Free Republic

 REBUILDING IRAQ Project Creates Water Wells Hibhib Water Treatment Plant Opens New Fire Department Opens in Husseniya Balad Air Base Paves Way to the Future Renovated Yusufiyah Playground Reopens Civil Affairs Soldiers Help Baghdad Citizens Police Reopen Northeast Station in Mosul Work Continues to Restore Iraqi Marshlands Soldiers Stockpile Medical Logistics Skills  IRAQIS TAKE THE LEAD Iraqis Take Lead in Northern Baghdad Region Iraqi Training Proceeds in Anbar Province Iraqi Soldiers Deliver Donated School Supplies Iraqis Assume Lutufiyah Area Responsibility Iraqis Takes Over Territory at Camp Habbinyah Troops’ Mortar Know-How to Improve Security May 2006  REBUILDING IRAQ Aerial Spraying...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2006 – Iraqi- and coalition-conducted anti-insurgent operations in Baghdad in recent weeks are achieving results, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters in the Iraqi capital today. “We’re seeing progress toward reducing the number of kidnappings, murders and sectarian violence in areas in which we’re operating,” Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, said at a news briefing. Insurgent attacks within Baghdad province averaged about 23 per day during the past week, Caldwell said. He noted that Baghdad’s average daily murder rate dropped 46 percent from July to August. “And, if you look...

BAGHDAD -- As the country of Iraq moves from a heavy reliance on military security towards self-reliance and an everyday presence of civil security, the National Police will provide a paramilitary presence skilled in bridging the gap between the military and police services. A new plan by Iraq’s Ministry of Interior is designed to facilitate the transition. The use of paramilitary forces is common to many countries. Known in France as Gendarmerie and in Italy as Caribinieri, these forces have been widely used in peacekeeping operations throughout the world. These types of forces were used in Haiti during the rebellion...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2006 – As NATO forces prepare to take over security operations in portions of Afghanistan, Army Gen. John Abizaid said he’s pleased with the progress he sees in regard to the country’s security situation. “We’re pretty satisfied with the military situation despite the fact that there’s been a lot of fighting,” the commander of U.S. Central Command told “Fox and Friends” in a telephone interview from Bagram, Afghanistan, yesterday. “There’s nothing we can’t handle militarily out here, although we’re pretty realistic that there’s going to be continued fighting.” NATO forces recently took over security operations in the...

There continues to be good news in Iraq. Progress continues to be made, successes continue to outnumber failures, our Military continues to do this country proud, and the Iraqi people continue to increase the assumption of responsibility for themselves and their future. You wouldn't know it by reading the headlines and watching the nightly news, but if you look for it; look long and hard and deep, you will find it. Let's start with Gen. Abizaid's interview with Hugh Hewitt recently. On 22 August, they sat down for a discussion regarding Iraq. Hewitt's opening question was to ask for an...

BAGHDAD — In a speech to hundreds of tribal leaders on Saturday during the first of four planned national unity conferences, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged the attendees to come together to end the sectarian violence that has plagued the capital city. "Iraq needs all of its sons during this stage,” the prime minister said during the meeting. “There is no difference between Sunnis and Shi'ites.” According to an Associated Press report, al-Maliki urged the tribes to commit to a national reconciliation plan to end sectarian strife and terrorism. “The national reconciliation is a wide door, open to all...

Iraq's prime minister said Sunday that violence was decreasing in his country, despite daily reports of bloodshed and fighting. Nouri al-Maliki insisted that his government was making progress in efforts to combat sectarian clashes between Shiites and Sunnis, and terrorism by Sunni Arab insurgents. "The violence is not increasing. We're not in a civil war. Iraq will never be in a civil war," he said through an interpreter on CNN's Late Edition. "The violence is in decrease and our security ability is increasing." On Sunday, a series of bomb explosions left at least 15 people dead and dozens wounded. That...

U.S. Army Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, conduct an area reconnaissance mission in Baghdad, Aug. 22. Department of Defense photo by Navy Gunner's Mate 1st Class Martin Anton Edgil. BAGHDAD -- Operation Together Forward, the Iraqi-led operation to reduce violence in Baghdad, is progressing well and improving the security situation around the Iraqi capital, a Joint Staff official said Aug. 23.Over the last five weeks, the number of incidents of sectarian violence in Baghdad has decreased steadily, Army Brig. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, deputy director of regional operations for the Joint Staff, said at a Pentagon...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Aug. 24, 2006 -- Seeking a unified province free from terrorism and sectarian violence, leaders of groups in Babil came together Aug. 20 in Hillah, Iraq, to reconcile and denounce sectarian violence. Tribal sheik leaders from the Babil province sign an oath in Hillah, Iraq, Aug. 20, declaring their pledge to work hand-in-hand with all sheiks and leaders from the province, regardless of religion or affiliation. The reconciliation conference was organized by Iraqi Maj. Gen. Qais Hamza, Babil provincial police chief, in an effort to unify the province and make a commitment to stop...

WASHINGTON – Nearly all non-Mexican illegal immigrants caught sneaking into the United States are being held until they can be returned to their home countries, the Bush administration said Wednesday. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said this marks the end of the “catch-and-release” practice that for years helped many illegal immigrants stay in the United States unhindered. “There is a real deterrent effect to this policy,” Chertoff told reporters in Washington, pointing to a 20,000 drop in the number of illegal immigrants caught crossing the southwest border between this summer and the same period last year. “Although we're not ready...

Suicide bomber captured in Ar Ramadi IA, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons, munitions, detain 5 suspected terrorists MND-B service member killed by roadside bomb

By Sgt. Jeff Lowry124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment The first full Iraqi Army division will soon be operating without the mentoring of U.S. advisors, a U.S. Army official who oversees Iraqi security forces’ training said Monday in Baghdad.Brig. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard discussed the formation of the Iraqi National Police and security concerns throughout Iraq in a briefing to reporters.Pittard, commander of the Iraqi Assistance Group, said that after Sept. 3, the 8th Iraqi Army Division will be operating independently.Coalition forces will provide only guidance going forward to what will become the first Iraqi Army division to reach such...

By Multi-National Force - West Public Affairs Officer An Iraqi Police officer provides crowd control at an Iraqi Police recruiting drive held in al-Qa'im. Department of Defense photo by Marine Cpl. Antonio Rosas. CAMP AL ASAD  -- More than 500 Iraqi men were screened and accepted for service as police officers in their local communities during a three-day recruiting drive in Iraq’s western al-Anbar province recently. U.S. Marines screened thousands of applicants Aug. 11-14, in various regions along the western Euphrates River valley, including the border cities of al-Qa’im, Haditha, and Baghdadi – a small town just miles east...

The level of violence in Baghdad has fallen sharply since July thanks to troop reinforcements and the new government's efforts to reconcile warring Shi'ites and Sunnis, Iraq's national security adviser said on Tuesday. Mowaffaq al-Rubaie insisted that the sectarian and insurgent bloodshed that has seized Iraq was not a civil war, a description U.S. President George W. Bush's administration has strenuously avoided in the face of mounting casualties. "This is absolutely not a civil war," Rubaie told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Japan. "Al Qaeda tried for that for three years and failed miserably. But it has...

TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 18, 2006) – Third Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division handed over Forward Operating Base Remagen to the 4th Iraqi Army Division Wednesday. In the hand-over ceremony, FOB Remagen was renamed Saad Bin Abi Waqas, an Iraqi hero and commander-in-chief of Muslim forces who was victorious over the Persian army at the battle of Qadisiyya in 636 A.D. Maj. Gen. Abdul Jabar, commander, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, thanked the Coalition Forces and the Iraqi government for giving him and his Soldiers the facility. Deputy Governor of...

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 21, 2006) – Brig. Gen. Abdul Jaleel Kahlaiaf, commander, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, along with Col. Robert Scurlock Jr., commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, discussed operations in support of Operation Together Forward in the southwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriyah last Wednesday. Operation Together Forward began yesterday for the brigade and hopes to continue to improve the lives of Iraqis in the Baghdad area. Jaleel said he was optimistic of the recent successes of the Iraqi army in Baghdad resulting in the reduction of...

Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad, pull security in Ameriyah during a meeting of local leaders, members of the Iraqi Security Forces and MND-B Soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rodney Foliente Local Leaders Discuss Progress, Stability Local leaders, Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Army soldier meet to discuss stability and security in Baghdad neighborhood. By U.S. Army Spc. Rodney Foliente BAGHDAD, Aug. 21, 2006 -- Local leaders, Iraqi Security Forces representatives and Multi-National Division Baghdad soldiers conducted a meeting in Baghdad’s Ameriyah neighborhood as part of Operation Together Forward, an undertaking designed to increase stability and security throughout the...

Locals gather as Soldiers of the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion hand out food items in Baghdad recently. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Klika. BAGHDAD — Efforts this week to quell violence in the capital city are showing signs of progress, but Coalition leaders say the battle is far from over. “Abating the extremists in the capital will neither be easy nor rapid,”Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV said this week of progress in the capital city. “Challenges will ensue, but efforts will march forward block by block.” U.S. and Iraqi forces have been...

An Iraqi soldier from the 6th Iraqi Army Division assists an Iraqi citizen with a census form as part of Operation Together Forward. The operation is an Iraqi led, combined effort with Coalition forces to secure the city of Baghdad against terrorists activities. BAGHDAD — Iraqi and Coalition forces this week began witnessing the positive results of their efforts to secure Baghdad and improve quality of life here. Since Amaliya Ma’an ila Al-Amam or Operation Together Forward began July 9, combined forces have killed 97 and detained 501 terrorists associated with death squads, and seized more than 59 weapons...

CAMP LIBERTY — “With unity and security, there will be prosperity,” said Col. Robert Scurlock Jr., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division commander in a press conference Wednesday. Another way to improve prosperity is to turn once dormant factories into bustling centers of activity again. Recently the Multi-National Division – Baghdad assessment team conducted a three-day visit of seven state-owned factories in Baghdad in a continuing effort, coordinated with Coalition forces and the Iraqi government, to help improve local industry. The goal of the operation is to increase the factories’ productivity, which will hopefully lead to an increase in...