has changed."

Prior said credit for the initial success goes to the Iraqi and U.S. soldiers.

"The Iraqi army has many quality men who are both patriots and great soldiers," he said. "Coalition forces and Iraqi Army did a great job in using controlled violence and expressing respect and restraint when required, which is essential to the mission for the Iraqi people."
   
Jasim said his people want an honorable and peaceful life. He hopes for a future where they can provide decent livings for their families while his people maintain their own security forces.   

Prior said they are still early in the process of reclaiming the city. The hardest part will be for the Iraqi people to overcome their justified fears of terrorist organizations and to sustain peace and security in the area. The peoples' attitude and behavior will be the deciding factor in preventing the terrorists from returning.

"The success is not measured in how many bad guys were killed or captured, Prior said. "Success will be measured in how the people react now that they're gone."

The battle is now psychological, political and economic more than military. Now it's up to the Tarmiyah citizens, and as the awakening indicates, they are well on their way to a peaceful and secure future.

Nothing's changed

Model neighborhood; Active local government keeps Qadisiyah thriving
By Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Jul 11, 2007 - 6:03:05 PM

Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq — Just to the west of the International Zone lays a neighborhood that has made great strides in achieving and maintaining peace and prosperity.

A little more than two years ago, the troops from the “Red Dragons” of the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment patrolled this neighborhood in hopes that it would become a beacon of stability for the area. Now, after the artillerymen from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have come back after that rotation, they have noticed that not much has changed. And that's a good thing according to several of the troops.
   
The troops maintain a consistent presence in the neighborhood nonetheless. Recently, instead of just patrolling and maintaining security, they made a stop in the neighborhood to spread a little cheer among the kids living there by handing out soccer jerseys, toys and school supplies July 2.
   
1st Lt. Joe McDonald said that many of the kids are well-known to his platoon. The Glenwood, Md., native also said that the kids are always eager to come out and see the troops when they roll in, especially when there's a chance of getting a toy or football.
   
One of the Neighborhood Advisory Council deputy chairmen boasted that Qadisiyah is the best neighborhood in Baghdad.  He's happy to show you why.
   
Instead of mounds of trash there are neatly-trimmed bushes along most of the streets and larger roads. Instead of empty shops, bountiful fruit stands and even a portrait studio are open and receiving business.
   
The owner of the shop said that he was very proud to be able to own his own business and that it was due to the hard work of both Coalition Forces and the local leaders.
   
This is all a stark contrast to the neighborhoods around Qadisiyah. The residents of Karkh along the once-infamous Haifa Street only began to go about their normal lives after intense fighting was slaked by Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces earlier this year.
   
But Qadisiyah has remained quiet. Capt. Don Cherry, commander of the Co. A "Gators," said that the neighborhood does a good job taking care of itself by sticking together and taking pride in what they achieved.
   
He said that many of the residents have been living in the area most of their lives, and they take an active role in community cohesion with events like the one for the kids and even humanitarian aid food drops for residents in need of assistance.
   
Some of the residents of the neighborhood are English-speaking Iraqis. Unlike the other residents, they have the unique ability to be able to carry on light-hearted conversations with the troops as they walk around talking to people.
   
While making their special delivery, Soldiers had their hands full with the small mob of children who had come out for the stuff.

Standing on their own

Without help from US forces, the Iraqi Army and security forces repelled an al Qaida attack in Mosul on Sunday.

Iraqi Security Forces repel attacks in Mosul
Sunday, 20 May 2007

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces repelled a large-scale terrorist attack in Mosul Wednesday.

Iraqi Security Forces countered several terrorists who targeted bridges, transition jails, police stations and a combat outpost with vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, sporadic small-arms fire and indirect mortar attacks throughout the evening.

“This was a total team effort on the part of the Iraqi Security Forces and emergency responders,” said U.S. Army Col. Stephen Twitty, commander of 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.  “This Iraqi team showed the people of Mosul that they are resolute in their efforts to defeat this very cowardly, desperate enemy while protecting innocent civilians.”

The first wave of attacks consisted of three VBIEDs, which targeted the Badush Bridge northwest of Mosul at 5:15 p.m., and was followed by another VBIED attack at the Aski-Mosul Bridge west of the city at 5:45 p.m.

Two more VBIEDs exploded outside a police station and a transition jail during the first wave.  The first VBIED was a dump truck, which detonated upon reaching the entrance to the station.  The driver of the second VBIED attempted to enter the compound but was killed by Iraqi Security Forces.

As the driver of the second VBIED was killed, terrorists attempted to breach the transition jail to release prisoners by using small-arms fire.  However, Iraqi Security Forces quelled the attempt and kept the facility secured.

The second wave of attacks involved another dump truck VBIED parked outside a southeast police station at approximately 7 p.m.  As the driver abandoned the vehicle, he was seen by Iraqi Police and was killed as he was fleeing the area.  The Iraqi Police immediately cordoned the vicinity before detonation.  No casualties resulted.

Small-arms fire erupted during the second wave at seven police stations throughout the city and one combat outpost.  In all cases, Iraqi Army and Police repelled the enemy and killed at least 15 terrorists and turned back the remaining opposition.

“The Iraqi Security Forces are in the lead, and they are certainly a capable force,” said Twitty.  “Their reactions to the attacks [on Wednesday] only serve to prove their ability to destroy and remove terrorists.  Their actions demonstrate their commitment to this city and its people.  I am extremely proud to serve beside them.”

According to Mosul police chief Gen. Wathiq, a citywide, a non-movement curfew was imposed citywide and bridges in the city were closed.  Iraqi Police and the Provincial Joint Communications Center coordinated recovery and casualty evacuation.

Small-arms fire and mortar attacks targeted Iraqi Security Forces and a Coalition base throughout the evening, but remained isolated and sporadic. 

By Thursday morning, Iraqi Police discovered three vehicles with numerous weapons and detained 30 suspects.  Iraqi Army and Police continued to sweep the areas as local leaders restricted movement around key infrastructure within the city.

In the days following the attack, coalition forces went on the hunt in Mosul

In Mosul, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists, including an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader responsible for identifying Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police targets, and directing attacks against them.

Using information from a successful raid May 21, Coalition Forces targeted associates of a suspected terrorist commander in Baghdad.  Two individuals were detained for their alleged involvement in the terrorist group, which conducts assassinations and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks....

A suspected commander of an IED cell in Mosul and an alleged senior cell leader there were detained during Coalition Forces operations in the area.  Intelligence reports also indicate the alleged senior cell leader formerly led a sniper cell.

So it goes...

Support your local sheriff

The Media (and Leftist) Myth is that Iraqis are not spilling enough Iraqi blood for their own freedom, that America is fighting their battle for freedom for them. As a result, many Americans believe the same thing. But that's only because the Media only focuses on the US sacrifice.

The facts of the matter are that the Media doesn't put anything in context nor do they report the full story. For instance, were you aware that

Iraqi Army's casualties are roughly five times those of U.S. forces.

according to Newsweek? And a recent NPR report states

Tens of thousands of Iraqi security personnel have been wounded in the past four years. The Iraqi government does not have accurate figures, but the U.S. Congressional Research Service estimates that by a year ago, more than 33,000 had been wounded.

It would be difficult for you to know that so many Iraqis have sacrificed for their country because if you did a Google search of Iraq Army casualties you will almost exclusively get stories about US military casualties in Iraq.

By contrast, here is an interesting graphic comparing military deaths under President Clinton to those from the fighting in Iraq.

Results taken from Iraq Coalition Casualties and Murdoc Online - Official Department of Defense Report(h/t Gateway Pundit)

The fact is many Iraqis are standing up for their country against the anti-Democratic forces arrayed against them. Recently locals helped out their police against a crew of enemy who attacked a checkpoint

Local citizens rushed to the aid of Iraqi policemen in southern Duluiyah and successfully defended an IP checkpoint from a terrorist attack, just northeast of Balad, Iraq, May 12.

Terrorists launched an attack on the IP checkpoint at approximately 11 p.m.. In response to the attack, 20 armed men from a nearby neighborhood assembled and quickly came to the aid of the policemen manning checkpoint.  This grass roots effort contributed a significant impact in thwarting the attack, said Maj. John Throckmorton, operations officer, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. 

A reaction force from 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Iraqi Army Division, also responded to the attack as reports flowed to the Iraqi-manned Balad Joint Coordination Center.   

“Iraqi emergency response procedures worked well at every level, from the initial report to coordination through the [JCC] to the response of the Iraqi army.  The fact that local citizens also responded according to a plan they developed for neighborhood defense is very encouraging and demonstrates how fed up communities are with terrorist attacks and threats,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Dunlop, commander of the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.

And the tribes local to Diyala  Province have banded together against al Qaeda

As Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces continue to provide security and stability throughout Diyala Province, Iraq, many tribal leaders are also uniting to bring peace and stand up against al-Qaida in Iraq.

After a peace agreement was signed between the paramount sheiks of the Karki and Shimouri tribes April 30, other tribal leaders have gathered throughout the region to do the same – provide peace and protection for their people and their lands. 
   
At the Al Abarrah Iraq Army compound, local leaders gathered May 10 to pave a way ahead for peace between some of the rival villages and gain a commitment toward a unified stand against al-Qaida while supporting the government. The leaders also focused on the establishment of a police force in Zaganiyah.

And this is precisely what happened in al Anbar province months ago resulting in a much improved quality of life for the local residents as confirmed by on-the-ground reports from Michael Yon to Glenn Reynolds

Am still in Anbar and just went another day without hearing a single shot fired. Am out with a small group of Marines who live with a much larger group of Iraqis. I enjoy the Iraqi food more than the food at the dining facilities. Some of the Marines out here live in shipping containers. Their "toilet" is WAG bag. (Waste Alleviation and Gelling.) It's every bit as exciting as it sounds. Basically it's a little ziplock baggie -- one-time use only.

I was told that a chemical munition (artillery shell) was found within the last few days.

Today, went on a patrol with Iraqis and a couple of Marines and we talked with Iraqi villagers for a couple of hours. I got to talk with a man who was about 81. His hearing was not good, so I had to sit close. He said he worked for the British RAF here in about 1945-46. I asked him if the British treated him well and he said they treated him very well. Said he made the equivalent of about 25 cents per day but that was good money back then. There is, in fact, a British-Polish-Indian-Aussie-Kiwi cemetery nearby. (I visited and photographed many of the headstones some days ago.)

All the villagers we got to talk with were very friendly. Kids wanted their photos taken, that sort of thing. They were not asking for candy and that was nice. There was a train track nearby (looked to be in very good condition), and a locomotive turned over on its side, derailed. I asked a man what happened, and he said that about four years ago, during the war, an "Ali Baba" (thief) tried to steal the train but ran head-on into another train! He said the police caught the Ali Baba and he has no idea what happened after that.

Marines are getting along well with the locals. They wave a lot, and stop to talk. If the rest of Iraq looked like this, we could all come home!

I guess all that local Iraqi support is paying off.

But you wouldn't know it by the Media reports.

 

Parent to child

McClatchy reports

Four months after President Bush launched his new Iraq strategy, the U.S. troop buildup there is proceeding apace, but feuding among Iraqi politicians and power brokers threatens to block the political reforms on which the success of the plan depends.

It's unfortunate that Iraq had this particular time in US political history as an example of how to run a Democracy because, you know, it seems as if they are emulating their exemplar.

"Democrats have spent four months spinning their wheels with partisan political exercises when we could have gotten the right thing done in one week," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican.

As they say in the child-rearing world, the child will attempt to imitate the parent, having them as their only example.

What kind of an example is Congress setting? Surly Congress can't demand of Iraq what they themselves are unable to do. I mean, what happened to the "100 day" benchmark they set for themselves? And what happened to their campaign to end the "culture of corruption"? It seems to me that what they really did was end the Republican culture of corruption and replaced it with their own.

Iraqis aren't used to dealing with political parties nor are they used to thinking about country over tribal affiliation.

And it seems Congress isn't either.

So why is our Congress asking more of their congress than our Congress can deliver?

I'm just sayin....