Articles Comments

America's North Shore Journal » Entries tagged with "SoI"

Sons of Iraq Status Update

January 8th, 2009 | Comments Off

Today’s Bloggers’ Roundtable was with Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Kulmayer, Chief of Reconciliation and Engagement, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. He discussed the on-going transfer of the Sons of Iraq [SoI] to the Iraqi government. The Sons of Iraq is a program developed by Coalition forces based upon the success seen in al Anbar Province with the Anbar Awakening. The Awakening was a largely volunteer effort that predated the SoI progam by nearly a year. The SoI were locals who were recruited for infrastructure security duties within their community. They use their personal weapons and guard buildings, operate security checkpoints and patrol highways. At its height, the SoI program employed 94,000 men in 9 provinces. Some 800 contracts were in place allowing these SoI to be paid by the Coalition. Overall hiring … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Payments to Sons Of Iraq Go Smoothly

November 20th, 2008 | Comments Off

The first successful Iraqi government-led pay period of monthly wages to more than 26,000 Sons of Iraq in Multi-National Division Baghdad’s area of operations in Baghdad, which began Nov. 10, comes to an end Nov. 20. “The Government of Iraq has followed through on its commitment to pay everyone,” said Lt. Col. Arnold Csan, civil affairs planning team chief and division SoI officer with the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “The reality at this point is, over 93 percent have been paid the $300 that the Government of Iraq promised them, which is the same amount we were paying last month,” Csan said. As of Nov. 19, 24,810 of the 26,000 SOIs in Baghdad have been paid their salaries. There were a few discrepancies in a couple of Iraqi units … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Sons of Iraq Thwart Enemy Attack

June 12th, 2008 | Comments Off

And by thwart, we mean “killed them dead”. Sons of Iraq members thwarted an enemy attack in the Salah ad Din Province that resulted in the killing of four al-Qaeda in Iraq members June 11. An SOI element killed four AQI members, three of whom were wearing suicide vests, after being attacked while responding to a report of civilians being attacked in their homes. Additionally, a vehicle at the scene was wired to be a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. MNF-I … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

The Way Ahead for Sons of Iraq

May 14th, 2008 | Comments Off

When the Surge Strategy is documented in history, the Sons of Iraq program will be listed as one of its successes. Now, long-term plans are being developed so that gains aren’t lost as its members transition into other roles. In the past year, the SoI have been instrumental in transforming the security landscape of Iraq. Since the start of the program, areas where SoI operate have witnessed an unprecedented drop in violence and terrorist-related activities. Currently, about 36,000 SoI operate in Multi-National Division – Center, the region south and southeast of Baghdad. Organized via local tribal authorities, SoI are ordinary citizens who stepped up to take responsibility for securing their neighborhood. Their contributions to the country’s current stability cannot be overemphasized. Capitalizing on the gains made by the SoI, efforts can … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror