America's North Shore Journal

quote from an Iranian pilgrim, with his family, crossing the border to go to the Ashura festivities for the first time.

Today’s Bloggers’ Rountable was with Brigadier General Edward Cardon, Deputy Commanding General (Support) Multi-National Division-Center(MND-C). We talked about the situation in the Task Force Marne AO, and there was some surprising news.

The Iraqi security forces handled the recent Ashura festivities by themselves. Two million pilgrims. General Cardon describes Najaf and Karbala as being in the midst of an economic boom. The next festival is a couple of weeks away and the Iraqis are planning for 8 million pilgrims.

Many of the pilgrims that General Cardon saw on the Iran/Iraq border were with tours. The Iraqis have established good control over their border in this area and are thorough with their checks at the border.

Not just pilgrims are crossing the border. About a hundred trucks a day cross, carrying oil to Iranian refineries, and refined oil products for sale in Iraq. Less than a year ago, it was 8 trucks a day.

General Cardon emphasized that local and regional governments are growing in ability and influence. He sees the locals increasing pressure on the national government, from the bottom up. As an example, he cites recent discussions between the governments of Anbar and Karbala provinces.

Cardon sees two reconciliations going on in his AO. The Sunni / Shia reconciliation is “moving pretty good”. Then there is the reconciliation between the various Shia factions.

The General gives credit to Muqtada al-Sadr for calling a cease-fire last year. That has allowed most of the progress in the AO.

The Iraqis have become adept at adapting to the infrastructure shortfalls. Where a few months ago, the citizens were asking for increased security, now they are looking for better water and schools.

Cardon told us that AQI in the region is now fewer in numbers, and with 35,000 concerned citizens, lacking in support. The General spends a lot of time working on job creation and training, to ensure that the CLCs don’t return to supporting AQI or another insurgent group.