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Khalis protest a sign of democracy in Diyala

Photo By Sgt. Serena Hayden | After blocking key routes into the city of Khalis, Iraq, protesters unblock the road...... read more read more

IRAQ

08.22.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

Multi-National Division – North PAO

KHALIS, Iraq – Local Iraqi and coalition leaders heard and addressed grievances from approximately 500 concerned citizens, who had been demonstrating in and around a major roadway outside Khalis Tuesday.

The civic demonstration started outside the mayor's residence on Aug. 19, as an effort to draw attention to their complaints about inadequate basic services such as food, water, electricity, fuel and additional support from the Iraqi army and police. Another point of concern stemmed from an Aug. 18 mortar attack on their community that left three dead and 22 injured.

"This protest demonstrates the citizens of Diyala believe in democracy and have faith that their local leaders will hear them and take action," said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. "This is a purposeful step toward achieving true democracy."

After protesting outside the mayor's office, the protesters moved into the streets, blocking the main routes into the city and setting up two large tents in the center of the road.

Iraqi army and police immediately responded to the demonstration, setting up roadblocks to the north and south of the demonstration to protect the protesters and divert traffic.

Representatives of Diyala's security forces and the province's central government met with the leaders of the protest on Aug. 20 to address their concerns and gain an understanding of their demands.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division and their assigned Military Transition Team met with the demonstrators the morning of Aug. 21; it was understood the protesters would not leave until they felt their concerns were addressed.

The afternoon of Aug. 21, a coalition forces' convoy moved through the area and received small-arms fire from unknown gunmen hiding within a group of protesters along a main road into Khalis, early Tuesday.

Because there was a crowd, the patrol fired non-lethal warning shots to disperse the crowd and deployed smoke to obscure themselves from the gunmen as they moved along the congested roadway.

The Diyala Provincial Joint Coordination Center reported individuals were injured from the smoke and one person had a gunshot wound, however, the report has not been substantiated and is under investigation.

Iraqi army soldiers converged on the area to ensure the route was passable and that protesters would not endanger themselves or traffic.

Following the small-arms fire incident, Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi security forces in Diyala; Staff Maj. Gen. Salihm Kareem Saleh Ali, the 5th Iraqi Army Division commander; Col. Steve Townsend, commander, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division; Sutherland, and the Khalis mayor and local security officials met with the leaders of the demonstration to further address their issues.

The group addressed their main concerns of irrigation, water, medical supplies, security and specific checkpoints, coordinating with the present leadership to begin resolving issues within the next few days. During the meeting, protest leaders agreed to allow the Stryker vehicles to pass through the route.

"With local Iraqi leadership willing to listen to the people, hopefully, future events will not include violence or arms in any form," said Sutherland. "But the underlying point here is confidence in the democratic process and the fact these citizens believe in the system."

By the end of the discussion, the protest leaders agreed to tear down their tents and leave, allowing vehicle traffic and security convoys to access the route.