Iraqi Soldiers from get ready to enter a suspected insurgent's home during a massive cordon and search operation. Official Department of Defense photo.
Posted on 12/17/2006 11:11:10 AM PST by SandRat
Terrorists in Diyala province continue to try to destabilize the democratic Iraqi government through the use of improvised explosive devices, snipers, kidnappings and threats to innocent Iraqis, Col. David Sutherland, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite news conference from his headquarters in Baqubah, Iraq.
“However, it does not mean that they have won the battle there; in fact, far from it,” Sutherland said of the terrorists’ efforts in his area of operations.
Iraqi Soldiers and Police in his area aren’t being cowed by the terrorists’ actions, Sutherland said.
“The Iraqi people are responding with great courage,” he said, noting he’d recently witnessed bravery by a detachment of Iraqi police at a checkpoint who came under insurgents’ small-arms fire.
“These men were low on ammunition, food and water, but they did not break,” Sutherland said of the Iraqi Police. “They stood their post, stood their post diligently.”
Since assuming responsibility for security operations in Diyala province in early November, Sutherland said, his Soldiers have been busy training Iraqi Soldiers and Police while taking the fight to extremists.
“Second, we are conducting stability and reconstruction operations to help the people of Iraq build a new life and a stable and secure environment,” the colonel said.
Sutherland said his troops work closely with Iraqi Police and Soldiers. “This is a cooperative relationship. Coalition Forces provide assistance and planning, logistics and operations, but increasingly, it is the Iraqi Security Forces that are in the lead,” he said.
Diyala province is about the size of Maryland and has an ethnically-mixed population of about 1.5 million people, Sutherland said. The province is so ethically diverse that it is known as “Little Iraq.”
Agriculture is the province’s main industry, he said, noting the region’s date harvest was up 75 percent from a year earlier, while its rice production jumped 50 percent from a year ago.
Baqubah’s open-air markets are open for business, Sutherland said, adding that the provincial government is functioning and doing its work. A notable provincial government program actively seeks to more fully engage the area’s various tribal and ethnic groups in the political process. “This sort of initiative is critical to the long-term stability of the province,” Sutherland said.
Iraqi security forces are developing new tactics to use against terrorists operating in the province, Sutherland said, while his troops continue to train local police and Iraqi soldiers. “We are dedicated to helping the Iraqi security forces become a professional force that treats people with respect and enforces the rule of law, a force that is non-sectarian, professional and devoted to the safety and security of all Iraqis in the province,” Sutherland said.
Developing a multi-ethnic, democratic culture in a land that’s only known dictatorship for decades isn’t an easy task, and it will take time, the colonel said.
Yet, despite challenges, he said, the 3rd BCT’s troops are working hard in Diyala province, teaching Iraqi Army and Police leaders “how to be good representatives working on behalf of their people.”
God bless them. And God bless our troops.
The Iraqi security forces, military and police, have lost twice as many killed as we have. Yet, they still attract volunteers. The MSM does not recognize their sacrifice.
Nor does the whining leftist defeatocrats who insist that the Iraqis are doing nothing to secure their own country- the pathetic left ignores FACTS and propos up lies time and time again- they both- the far left dems and the MSM- are a blight on this country and a curse to those who fight for freedom around the world! http://sacredscoop.com
Courageous arabs only exist as freaks of nature.
I have been sitting at my comp desk for 10 minutes thinking of something to post, you did it for me lol. Thankyou :)
My pleasure :)
A LOT of Iraqis have been fighting tooth and nail against terorists and more Iraqis have been KILLED e.g.: shed their own blood, payed the ultimate sacrifice, BY terrorists, while fighting to earn their freedom to live as THEY choose. Shame on you.
An Iraqi isn't nevessarily an Islamist. Shame on you, too.
Jeff
Looks like a little recognition problem as you two describe, going on with Spiro...
Is true :)
For the most part.
What part of Islam do you like ?
To be honest, the Muslims I like, are the ones that have never opened up a Koran.
I wonder though, who would the "Moderate Muslim" take the side of in a truly Islamic land ? The Kafir, or other Muslims?
There are two main reasons they identify themselves as Muslim anyway. One: it's safer. Two: being born and raised in a predominantly Muslim country, they just generally consider themselves Muslim by default, if not by defact (sorry)
There are two main reasons they identify themselves as Muslim anyway. One: it's safer.
This is why I deplore islam, not Muslims. It is not safe for Non Muslims, or Muslims that would dare befriend a non-Muslim , as he or she would be an apostate of Islam, and killed. Not too mention even leaveing Islam calls for a death sentence, from the teachings of Sahih Bukhari (hadiths).
Where ever islam goes though, problems follow. Best of wishes to you and yours. Jeff
Agreed with the above post. I can relate. You take care too. Going off for supper.
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