For the first time since sectarian tension embroiled the Balad area, Sunni and Shia sheiks and local community leaders gathered in the same place to promote unity amongst the myriad of tribes.

More than one hundred sheiks and tribal elders from the communities of Duluiyah, Ishaki and the surrounding area gathered in a town-hall style meeting on April 3 to discuss repairing fractious differences in an attempt to bring peace and prosperity to the citizens of the region, which is comprised of about 40 percent Shia and 60 percent Sunni.

While tensions mount in the southern province of Basra, Shia and Sunni leaders have pledged cooperation and unity in the Balad area in an effort to stimulate the local economy through recent security gains.

Government Leaders Speak
Among the Shieks and elders, the governor of the Salah ad Din province, Hamad Hamood Shekti, was all smiles as he spoke enthusiastically about the way forward for the Iraqi people.

“There is hope here today,” said Shekti who praised the sheiks for setting aside their differences to build on common ground.

“Today we are not Shi’a or Sunni, we are Iraqis,” he said.

Employment and security were on the minds of most of the Iraqi influencers as they clamored over which comes first, jobs or guns. For many here, the answer is jobs.

“We must be able to support our families,” said a Sunni sheik.

“We must be able to work together,” he said.

Past History Reversed
In 2006 the flow of commerce and transportation were severed along sectarian fault lines causing small businesses and the local economy to suffer, but as the security situation continues to improve here, many Iraqis are heading back to work and are beginning to recognize the need to travel freely.

The sheiks also discussed bolstering the Iraqi security forces in the area to ease travel restrictions.

To facilitate the people’s trust and a more prosperous marketplace, Iraqi leaders are pushing for a more diversified security force that reflects the face of the people.

“I would like to see more people volunteer for the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police,” said Balad Mayor Amar Hali Mirhon.

“More participation from other tribes encourages the population to trust the army and police,” he said.

As the people of the Balad area continue to see an improved security situation, they are gaining confidence in the cooperation between local leaders.

“We understand that a lot of people lost their jobs because of past events, but we have settled our differences, and we welcome you all,” said Balad City Council Vice President Malik Lafta Ahmad.

DVIDS
By Spc. Rick Rzepka
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

Fruit orchards are a viable industry in al Buaytha, providing income for area farmers and affecting other aspects of the local economy.

Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, are currently gathering information on all the farmers, finding out their needs, how much they produce, how many workers tend the land and how much land they own.

Based on this knowledge, the unit can help the farmers increase their productivity.

This database of information will help the unit determine if any farms need additional workers. As the Sons of Iraq program is phased out, other forms of employment will be essential.

Finding opportunities for the SoI may help create jobs for those not accepted into the Iraqi security forces.

These opportunities range from work on the farms, to related agricultural jobs such as canal cleaning and widening, water pump maintenance, services to move produce to market, work to repair roads used for transporting goods and mechanics to fix transportation vehicles.

MNF-I
By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces reinforced a political party headquarters building and three ISF checkpoints after an attack by terrorist forces March 25.

An Iraqi Army checkpoint was engaged by terrorist forces at approximately 11 a.m. by small-arms fire near the Daawa Party Building in Sadr City. The IA soldiers repelled the enemy forces and secured their checkpoint and the building.

Three checkpoints also came under enemy fire. The ISF and CF quickly reinforced the positions. The combined efforts of these forces caused the terrorists to flee the area.

During one of the engagements, an air weapons team was called in for support.

The air crew engaged the enemy forces.

MNF-I

Just a couple of pics to illustrate what we mean by a cache.

BANI SAID, Iraqi (March 3, 2008) A soldier from the Iraqi Security Forces stands near a cache of munitions and many large weapons systems unearthed by Iraqi and U.S. Army Soldiers. A local supporter of reconciliation led the Soldiers to the cache in the Diyala Province of Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sean Mulligan

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DVIDS
By Pfc. Jerry Murphy
Regimental Combat Team 1

In the early morning hours of Feb. 23, Marines of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, heard gunshots in the distance, which quickly escalated into a spontaneous gunfight.

The Marines located the source of the fire, after a short assessment of the situation, and upon request from provincial security forces, they patrolled to a warehouse where the gunfight was taking place.

With the PSF already battling the insurgents, the Marines quickly set up a cordon and provided security for the Iraqi police.

“The PSF immediately responded to the incident and requested our support,” said Sgt. Robert K. Breese, the Co. G watch officer during the attack. “The PSF battled and neutralized the insurgents, with the Marines providing security just in case (the firefight) turned bad.”

This incident shows how the Iraqis are no longer relying on the Marines to come in and eliminate threats; rather they are taking matters into their own hands, fending off enemies themselves, for the safety of their country.

“Golf (Company) showed tremendous discipline when they arrived, allowing the Iraqi police to finish what they started,” said Maj. Gary A. Bourland, the battalion watch officer at the time. “A year ago, the Marines would have shown up to a situation like this and immediately eliminated the enemy themselves. Now, it’s almost as if we look over their shoulders and, if necessary, take down the enemy.”

The insurgent forces detonated two personnel-borne improvised explosive devices during the battle, killing themselves. There was said to be a third PBIED, but the Iraqi police neutralized the insurgent before it could be detonated. The Iraqi police also reported that the vehicle the insurgents were traveling in was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which resulted in the Marines widening their cordon to accommodate for the possible VBIED.

“They’re learning to take initiative and eliminate threats on their own,” said Breese, a 30-year-old from White Water, Wis. “Although two PBIEDs detonated, the PSF did a good job and gave us good (intelligence), which caused us to widen our security.”

Bourland agreed and said, “The IPs and PSF are becoming more proactive and aware, not just complacent on their posts. There was a Sheikhs meeting going on later in the day about five or six miles from where this all happened. Their insight stopped a potential attack at the meeting or to another hard target.”

Though the threats were eliminated with minimal friendly casualties, three members of the PSF were killed-in-action and one was wounded-in-action.

“In the Iraqi security forces continuing efforts to achieve independence, these soldiers unselfishly put their lives on the line for the good of the Iraqi people,” Bourland said. “This is just another good example of how the civilian populace and Iraqi army are standing up against the insurgents and making a difference.”