Sadr City shines

Photo By Lt. Col. Michael Humphreys | An Iraqi man gets a fresh shave on a cold night in the Thawra 1 neighborhood of the Sadr City District of Baghdad on Dec. 18. Barber shops are often social gathering places for many Iraqis.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.20.2008

Story by Lt. Col. Michael Humphreys 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Maj. Mike Humphreys
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Along a road lit in white florescent, a man sells hot, fresh rotisserie chicken under a string of lights. Near by, two men stand in warm coats and knitted caps casually sipping a hot drink at a store front where another man in a blue "USA" sweatshirt moves quickly back and forth behind a glass counter tossing fresh ingredients in warm pitas for a growing line of chilly patrons.

It's just a typical evening on Dec. 18 along this street market near the Jamilla and Al Quds Road in the south Sadr City District of Baghdad.

"It's really bustling isn't it," said Lt. Col. Michael Pemrick, a native of Greenwich, N.Y., and deputy commanding officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

Pemrick is excited when he walks this street now because only seven months ago his Soldiers along with their Iraqi partners in the Iraqi army, fought a pitched battle on this street, and others like it to take control of this once volatile district.

"Before, when you heard the word Sadr City, you pictured an urban war zone," Pemrick said. "Now, the people are relaxed, they are comfortable around Americans, and the IA have a good relationship with the people."

Now, store fronts once littered with broken glass, and doorways that once covered U.S. and Iraqi soldiers from sniper fire and rocket propelled grenades are home to barber shops, clothing stores and restaurants.

"Looking back on it, it just doesn't seem like the same street," said Staff Sgt. Jason Condreay, of Greeley, Colo., a military policeman for 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. and patrol leader for Pemrick's command security detachment.

Condreay believes the change in Sadr City is largely in part to the rise in confidence and professionalism displayed by the Iraqi army who patrol the streets there.

"The IA have become very productive. They have a real sense of pride in what they're doing," Condreay said.

Pemrick spoke with Iraqi soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi army division before touring the street and talking to citizens.

"We're glad you're here," he tells an Iraqi company commander. "You're doing a great job."

The Iraqi army have controlled Sadr City north of the wall along the Jamilla and Al Quds Road since May, and they partner with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers south of the wall where many of Sadr City's markets operate and thrive thanks to the reconstruction efforts of 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Condreay said he thinks the efforts of the IA have effectively defeated the criminal elements that once terrorized Sadr City and have now set the conditions for a much better future for all of Sadr City's residents.

"The cooperation between the U.S. and the IA has turned this place around," Condreay said.

• Date Taken: 12.20.2008
• Date Posted: 12.20.2008 19:23
• Story ID: 27951
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ