Posted on 03/07/2009 8:37:32 AM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Soldiers made another necessary step toward total Iraqi control in securing northwest Baghdad, as Joint Security Station Shulla was transferred to Iraqi control, March 2.
Iraqi and Western media were invited to the transfer ceremony and had a chance to walk the streets to see first-hand the security and infrastructure improvements in Shulla.
During the visit, reporters from outlets such as al-Hurra Television, Agency French Press, Reuters, the Associated Press and the British Broadcasting Company, witnessed the transition of Joint Security Station Shulla and had lunch at a newly rebuilt chicken restaurant that was destroyed by a vehicle-born explosive device in December 2008.
“The event was a testimony to the astonishing progress we see on a daily basis in northwest Baghdad,” said Lt. Col. John Vermeesch, commander, 1st Combined Arms Battalion. “The security situation in Shulla has not been this good in a long time. Because of that, the citizens of Shulla are experiencing a better standard of living and infrastructure improvement that they have not seen in years.”
During the walk, the visitors saw kids waving Iraqi flags, busy sidewalks and flourishing shops.
“They were excited to see how secure the area is; it was very natural and normal,” said Mona Joesif, an Arabic media coordinator for the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. “Women and children were walking around and everything seemed to be okay.”
Joesif also said why it was important for the residents of Shulla to be informed of news in their neighborhood.
“For me, as an Iraqi person, it’s important to know what’s going on with the security agreement between Coalition forces and the Iraqi Government,” she said. “When it’s time for the Americans to leave, it’s important to know if the Iraqi Security Forces will be standing on their feet.”
Vermeesch said the transfer of JSS Shulla confirmed that the ISF are not only standing on their feet, but gaining confidence daily while taking the required steps toward permanent success.
“As part as our endeavor to support the ISF and in accordance with the security agreement between our two countries, we continue to turn the security of Iraq back over to the Iraqis,” said Vermeesch. “The transition of JSS Shulla from American control to Iraqi control is just one more step in this process.”
This should be front-page news in the US.
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