Al Zyrka School opens in neighborhood formerly plagued by al-Qaida

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Jason Stadel | Flower beds were planted in beds around the school after the remodel was completed in Al Thuar, Nov. 4.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.05.2007

Story by Sgt. Jason Stadel 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Jason Stadel
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – The Al Zyrka school in Al Thuar opened its doors on Nov. 1, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Soldiers.

A lengthy remodeling project after insurgents vandalized the school was undertaken by the civil affairs team from 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

"The school was in really bad shape," said Sgt. 1st Class Bill Connell, from Turnersville, N.J., civil affairs team,1-40th Cav. Regt. "It had been damaged by insurgents and was unusable."

The Al Zyrka school had no usable restroom facilities, no running water, paint was peeling off the walls and most of the glass was broken out of the windows.

In addition to the damage, improvised explosive devices were commonplace along the road leading to the school and al-Qaida held an iron fist over the residents.

"Teachers were afraid to come here and teach," said Capt. Karl Bruening, from Ketchikan, Alaska, executive officer, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, currently attached to 1-40th Cav. Regt. "They were afraid to go down the road because of all the IEDs."

Soldiers from Battery B said change came when the local citizens began trusting the Soldiers, loosening al-Qaida's grip in the area.

"We've been winning the hearts and minds of the people," said Sgt. Kry Phou, from Cincinnati, Battery B, 2-377th PFAR. "We were able to catch a lot of the bad guys from intel we got from the locals."

Bruening said the Soldiers' pursuit of insurgents was a large factor in opening the school.

"We did a lot of raids, detained a lot of people and over time it got better here," Bruening said.

A local contractor was hired to do the work; he in turn hired local residents in the Al Thuar area to help him.

While security improved, al-Qaida tried to deter the work with threats.

"The contractor had been threatened so many times," said Bashir Altaie, bilingual, bicultural advisor for 1-40th Cav. Regt. "(The contractor) would get calls sometimes from insurgents saying they were going to blow up the school."

In response, Battery. B stepped up security and provided 24-hour surveillance of the nearby road and school. The contractor was able to finish the school and teachers were able to go to work safely.

For the grand opening, local leaders including the qada council chairman, an Iraqi army battalion commander and a Ministry of Education representative were there for the ribbon cutting. Soldiers handed out school supplies and backpacks.

The qada chairman, Muayid Fadil Husayn Habib,expressed his gratitude through a translator.

"We thank them (the Soldiers) for the work they did," Habib said.

"It's a high standard of work. It improved the community and we created jobs by hiring local people," Altaie said. "This school was built in 1987 and the principal said he never saw the school look this good in his life."

For the Soldiers of Battery B, their perseverance over the last year has paid off.

"I really feel like we've won them (the local people) back," Phou said.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2007
• Date Posted: 11.05.2007 11:56
• Story ID: 13638
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ