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| Iraq |
| Security gains in Iraq give boost to new projects |
| 2008-05-15 |
| JISR DIYALA, Iraq — The Shiite sheik told the Shiite general that a new Shiite extremist just slipped into town. A U.S. Army commander, listening to the conversation from a distance, arched an eyebrow and nodded in approval. "That’s pretty significant," observed Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, whose unit of soldiers with the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment spent the past year working toward such a breakthrough. Just a few months ago, this sort of revelation would be hard to coax from one of Jisr Diyala’s tribal leaders. Particularly in mixed company. But during weekly roundtable Jisr Diyala Security Council meetings with the Iraqi National Police and Army leaders, Shiite and Sunni sheiks have begun to put tribal considerations aside for the sake of security. In an effort to capitalize on the recent security gains and ethnic reconciliation — achieved in part by the security council meetings, which commenced in January and other similar efforts in the Mada’in Qada — U.S. forces here are poised to launch a major public works initiative. Dubbed "Marne Dauntless," it aims to fire a jolt of energy into the local economy in the coming weeks. And at the center of the effort is the Baumholder, Germany-based Task Force 1-35 Armor, which is now in control of the greater Jisr Diyala area, southeast of Baghdad. "Our sector is truly an area where Shia and Sunni have to co-exist," said Lt. Col. Rich Morales, the 1-35 commander whose unit recently replaced the redeploying 3-1 soldiers out of Fort Benning, Ga. Some 18 projects will be introduced to the Jisr Diyala Nahia — the primary focus of Marne Dauntless — during the next couple months. Irrigation projects, expansion of electricity services, a health clinic, veterinary clinic, and school and village markets are among the efforts planned. About $4.5 million in coalition funds and another $2 million in Iraqi funding will be poured into Morales’ area of operation. The operation, designed to rebuild the dilapidated infrastructure and create jobs, is viewed as a way to establish long-term security in the region. "It’s a microcosm of what we’re trying to do in Iraq," Morales said. What distinguishes Marne Dauntless from other past public works efforts is that local Iraqis down to the village level have had a say in what’s to be built. Local civic groups have been instrumental in shaping the initiative, Morales said. "The projects are really developed from the bottom up," he said. The projects target Jisr Diyala, a poor city with a population of 120,000 and surrounding villages with a collective population of roughly another 120,000. But everything hinges on continued security. Tips from local "Sons of Iraq" leaders and the Iraqi National Police force have been crucial to the improved conditions, Morales said. Intelligence gathered by local leaders routinely leads soldiers to caches of weapons and roadside bombs, he said. "The Iraqi security forces are the ones out there pushing this," said Morales, who noted that four caches have been turned over in the past week. Because of such cooperation, violence has plummeted about 80 percent since an Army presence arrived in the Jisr Diyala region last year as part of the "surge." Though there was a flare-up in violent activity in March, connected with the fighting in Basra and Sadr City, commanders say it was quickly put down. At the recent security council meeting, the head of the local National Police brigade reminded the local village leaders that they must continue to be vigilant against extremists. Even if it means turning in a friend or family member, he said. When a Shiite sheik expressed concerns about the latest talk on the street, involving an out of town Shiite extremist who just moved into town, the police commander gave words of encouragement. "Just give me five minutes’ notice (on his location) and we’ll be there," National Police Brig. Gen. Emad Ali Abud Faris told the tribal leader. |
| Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC |