Life is beginning to return to normal on the streets of Taza, Iraq, after a car bomb devastated the primarily Turkish city in Kirkuk province, in late June.

Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was welcomed by Taza city mayor, Talib, and street vendors alike Aug. 24, as he came to see how the city has continued its recovery.

According to Talib, the city has running water, electricity and functional sewers again. Many businesses have reopened their doors, and a large number of the people who were living in tents have moved out to stay with relatives.

Although things are going well, the mayor said residents of the city still need help.

“We need a lot of goods,” he said. “The city still needs to provide for the victims of the attack and it needs help to do it.”

After the attack, the city relied heavily on donations and support from the Government of Iraq, various non-government organizations and 2nd BCT but, recently, supplies have dwindled.

At one point soon after the attack, they actually had too much and were losing some perishable goods, said McNeely. Now, supply levels have dropped and the people need further assistance.

“As long as you have people in the tent city, and their houses aren’t rebuilt, there is a requirement to provide for them,” he continued.

One way the GoI has pledged to support the victims of the attack is through grants and payments to rebuild their homes, repair business and replace goods lost or destroyed.

Talib said he had recently submitted more than 400 applications to the GoI regarding these payments, and he expects that they will be paid fairly quickly.

“This will allow them to get back on their feet,” said McNeely.

After speaking with the Talib, McNeely visited several reopened businesses along the market street in Taza.

In recent weeks, 2nd BCT has delivered several micro-grants to businesses in the area to pay for damages and purchase new supplies.

“Obviously, many people lost a lot in the attack,” said McNeely. “This is an infusion of cash that helps them rebuild their businesses.”

Taza has also constructed a new burial site and monument to honor those who lost their lives during the attack.

“They [Taza residents] took a temporary grave site and made it into a very fitting monument,” said McNeely. “It’s very nice, very well done.”

Although there is much that still needs to be rebuilt, Taza is making progress, and McNeely and the others who visited were excited to see it.

“The city is functioning, the stores are open, and the people are going on with their lives,” said McNeely.

MNF-I

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated in the Iraqi city of Taza in Kirkuk province, killing at least 82 Iraqi civilians and wounding approximately 200, June 20.

Taza Police and Iraqi emergency services responded quickly by securing the area, beginning rescue efforts and transporting the wounded to a local hospital for medical care. Residents from several neighboring villages also arrived to assist in the rescue.

Mayor Talib, the mayor of Taza, arrived at the scene and began coordinating the humanitarian efforts by establishing a shelter for families of the victims inside the mosque grounds where the blankets and water were distributed. Many of the town’s residents, and others from neighboring towns, contributed to the relief efforts.

“Every neighboring village is lending a hand,” said Lt. Col. Andy Shoffner, the commander of 4th Sqdn. 9th Cav. Regt., who arrived on scene shortly after the attack and whose unit provided the assistance.
Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, assisted by providing humanitarian aid in the form of water and blankets; assisted in controlling traffic; coordinated for light sets to better allow relief workers in finding survivors; and U.S. scout helicopters provided air support.

According to Maj. Ian Palmer, the 4th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. Operations officer, the target was believed to be the town’s mosque, but the bomber instead drove into a residential neighborhood less than one hundred yards from the mosque. The bomb struck shortly after midday prayers.

In compliance with the Security Agreement signed by Iraq and the United States on January 1, 2009, U.S. forces continue to transition to an enabling role in the security of Kirkuk province. .

To inform officials about suspicious behavior involving this or any incident of possible terrorism, call 104 or 345 on a cell phone, from a land-line the number is 650-034.

MNF-I