By 1st. Lt. Richard Ybarra
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBA, Iraq — Coalition forces distributed humanitarian aid in the village of Al-Hakeem Sept. 17, just north of Baquba. The very next day, with the support of the village leadership, they assisted in the establishment of a concerned local national (CLN) neighborhood watch group.
"We recently started presence patrols and established an outpost in Al-Hakeem. The people have been open and the leaders were willing to discuss starting a relationship with coalition forces" said 1st Sgt. Ron Ramsdell of "Crazy Horse" Troop, 1st Combined Arms Battalion (CAB), 12th Cavalry Regiment.
More than 30 prospective members of the Al-Hakeem CLN were screened in addition to receiving retinal and fingerprint scans to cross reference in a database for known and suspected terrorists before being allowed to join.
Coalition forces have been able to focus outside of Baquba as stability takes hold in the provincial capital. A key to Baqouba's success has been the establishment of CLN's, armed neighborhood watches that provide both Iraqi and U.S. forces with early warnings and intelligence.
CLN groups have been successful in Baqouba neighborhoods such as Kahtoon, Burhiz, Ka'nan and Baquba proper. "People are now able to go to markets and farms because CLNs have helped keep the areas secured," such as schools, hospitals and other vital resources to the communities in which they live, said Cpt. Josh Southworth of 1st CAB, 12th Cav. Regt.
The motivation for the new CLN group in Al-Hakeem is no different than their fellow Iraqis in the larger city to the south, simply the prospect of improved security through a collective effort.
"We have agreed to help for our own families' security, so they may sleep well at night. All that we want is peace," said Fasil Shihn Nassif, the muhktar of Al-Hakeem. "If we all do our part, maybe all of Iraq can know peace."
A humanitarian aid visit was also made to the nearby village of Al-Karya on Sept. 18, which has an established CLN group. The combined shipment of supplies to the two villages, consisting of flour, rice and bottled water, totaled 10 tons of aid.
The humanitarian aid shipments to both villages were done in the spirit of Ramadan and goodwill, said Ramsdell.
"Our goal is to drive a wedge between al-Qaida in Iraq and the population, while the citizens take ownership of their villages," to help them see the situation for what it is, said Capt. Clayton L. Combs, commander of C Co., 1st CAB, 12th Cav. Regt. "I have asked several of the village leaders if al-Qaida has ever helped them, the answer is always 'no.' Then I show them that we care, that we can help them, help them to help themselves."
The approach is working, as new CLN groups across Diyala province continue to be founded and the more established groups cement their ties with their local communities, Iraqi security forces and the coalition forces. The result has been an improved security situation in the province in comparison to six months ago.
"The turnout today in Al-Hakeem was good. Whenever you see villages like these take ownership, take responsibility for themselves, their families and their neighbors, it is a step in the right direction," said Combs.
| Date Taken: |
09.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
09.26.2007 12:07 |
| Story ID: |
12560 |
| Location: |
BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: |
279 |
| Downloads: |
257 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Al-Hakeem residents build ties with coalition forces, by CPT Richard Ybarra, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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