Friday, 29 February 2008 Sgt. Jason Stadel
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FOB KALSU — Coalition forces organized a meeting here Feb. 26, where leaders of Sayifiyah and an Iraqi National Police (NP) battalion commander discussed the Iraqi security force presence in the region.

“You have worked wonderfully with Coalition forces,” said Col. James Adams, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division deputy commander, addressing the 13 Sayifiyah sheiks. “We’re just adding one more member to the team and that member is the Iraqi security forces (ISF).”

After Coalition forces moved in and secured Sayifiyah in January, a ‘Sons of Iraq’ (SoI) program was started. The SoI and U.S. troops have kept the area relatively free of extremist attacks but Adams said it’s important to involve the ISF in protecting Iraq’s citizens.

“It’s going to be a while before we go anywhere,” Adams said of the Coalition presence. “But we’re not going to be here forever.”

The NP battalion is part of the 1st NP Division. The battalion commander, Col. Abbas, reassured the sheiks that his goal was to enforce the laws set forth by the Iraqi constitution and keep the best interests of the Iraqi people in mind.

“I am here to work for your benefit,” Abbas said. “I’m here to enforce the law and to work for security and stabilization.”

The sheiks showed their appreciation for the ‘matter of fact’ attitude that Abbas showed. “We want to open a new page,” said Sheik Kedr Lafta Jawad al Dulaymi. “We like what you are saying and we want to work with you.”

Adams agreed the joint effort is good for all concerned.

“In other places in our area of operations we have SoI and Iraqi Army manning the same checkpoints,” he said. “They work together to improve security and to improve their town; we can have that in Sayifiyah.”

The NP battalion will be introduced into Sayifiyah in the near future. More planning will take place and other meetings between Coalition forces, ISF and local leaders will be scheduled to make the transition smooth.

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