Posted on 07/25/2006 4:09:40 PM PDT by SandRat
FOB KALSU – The southern portion of Iraq is reaping the long overdue benefits of infrastructure rebuilding and trained security forces.
Although the areas in the Karbala, Najaf and Babil provinces still have their share of turbulence, some of the success the provinces are enjoying stems from the willingness of local tribes to work together to put their part of Iraq back together, said Capt. Dave Zaino, commander, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
“We are going into areas in the northern sector of our area of operations, finding a large population who are putting the pieces back together on their own,” said Zaino.
Last week, Zaino met with Sheik Mohammed for the first time and found he and the surrounding tribes were working on a joint project on their own to improve the water system in their area. Mohammed solicited help from the Obide, Guerarie, Jabor and Gueranie tribes, along with his own tribe to assist with the project.
“His initiative is a model of sincere leadership and accountability and is a positive step in boosting the idea of democracy and faith in the Government of Iraq,” said Zaino.
Zaino also met with Sheik Najim for the first time and said he found him willing to discuss his tribe’s issues. Najim expressed his greatest concerns, which were also water and security in the region, and agreed to another visit a few days later.
“We organized a patrol to the region with elements of the 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, and pushed out to the Obide region early Saturday,” said Zaino. “As a good-faith gesture, the Iraqi army soldiers brought cases of bottled water and humanitarian supplies for the farmers in the surrounding areas as a way of showing their willingness to work with the tribes and also to win their trust and confidence.”
When the combined force arrived, it was only Najim and his family who received the Soldiers, but as the morning wore on, tribal members from the immediate area joined the gathering and listened respectfully. While Najim discussed the issues of his tribe with Zaino, the IA soldiers were busy handing out the supplies to the tribal farming community.
Najim again said he was very concerned about the water supply, which was rapidly dwindling due to a build up of debris in the canals and lack of adequate pumping systems and power generation. He said the water supply had steadily decreased since the original invasion in 2003 due to the lack of funding for upkeep of the pumping equipment, generators and canal maintenance.
He showed Zaino and Staff Sgt. Samantha Mahan, team leader, 412th Civil Affairs Detachment, 2nd BCT, the small well in front of his home and a small outlet from the canal in back of his home. Both water sources seemed to be contaminated, which required the family to boil their water to make it potable, said Mahan.
“When we see problems like this, we evaluate the water sources and determine short term and possible long term solutions. As civil affairs Soldiers, it is our job to affect change in circumstances such as these. These changes don’t occur overnight, but with the cooperation of the unit and support of the command, we can certainly make a difference to a community like this one,” said Mahan.
Mahan said the Saddam regime provided funding to the farmers much like our welfare system in the U.S. The farmers relied on the funding to run their farms and provide needed supplies. The concept of making their own decisions regarding the revenue generated by their efforts is very new to them.
“We are basically starting from the ground up teaching them how to be businessmen and are experiencing great success,” said Mahan. “We found that starting with the younger generation, with the approval of the elders, has improved those chances of success.”
Zaino reiterated that the best weapon in his arsenal is talking directly to the tribal sheiks because he can influence a group of 200 rather than by talking to one person or family at a time.
“We win the trust of the tribe when we win the trust of the sheik,” said Zaino. “As we do this, the IA is also winning the trust of the tribe by showing they are the ones providing security and support to the communities.”
“We all benefit from our relationship; we promote the IA as a viable security force and a group who is truly supportive providing the community the safety and stability they need. In turn, the communities help us by quelling terrorist activity in their areas,” said Zaino.
During a lunch of lamb, rice and bread, Najim addressed the security situation in depth, reiterating his concern for the safety of his tribe and surrounding tribes. He said he sees no difference in Sunni and Shia, and when CF arrived in their region in 2003, he directed the people in the region not to resist. He seemed very proud of the fact that not one shot was fired from his tribe.
He pointed out that he also encouraged his tribe to vote in every election because he truly believes in the democratic process.
“This is part of what makes my people great,” he said.
By the end of the visit, the room was full of tribal members. The respect they showed Najim made it apparent he was a strong leader, seemingly admired by all.
Zaino said he was very pleased with the results of the meeting as was Sheik Najim. “We both got what we wanted – the move toward security, stability and prosperity in the Obide region, I can live with that. The difference we make here is what we take home with us,” he said.
FOB KALSU – The southern portion of Iraq is reaping the long overdue benefits of infrastructure rebuilding and trained security forces.
Although the areas in the Karbala, Najaf and Babil provinces still have their share of turbulence, some of the success the provinces are enjoying stems from the willingness of local tribes to work together.
Coming together for the common good.
Excellent story!
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