SoI First Payday Under Govt of Iraq
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, joined their Iraqi counterparts at various locations across western Rashid to assist Iraqi Security Forces issuing the first payday to the Sons of Iraq Nov. 10-13.
The long-awaited payday activities are a critical step in uniting the Iraqi people for the future of Iraq, said Staff Col. Ali Abood Thamer, commander of the 1st Battalion, 53rd Brigade, 14th Iraqi Army Division.
“What is happening here, in my opinion, is extremely important because we are training them, putting tools in their hands, and what is the most important thing, taking them away from terrorism,†Ali said. “We are going to give them money; we are going to give them jobs; we are going to give them goals for their future lives.â€
Ali said that he took responsibility for supervising and paying the more than 1,000 West Rashid SoI in the Hayy Furat and Hayy Jihad communities after the Government of Iraq assumed control of the citizens-led security program Oct. 1.
“We are bringing all these people into the IA and the National Police,†said Ali. “They are extremely important because we can train them, and they will be our eyes in the muhallahs. They will keep us better informed on the overall situation.â€
Initially beginning in early 2007, Coalition forces sponsored the SoI program, an Iraqi initiative employing local citizens as security guards for their neighborhoods and communities.
The program, which grew stronger with the recognition and support of the Iraqi people, multiplied the presence of the ISF and increased security in the area, said Capt. Christopher Watkins, commander, Company C, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
In light of the growing concern by the SoI members that the Iraqi government would disband the program, the ISF have, in fact, embraced it, said Watkins.
“They have allowed the supervisors to maintain their roles and will hold the Sons of Iraq accountable in the same way that Coalition forces have always done,†he explained. “My guess is because it is yet another step in the right direction for Iraq — another step toward the Iraqi people securing their country for themselves.â€
Coalition forces will continue to oversee ISF and SoI activities for the foreseeable future to ensure that the transition occurs without any issues as ISF increasingly take the lead in providing security for the citizens of Iraq, he said.
