Posted on 09/18/2006 4:46:27 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD — As a unit of Iraqi Soldiers this week reaffirmed their loyalty and commitment to the future of their country, Iraqi security forces in the capital began to see the results of their commitment to bringing increased security and social and economic improvements to the area.
Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, re-affirmed their allegiance to Iraq in a ceremony this week at Forward Operating Base Constitution. Attended by the entire brigade of Soldiers and their leadership, the event was the first of its kind for the brigade since its inception a year ago, said Capt. Robert Lundberg of the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion.
“The future of Iraq is in your hands. We are the lion that will attack the killers and kidnappers, bring them to justice and take control of our country,” said one of the speakers to the troops.
The day was designed to inspire Iraqi Soldiers to believe in the future of Iraq, said Lt. Sadick, a platoon leader with the 6th IAD.
“All of us are under the law, even Prime Minister Maliki is under the law of Iraq,” Sadick said. “It is important for all Soldiers to put their full loyalty in the Iraqi Army and not tribes or religions.
“We have trust and faith in our Soldiers’ loyalty to the Army,” he continued. “That is why we are successful in the area with raids, arrests and finding weapons. It is because we have faith in our Soldiers.”
“It (was) a very good ceremony,” added Sgt. Mohaned, another Soldier with the 6th IAD. “It lets the Soldiers know they must serve the Army they joined with full loyalty and let go of their (previous affiliations).”
As the troops of the 6th IAD reaffirmed their commitment, Iraqi security forces elsewhere have begun to see the rewards of their efforts in Baghdad’s Ameriyah neighborhood.
Since the beginning of Operation Together Forward, Ameriyah has seen notable social and economic improvements as the Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad forces work to rid the area of terrorist violence.
Combined military operations in the area includes a variety of civil service projects, such as a large-scale trash cleanup, provision of medical services, and establishing a generally close working relationship with local residents. Together these activities serve to deter further terrorist actions.
“Many of the shops that were once closed have reopened,” said Staff Sgt. John Davis, of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. “Main roads in the neighborhood are starting to look and feel like a neighborhood again, and economic activity and employment have increased since the beginning of the operation.”
“The whole idea of Operation Together Forward is to help the Iraqis restore a sense of normalcy to their lives,” added Capt. Stacy Bare.
The projects being worked are the direct result of requests from the neighborhood stake holders and the local population themselves, said Bare, also of the 2nd BCT. The local government is leading the charge back to prosperity in the area, she said.
As of Sept. 14, Iraqi and MND-B troops have cleared more than 55,500 buildings, 60 mosques and 50 muhallas, detained more than 90 terrorist suspects, seized more than 1,200 weapons, registered more than 780 weapons, and found 33 weapons caches. The combined forces have also replaced more than 1,100 doors, 35 windows and 1,350 locks damaged during clearing operations and have removed more than 110,000 cubic meters of trash from the streets of Baghdad.
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