Zarwa Park holiday celebration attracts huge crowds in Baghdad

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi child shows off his collection of balloons at Zawra Park in the Karkh District of northwest Baghdad. An estimated 1.2 million people visited Zawra Park during the Eid al-Adha and the security efforts for the event were led by Iraqi security forces.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.11.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By the Multi-National Division –Baghdad

BAGHDAD – More than 1.2 million Iraqi citizens passed through the gates of Zawra Park in the Karkh District of northwest Baghdad as they gathered with friends and family to celebrate the Eid al-Adha, Dec. 8-11.

This is a time of year when many families come together; and this year, those families chose to spend time together by visiting the park or touring the Baghdad Zoo to take in many of the recently opened exhibits.

Dr. Adel Salman Mosa, the zoo's director, expressed his happiness and excitement over the size of the crowds during the past week.

"During the Eid celebration in Zawra Zoo, the new reptile exhibit was what most people were interested in seeing," said Adel. "Everyone loved the newly added crocodiles, chimpanzees, snakes and tortoise exhibits."

According to several reports broadcast on local media outlets, the crowds in Zawra park were some of the largest ever seen for the Eid celebration.

"The task to ensure that the Iraqi experience in the park and zoo was a safe one required the combined planning and execution efforts of numerous agencies," said Capt. Michael Roscoe, Iraqi security forces coordinator, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division –Baghdad. "Col. Geaber Nema Shnawa, the Zawra Park security director, was just one of several leading figures in this critical effort."

Roscoe said the leaders of the 54th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, several local Iraqi police stations and the Zawra Park's 160 facilities protection service officers, all contributed to this highly successful venture.

As the crowds grew with each passing day, each of the security agencies ensured their people were ready to support the task at hand and adjusted focus as necessary.

In addition to the work on the part of the ISF, coalition forces provided security enablers to support the daily effort of securing the local populace.

"It was checking and searching people one by one that created such a safe environment during the Eid celebration," said Geaber. "Also, my guards were able to pass out gifts and candy to children, who came to the event, and if they needed a ride home, we were able to provide them with taxi fare."

Military working dog teams and patrols from 4th Bn., 42nd FA Regt., swept the main entry points to the park in the early dawn hours of each morning to ensure the areas were free of explosives.

"We were happy to be clearing Zawra Park and doing our job," said Staff Sgt. Matthew McCummins, a military dog handler. "We were happy to be able to provide for a safe and successful celebration in the park."

The unit also had a quick reaction force on call daily to support the ISF in the event of an attack. Several MND-B Military Transition Teams and Police Transition Teams worked in close coordination with their Iraqi counterparts to ensure they had the latest intelligence or other force multipliers they might need to successfully complete the mission.

"The five-day Eid celebration in the park marks the third in a series of highly successful events hosted in Zawra Park in the past four months," said Maj. Ryan Remley, executive officer, 4th Bn. 42nd FA Regt.

Almost two million Iraqis visited the Park as part of the post-Ramadan celebration in late September, while in mid-November, local citizens gathered in the park to celebrate "Baghdad Days" and enjoyed a free concert.

"Each of these gatherings has not had a single reportable incident and demonstrates the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces to secure these large-scale events," said Remley. "These highly successful events are just one more sign that normalcy is returning to the capital city."

• Date Taken: 12.11.2008
• Date Posted: 12.14.2008 11:27
• Story ID: 27675
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ