It's 'Checkers' In Hawijah, Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson | Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Device victim Ahkmed Amid, 14, shows the scars left from the injuries he suffered during a VBIED attack in October 2007, during a recent visit to a market place in downtown Hawijah, Iraq. Amid's hand was damaged, and half his right calf removed, in that same attack. "To see a Soldier playing a game with an Iraqi here is excellent," he said, referring to the game of checkers being played by 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regt. Commander Lt. Christopher Vanek and Khalaf Ibrahim Ali, a Hawijah Sons of Iraq contractor. "It is so much better here and I am not so scared any more--I like American Soldiers," he said.  

IRAQ

07.06.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

By Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office

Hawijah, Iraq – Two middle-aged men enjoying a 'friendly' afternoon game of checkers in a bustling marketplace as shoppers and traffic pass-by. A scene that would not warrant a double–take in any small town in America's heartland, however, this game; united a U.S. battalion commander and a Sons of Iraq leader in a demonstration of 'normalcy' in an area once nicknamed 'the Anbar of the North'.

"This is an incredible period in the development of a democratic, representative form of government in the district of Hawijah, and specifically, this once violence plagued city," Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, commander, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regt. said, reflecting on a before-after comparison to the Hawijah the battalion faced upon their arrival in October. "A game of checkers, a crowd of shoppers, traffic, no body-armor, partnered with Khalaf Ibrahim Ali, not against him, this—is, success in Iraq," he said.

Both Vanek and Ali credit the change to an increased confidence in the Iraq security forces, coalition tactics--targeting only suspected terrorists, and the empowerment of local citizens to re-claim their streets through the Sons of Iraq, according to Vanek. These efforts have nearly eliminated Al-Qaida in Iraq's presence here he said.

"They disguise themselves, like thieves in the night now," Ali said, comparing AQI's unchallenged presence in the past. "Now, during the day, they disguise themselves by changing their eye color, cut their hair—change their appearance," Ali said. He also said that the insurgents are getting the message that the citizens of Hawijah will not assist their efforts. "They are not wanted here. They have brought us nothing but violence, destruction, fear and lies."

Close to 8,000 SoI's are positioned throughout the Hawijah District, measuring roughly, 4,200 square miles, since the inception of the reconciliation program here in December.

"We were able to offer a choice to fathers who were trying to feed their families and men who where trying to begin families--eliminating a huge recruiting pool for the insurgents here," Vanek said.

Sons of Iraq also provided an avenue for the coalition force and Iraqis to interface.

"Before Sons of Iraq, the coalition force would be too busy fighting the enemy to get to know the people around them," Ali said. Both--were able to interact and form relationships such as the bond that Vanek and Ali have developed, during their efforts to establish the city of Hawijah's SoIs.

"We are not so different," Ali said. "We all want peace and a place where our children and grandchildren can live and prosper without fear and violence."

As to who won the checker game, Vanek smiled and said, "considering Ali and I are here together; me--without body-armor, in an area where commerce has returned, and the citizens can reap the benefits without fear or reprisals, in an area once thought lost to the insurgency—we're both winners, more importantly—the citizens of the district are the true winners."

The idea for the game of checkers' came about when the key leaders of Task Force Summit and the Hawijah district began to realize the "dynamic" security gains in January, according to Vanek. He thought that a true demonstration of increased security would be to, "conduct a game of checkers in the middle of the day in the most crowded area of the city, with no body armor in June." He said that the intent of both had several purposes. "It's a statement to the enemy, the peace loving people of Hawijah, and to the provincial government--that enduring security gains have been established, representative government is working well, ISF is responsible for security, the economy is booming and it is time for the provincial government to step forward and serve all districts."

• Date Taken: 07.06.2008
• Date Posted: 07.06.2008 10:54
• Story ID: 21228
• Location: IQ