Cooperation pays off in Abidone

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^ | Spc. L.B. Edgar

[SandRat]

New Bern, N.C., native Sgt. Shawn Mackey, a health care specialist with Company C, 299th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, assesses the health of a 6-year-old Iraqi baby during a medical assistance mission in the village of Abidone inside the Bay Al Sabir High School of the Abu Ghraib district of Baghdad. The event was to thank the community for its continued support of coalition and Iraqi security forces by offering health and dental care to the village's residents.

CAMP LIBERTY -- Raad Rashed Abed Al Shibli, the sheik of Al Shibli of the Al Amri tribe, supports coalition forces and the Iraqi government, even though he has lost 17 first cousins and two brothers at the hands of insurgents.

“We’re cooperating and informing (theCoalition forces and Iraqi Army) about bad people here,” Shibli said through an interpreter during a medical assistance mission in the village of Abidone inside the Bay Al Sabir High School of Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib district, Feb. 17.

The mission to provide health care to the residents of Abidone was meant to reward people like Shibli for their sacrifices and trust in Iraqi security forces and the coalition.

With travel hampered by poor transportation security, many of the Abidone residents are unable to receive health care outside of the village. By bringing the clinic to the people, those in need were at the very least screened, Shibli said.

The check-ups were a thanks to the people from the coalition for past support, said Capt. Ryan Liebhaber, commander, Troop A, 1st Squadron,, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).

“The local leadership is completely willing to work with the Coalition. We’re trying to pay them back for the help they’ve given us as well as build rapport with the local nationals,” said the native of Centerville, Ohio.

Building a rapport with local nationals was not restricted to Soldiers. The rapport between the Iraqi army and the Abidone community was also strengthened by the event, Shibli said.

“The other good thing is you guys (coalition forces) brought (the) Iraqi military with you. This will increase their reputation and (foster) a better relationship (between the Iraqi army, tribes and sheiks),” Shibli explained. “We’re expecting the government to saddle up, put their differences aside and let the IA and everyone do their job right.”

Shibli, other local sheiks and Abidone leaders met with the platoon leader of the Iraqi army unit responsible for the mission’s security, 2nd Lt. Muhammad Khalid Mohsin, with the quick reaction force of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi army Division.

Mohsin discussed the needs of the community and how the IA could help the people of Abidone. Cell phone numbers were exchanged in case of future emergencies, he said

Building Iraqi confidence in their army was part of the mission, said Capt. Warrick Craig, contract and project manager for 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BCT, 1st Inf. Div.

“What we’re trying to do is get them (IA) more interested in this community and in turn that will develop the local populace’s confidence in the IA,” said the native of Sparkman, Ark. “We just want to put an Iraqi face on it to show them that regardless of where we live at, we can all work together and that’s the future of Iraq.”

Seven health care providers and one dentist, screened and treated patients for health issues and remedied the conditions whenever possible. The medical staff was pulled from across the Multi-National Division-Baghdad and provided medical assistance to more than 100 Iraqis, said Maj. Michael Philbin, 1-7th FA’s executive officer.

“I think it was a great success because we were able to integrate the Iraqi army, who handed out toys for the kids, food and candy, and other humanitarian-assistance items,” said the native of Fairport, N.Y. “It gives the people a chance to see they’re providing security and providing for them and that’s what really matters because some day we won’t be here doing this anymore. It will just be them.”

As expected, the people of Abidone reciprocated by providing intelligence to Soldiers and IA, just as Shibli has done for so long.

“Before we even started we had our first tip,” Philbin said. “Before the first patient was ever seen, one of the local nationals came up and gave us a tip about some (Anti-Iraqi forces).”

The tips just keep on coming from the Abidone village.

[SandRat]

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