Posted on 11/15/2007 9:33:09 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
‘Historic occasion’ highlights increased level of cooperation from former foes.
BAGHDAD — Sunnis in Baghdad are signing up in large numbers to join Shiite-dominated Iraqi security forces — a sign, according to the U.S. Army, that Sunnis here are keen to follow the path to peace taken by their kinsmen in Anbar province.
On Thursday, dozens of young Sunni men showed up for an Iraqi security forces recruiting drive at Joint Security Station Cougar, a base in Baghdad’s Sadiahy neighborhood that is home to Company F, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry (Stryker) Regiment and several hundred, mostly Shiite, Iraqi police officers.
“This is an historic occasion,” said the 2nd Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Myron Reineke, as he shook hands, first with Fasul Abued Hasson al Joburi, a Sunni sheik who led about 100 members of his clan onto the base to apply for security forces jobs, then with Lt. Col. Fakhir Idair Al Bahadpy, who heads a 400-man battalion of Iraqi police.
Iraqis call the phenomenon of Sunnis joining local security forces “following the light in the west,” one of the U.S. soldiers at JSS Cougar said. In Anbar province, most Sunnis have switched allegiance this year, from backing al-Qaida to supporting the coalition, a move that has led to a drastic reduction in violence west of Baghdad.
Once on base, the Sunni recruits underwent a physical training test that involved running about 80 yards and doing five push-ups and five sit-ups. Then they were checked by an Iraqi doctor and added to a biometric database.
“I bring my people here to join up to protect our area. It is something new in our life. We want all the Iraqis to mix in here without any problem. Just together in one Iraq. When the Sunni and Shia mix, it will be better. Not just one side,” al-Joburi said, through a translator.
Local Sunnis do not trust the police, he added, “… but if police come with American Army, we are safe because Americans believe in human rights, unlike the police.”
Lt. Col. Faqir Idair al Bahadpy, who commands the 172nd National Police Battalion, which has about 400, mostly Shiite, police serving with it, welcomed the Sunni recruits.
“I need more Sunni people in my force so I can be more effective. I want equality not only for Sunni and Shia. It shouldn’t matter if they are Christians, Turkmen or where they are from. These people can serve the community,” he said, also through a translator.
Al Bahadpy acknowledged that the Sunni community did not trust the police, but said negotiation is building trust, step by step.
“There was a barrier between police and the Sunni population, but when I have Sunnis (the recruits) inside the base this is a big step. I know they are scared and I talk to them and tell them what is happening,” he said.
Company F 1st Sgt. Michael Callaghan-McCann, 44, of Everett, Wash., said the recruiting drive was the first in the neighborhood.
“It is pretty significant that the Sunnis showed up. It means they want change and peace on their streets,” he said.
Four weeks after Company F arrived and started daily patrols with the Iraqi police, progress is happening, Callaghan-McCann said.
“The other night after they (the Iraqi police) finished a patrol, they found what they thought was a (roadside bomb). They showed it to our guys who agreed … and called (explosive ordnance disposal) to deal with it. It was (the Iraqi police) identifying a problem instead of turning a blind eye,” he said.
Reid, Pelosi, Durbin, et al are deeply pained.
Thank you for posting this good news. This recent change is the most hopeful thing I have seen in years.
Ping for good news.
Carefull, they could be all the insergents that they are letting out of prison re-joining so they can get a uniform.
I now believe, after watching C-Span the last few days, that both Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are liars, whose only purpose is to ensure the defeat of America in the war on terror.
I checked out your profile page. Thanks for the two quotes. They are both especially pertinent for America at this time.
You are more than welcome Sir.
Clearly the cream of the cop crops.......:o)
NOTE: Reported by Stars and Stripes - not the MSM - so it can’t be true. Thank goodness, that must mean we are still losing the war. /sarcasm off
Or maybe the Sunnis are just now frealizing the obvious: that they will never be top dog again, and that if they want a solid piece of the action, they had better play the game the way the Kurds have. Carve out a niche. It is quite possible that the territory they control will be a good bargaing chip, even if it doesn’t (although it probably DOES) have oil reserves buried. Anyway, so long as they are getting paid by the central government to maintain security, that is a left-handed way to get a share of the oil revenue.
ping!
Thank you for putting this article on the sidebar. It is important news.
There is a minor error in the article.
The INP Bn is the 1-7-2 Bn vice 172 Bn.
1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division.
Thank you for the correction.
The Stars and Stripes is hardly a cheer leader for everything the military does. I have read articles that seemed as if they came right off the pages of the NYT or WP.
By no means are they anti military but the take pains not to rubber stamp every thing the military does.
Thank you.
This is most heartening to see. The additional bloodshed caused by al-Zarqawi and his minions is finally beginning to abate. The reconciliation appears to taking hold and dare I say, reaching a watershed moment. Good for them..and thank God for our mena and women there helping to make this happen.
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