ISV's back in the game in Saydiyah

Photo By Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Smith | An Iraqi security volunteer vehicle patrols the streets of southern Baghdad's Saydiyah neighborhood, Dec. 12. Vehicles such as this one are going to become a more common sight since the ISV's have been reinstated at checkpoints in Saydiyah.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.24.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Smith 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

By Spc. Nathaniel Smith
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Iraqi security forces began manning checkpoints in Saydiyah, a neighborhood in southwest Baghdad in the province of Rashid, in an effort to bring security and stability to a troubled area of Baghdad, Dec. 12.

"The residents of Saydiyah have said security was best when the ISV (Iraqi security volunteer) checkpoints were manned. Evidence of this was the robust market activity during that period. We hope to return to that type of activity soon, but it's going to take some time for this effort to bear some fruit," said Lt. Col. Johnnie Johnson, commander of 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. "As of today, Iraqi security forces, coalition forces, and local leaders in Saydiyah have all joined together to ensure that the reinstatement of the ISV is fair and equitable and that the ISV who man the checkpoints are actually residents of Saydiyah. Everyone involved has expressed sincere hope that the plan improves security to previous levels in order to allow other essential services and government functions to take hold in Saydiyah."

Johnson, a native of Tampa, Fla., said the ISV's are an essential part of the solution in the region in the near term.

"Eventually, we want these ISV's to be included in the permanent security apparatus of Saydiyah so we see this as a very good step," Johnson said. "This is definitely the way ahead and a positive step for the future of Saydiyah."

The ISVs serve two purposes in the area. They provide extra security in a hotly contested area of the Iraqi capital. The second is to provide employment where there would be none.

"By having these individuals earning a paycheck, there's less chance of them joining ranks with extremist actors with aims to destabilize Iraq." Johnson said. "That's one of the important factors of having the ISV's: Not only for the security piece, but to provide jobs to working age males who might otherwise not have jobs to go to."

The volunteers, who are paid by coalition forces, are comparable to a neighborhood watch in the United States except they are allowed to bear arms. Additionally, they only protect an area they are from, which not only means they know the area they're guarding, but they also have more reason to succeed in the performance of their duties.

"When you have people from a town or city that are responsible for protecting the people that live there, they have a vested interest in providing the best security possible," Johnson said. "In Saydiyah, it is very important that we are able to put these ISV's on checkpoints to stem the recent increase in violence and the criminal activity there."

To ensure the volunteers were capable and trustworthy to guard the neighborhood, each individual went through a vetting process where they were interviewed by leaders of the Iraqi security forces, and local leaders and required to show proof that they were from Saydiyah.

Once the 200 guards, half Sunni and half Shia, met the screening criteria, they underwent a short training period with the Iraqi army and will eventually be inspected by a senior Iraqi military leader before assuming their duties at checkpoints.

Task Force 4-64 Armor has been operating in West Rashid for only a month, Johnson said they are looking to build on the successes of the Vanguard Battalion, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which was responsible for the area before the arrival of the "Tusker Battalion."

"The Vanguard Battalion made a lot of progress prior to us getting here. As a result of their efforts and the continued reconciliation process, we do see hope in the future for Baghdad and for Iraq, but there's still a lot of work to be done. The ISV's in Saydiyah are a part of that," Johnson said. "There are other areas of Baghdad that have similar problems and have also employed ISV to increase their levels of security. We are moving forward with this plan in Saydiyah and we believe it will be successful.

"I think we'll see over time peace and stability taking root. There are already clear signs of progress throughout Baghdad and other areas of Iraq. We hope to see the same progress in Saydiyah soon."

• Date Taken: 12.24.2007
• Date Posted: 12.24.2007 11:36
• Story ID: 14955
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ