Posted on 05/12/2009 6:09:32 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD, May 12, 2009 A partnership among the local government, Iraqi security forces and the 1st Infantry Divisions 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, has given citizens of northwestern Baghdads Hurriyah neighborhood an improved community.
Were trying to show the people of Hurriyah, the people who live outside of Hurriyah and throughout Baghdad, the security, civic and essential service improvements in Hurriyah, Army Capt. Nathan Williams, commander of the U.S. battalions Company A, said. There is a lot of misconceptions out there that security is bad and the area hasnt been prospering recently. Many Iraqis who moved away from the neighborhood from 2003 through 2006, when al-Qaida in Iraq and Iranian-backed enemy fighters created an unstable security environment have not had the chance to see that the neighborhood has undergone a continuing makeover, Williams said. Were trying to spread the word that things have improved so people can come back to Hurriyah, he said. This is a great opportunity to get the word out to the public. Because the word came from the neighborhoods leaders and the local media, it is likely the people of Iraq will find Hurriyahs improvements more credible, he added. Just like in our country, the message doesnt always get out. It has some sort of shaded lens on it if it comes from us, said Army Lt Col. John Vermeesch, commander of the Vanguard Battalion. If it comes from their own people, then its more believable and genuine. Vermeesch said Hurriyah has turned around because the partnership between the Iraqi and U.S. soldiers means more than manning checkpoints. The 1st Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army, is an incredibly effective and efficient unit, and they have done great things in partnership with Company A, he said. They conduct continuous combined area reconnaissance [and] combined raids against known targets, and they patrol the streets together every day. Williams added that the residents of Hurriyah also see street sweepers cleaning up trash, and much of the sewage from the past has been removed. The Vanguard Battalion works with the local public works department to improve essential services. Essential services are good, but they need to get better -- specifically sewage [in one of the areas], Vermeesch said. That is something we are working to try and improve. Thanks to the Iraqi media bringing out the views of local residents, Vermeesch said, the people of Baghdad will have a better idea of the situation in Hurriyah. Todays event met our intent, he said, and I believe that the right message got out to the people of Iraq that Hurriyah is a safe and stable city. I think the right message got out to Baghdad. (Army Sgt. Dustin Roberts serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 1st Infantry Divisions 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.) |
Related Sites: Multinational Corps Iraq |
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