Photo By Spc. Amanda McBride | Leadership from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, sit with sheik...... read more read more
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By Spc. Amanda McBride
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Local sheiks from the al Janabi tribe met with Vanguard leadership during a Janabi tribal meeting Feb. 8 at the Sheik Kamil Compound, near Diyiah, Iraq.
The meeting was attended by more than 50 Janabi sheiks from the Lutifiya, Jabela and Iskandariyah areas.
Throughout the meeting, different concerns were discussed between the sheiks and brigade and battalion commanders in the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
A main concern for the sheiks was getting coalition forces' support for agricultural development. Many different families are having problems getting much-needed fertilizer for the upcoming season, said Sheik Kamil al Janabi, a senior sheik.
"The main support we could get from the American Army today is the fertilizer," Kamil al Janabi said.
Another concern brought up by many of the sheiks was the lack of Janabi representation within many of the area's councils.
"We would like to have representatives in the Iskandariyah City Council," Kamil al Janabi said. "But currently there are no Janabi representatives within the councils."
During the meeting, sheiks voiced their desire for representation in the Iraqi security forces, in particular the Iraqi police. Though many residents wish to join the IP, it is hard for members of the Janabi tribe due to having to get approval from the Iraqi government.
"(Local sheiks) have a large list of those who want to join the Iraqi army and Iraqi police, primarily the IP because it is localized," said Col. Thomas James, commander of 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. "Right now it's tough to get them into the programs because it has to gain approval through the government of Iraq to allow them to do so."
Kamil al Janabi said by holding this meeting, he hopes to gain support from coalition forces and the government of Iraqi.
"We want more representation so we can protect our land formally and legally," Kamil al Janabi said.
| Date Taken: | 02.12.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2008 13:23 |
| Story ID: | 16280 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 66 |
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