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Mosul: A year later

Photo By Sgt. Dennis Gravelle | Iraqi Police recruits show off their combat skills at the Mosul Public Safety Academy...... read more read more

MOSUL, IRAQ

02.01.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (Jan. 25 2006) -- Only 3 percent of the Iraqi population turned out to vote in the elections a year ago. Signs of the times were not good for the future of a new Iraq, where citizens wanted to elect their own free government for the first time.

Fast forward to the Oct. 2005 Constitutional Referendum, where 63 percent of the population voted. How did it go from 3 percent to 63 percent in ten months?

In 2004, Iraqi citizens were being intimidated on a daily basis. Insurgents had a strong hold in the Mosul area. Insurgents drove car bombs into police stations and fought U.S. Soldiers in the streets. Mosul has experienced more swings between violence and peace than any other Iraqi city since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Today, children are playing soccer in the parks, residents are out and the city streets are busy with shoppers. A year ago, citizens were terrified to leave their homes.

Mosul is the third largest city in Iraq with approximately two million residents. It is 225 miles northwest of Baghdad and is situated on the west bank of the Tigris River. It is considerably different from other cities of Iraq in its architecture. Marble is standard building material, especially in frames of windows or doors.

The city retains its oriental character; preserving a rustic nature as seen in its cobbled streets. There is an old center to Mosul with narrow, tree-lined alleys of mud plastered houses, but most of the city is comprised of prosperous suburbs with large square houses surrounded by walled gardens. Some are extravagant mansions with dramatic balconies and pillared entrances.

Mosul is one of the success stories in Iraq. Less than a year ago insurgents were running wild and today citizens are making their voices heard. They are actively participating in electing a new government; the Iraqi Army is assuming control of the battle space and patrolling the streets.

The Iraqi Army's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, also known as "Triple Deuce", assumed a portion of the battle space during a Transfer of Authority ceremony held at an Iraqi soccer field. The "Triple Deuce" is the second unit to assume command and control and more are scheduled to follow.

"Our goal is to train the Iraqi Security forces and transfer a portion of the battle space to one to two Iraqi Army Battalions each month," said Col. Michael Shields, commander, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

In late December the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division was the first Iraqi Army unit to assume control during a transfer of authority ceremony held at Murkmer.

Additionally, Iraqi Police are becoming better trained. Each recruit attends the Mosul Public Safety Academy where they are taught the basic fundamentals of police work. The academy graduates more than 200 police officers every month.

Under Saddam Hussein's reign, Mosul's infrastructure was left devastated. Buildings were left abandoned and there was no new construction. The city was left to fall to pieces.

Coalition Forces, working in conjunction with local leaders, began to accelerate the reconstruction project. Bridges and roads are being updated. Schools and hospitals are being built and refurbished.

From December, 2004 through December, 2005, fifty-six projects were completed leading to the success and the ability for economic growth. When the reconstruction is complete, a total of 194 projects will be completed at a cost of $182 million U.S. dollars.

These construction projects help to improve the local economy. Materials are purchased locally and the workers come from the Mosul area, which helps them support their families.

The key to success is getting the terrorists off the streets so they don't have the opportunity to intimidate local citizens. With the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces working together terrorist cells have diminished during the past year.

The 172nd SBCT, in conjunction with ISF, recently took down a local terrorist cell in the Sharkya and Nabi Younis neighborhoods, capturing six suspected terrorists that threatened to kill anyone helping the Coalition.

"This is their country; they are the ones that have to learn how to do this. Helping to bring down a terrorist cell is a great opportunity for them to get confidence." said Capt. William Harris, 2nd Bn, 1st Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT, after he and his unit conducted raids in those neighborhoods.

The Governor of Mosul Mohammed Da"ud Abdodi Kashmoula is playing an important role helping to re-shape the city. Each time terrorists target Iraqi citizens he utilizes the local television network, criticizing the bombing and terrorism. Recently he held a luncheon and an awards ceremony where he honored members of the Iraqi Security Forces.

"I just want to tell you that you are doing a great job in helping re-shape Mosul and getting our citizens to trust you, I am very proud of you," he said to ISF members.

As the local security situation improves and ISF assumes more and more control, Coalition Forces will remain as a supporting element and quick reaction force should ISF encounter a situation they can't handle.

Mosul has come a long way over the past year. The city is still not at full capacity for electricity and power. As the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Mosul will not be rebuilt in a day. It will take time. With a rich history that Mosul has, it will only take time to make it a model city.