Courtesy Photo | Sunni Arab tribal leader, Sheik Abdullah Sami Al Assi, and Col. David Paschal, 1st...... read more read more
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By Major Sean Wilson
1-10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Officer
KIRKUK, Iraq - Kirkuk province took another step forward in bringing security to its south-central territories.
Over forty tribal leaders from the Sunni-Arab Obeidi tribe gathered at the Kirkuk government building in Kirkuk to discuss security issues in their tribal areas, Feb. 19. The purpose of the gathering was to generate support within the largest tribe in the Kirkuk province and to discuss security developments in the Rashaad Valley, which extends through the south-central portion of the province.
The Obeidi tribal leaders lead by Sheik Abdullah Sami Al Assi discussed the establishment of Sons of Iraq organizations to provide security for their local neighborhoods. One of the main topics discussed among the Arab tribal leaders was the recent successes the Sons of Iraq have achieved in the Hawijah District since standing up in early December, 2007. The city of Hawijah was one of Kirkuk province's most violent cities and has enjoyed a nearly 80 percent reduction in violent activities since early December, 2007, with an overall reduction of 65 percent throughout the province. "Our Arab brothers to our west have achieved tremendous success in keeping their areas safe from extremists through their support of the local security forces," said Sheik Sami.
The word Isnad is Arabic for support and in Kirkuk province that means support to coalition and Iraqi security forces. Col. David Paschal, commander of 1st Brigade 10th Mountain Division, further highlighted the successes of the Sons of Iraq and offered that similar success can be achieved in their areas as well. "I don't see Arabs and Kurds, I only see Iraqis. It is incumbent on all Iraqis to stand up and protect your areas and bring security to you country," said Paschal.
Sheik Sami signaled the Obeidi leaders should also be unified and protect their own areas from terrorism. He also commented on the recent good news of the breaking of the Arab Boycott and the Provincial government's ethnic balancing agreements and allocation of the deputy governor to the Arab Bloc. The newly confirmed deputy governor, Rokan Siad Al Jubouri, was the result of the breaking of the thirteen-month impasse and was acknowledged by Sheik Sami as a positive step in bringing balance to the ethnic representation of the provincial government.
The subject of reconciliation was also approached by the tribal leaders. "I would ask all of you to use your influence to bring those that have fought for economic reasons to come forward and reconcile," said Paschal. He emphasized that those involved with conducting attacks on innocent civilians would not be eligible for reconciliation. The reconciliation process is currently moving forward in the Hawijah district with over 80 insurgents coming forward to start the process of rejoining Iraqi society.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2008 18:24 |
| Story ID: | 16533 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 166 |
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