Iraqi media tours Ad Dujayl vehicle borne improvised explosive device site

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Mohammad Abbas, a Reuters correspondent, speaks with Lt. Col. John Dunleavy, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment commander, on the progress being made by local citizens and coalition forces to help restore businesses in Ad Dujayl that were affected by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack last month. Dunleavy's unit provided security for Iraqi media members who were allowed to visit the area for the first time since the attack.  

AD DUJAYL, IRAQ

10.22.2008

Story by Spc. Michael Behlin 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Michael Behlin
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

AD DUJAYL, Iraq – Members of the Iraqi media toured the site of a recent vehicleborne improvised explosive device attack that took place in downtown Ad Dujayl on Sept. 12, 2008.

The tour was a part of the Iraqi media day held, providing the Iraqi media opportunities to interview Ad Dujayl key leaders, merchants, and local citizens and about the economic growth, effects of the VBIED, and to publish the opportunities and progress of the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone. With this, the Iraqi media will have the opportunity to better communicate the information to an Iraqi audience.

Hosting the media during the tour were members of the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, who provided security and overwatch of the Ad Dujayl area and VBIED blast site.

"My guys, do they shoot artillery? Yes. Do they walk the streets here and patrol just like light infantrymen? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, the most important thing that makes a difference here is treating the population with dignity and respect," said Lt. Col. John Dunleavy, commander of the 2-320th.

"The largest weapon we have in this country is not a gun truck or a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, but when a Soldier gets out of his Humvee and walks the streets and talks to the local population."

Attending the media day were media outlets that included Salah ad Din TV, Al Iraqiya-TV, Reuters and Biladi TV. While on the tour, these outlets were able to speak with local citizens and leaders about the VBIED attack and the progress IBIZ has made to the local area.

"Being able to visit this area will give us the opportunity to reveal the good and bad about the people, our government, and if our government is doing the right thing for the people," said Al Iraqiya-TV reporter Hasan Abd Rahman Nima, through an interpreter.

"We want to reveal the big picture of what's going on in the area to the people so that they get the full idea of things."

During the event, Muhammed Hassan Mahmood, mayor of Ad Dujayl, spoke to media members about the progress his town has made since the attack and the steps the town has taken to continue the progress.

"Many people lost jobs in the attack and we're just wanting to help them make repairs to the area and get their businesses up and running again," said Mahmood. "The I-BIZ project with the coalition forces has helped the area in getting more progress and a better life."

• Date Taken: 10.22.2008
• Date Posted: 10.22.2008 03:54
• Story ID: 25362
• Location: AD DUJAYL, IQ