AL-ANBAR PROVINCE — A group of brave Iraqi men fighting to create a better Iraq recently assumed control of an area in western al-Anbar province from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5.

Thursday, 04 September 2008

By Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson Regimental Combat Team 5 Providing security during a vehicle check point mission, Pvt. Samol Hali, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 29th Iraqi Army Brigade, protects the Soldiers searching a vehicle in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 24, 2008. Photo by Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson, Regimental Combat Team 5. AL-ANBAR PROVINCE — A group of brave Iraqi men fighting to create a better Iraq recently assumed control of an area in western al-Anbar province from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5. Prior to assuming control of the area near the city of Rutbah, Iraqi Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 29th Iraqi Army Brigade worked hand and hand with 2nd LAR Bn. “Our main focus is to get rid of the insurgency in oil smuggling and drugs,” said Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Afhman Dehold, 28, an infantry officer with 3rd Bn., 29th Iraqi Army Brigade. The Soldiers assumed control of the 8,000 sq. kilometer battlespace at the beginning of August and have conducted patrols through areas southwest of Rutbah, allowing the Iraqi Police to focus on activities within the city. Marines with 2nd LAR Bn. worked hard to set the Iraqi Soldiers up for success. “We wanted to provide them with the battlespace they could call home,” said Capt. Randall L. Parker, 30, company commander of Charlie Company, 2nd LAR Bn. “It sets them up for success to have an area for them to conduct operations and support our battalion.” Even though the Soldiers have assumed control of the area, Marines with Charlie Co. still work with them at least twice a week to provide moral support and increase their confidence. In only the short time the Iraqis have had control of the area, the Marines with 2nd LAR Bn. have seen a difference. “Having them here to eliminate the flow of drugs and oil smuggling is beneficial because they’re denying the enemy use of the terrain,” said Parker, from Bellville, Ohio. “Ever since they’ve taken over the battlespace, there has been a dramatic decrease of problems in that area.” The Iraqis have devoted their energy to shutting down all insurgent activities in the area, thwarting oil smuggling, and uncovering weapons caches. Though they just started, they look to make a difference in the security of the region before long. “We have been benefiting from tips that had been passed from the Iraqi troops and Coalition forces,” said Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Yassir Klakmil Almashidny, 21, an infantry officer with 3rd Bn., 29th Iraqi Army Brigade. “We have what we need to stop the insurgents.”

KARMAH — In an act of defiance toward al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI), Karmah sheikhs and Marines with Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, recently held their first meeting since a suicide vest attack killed 20 local leaders and key tribal figures and three Marines, June 26, 2008.

Thursday, 04 September 2008 ~  By 1st Lieutenant Andrew W. Duncan
Regimental Combat Team 1

Local sheikhs and tribal leaders from Karmah, Iraq, held a meeting with Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, Aug. 20, 2008, at the Iraqi Army base located in the city. Photo by 1st Lt. Andrew W. Duncan, Regimental Combat Team 1.

KARMAH — In an act of defiance toward al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI), Karmah sheikhs and Marines with Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, recently held their first meeting since a suicide vest attack killed 20 local leaders and key tribal figures and three Marines, June 26, 2008.

Lt. Col. Andrew R. Milburn, commanding officer, Task Force 1/3, and key staff of the battalion attended the meeting, Aug. 20, to offer assistance to the Iraqis and build on the accomplishments of the unit they replaced.

Task Force 1/3 replaced Task Force 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, in late July, beginning a seven-month deployment to the greater Karmah area.

The meeting was a gesture of unity between the Iraqi government and Coalition forces, and a sign of defiance against those who still oppose the government of Iraq.

Approximately 50 people were expected to attend the event at the Iraqi Army base, but the presence of over 200 forced them to change the venue of the meeting to tents.

“The meeting involved passionate and sometimes heated discussions of security issues in the wake of the attack which had killed close relatives of many in the room,” said Milburn.

The meeting also provided an open forum for Iraqis to voice concerns to the sheikhs and Marines.

Some Iraqis voiced concerns about upcoming Iraqi elections and about relatives who have been detained, but overall the mood of Iraqis was strongly pro-Coalition.

“The Marines have been our friends; we know that we can trust them” said the mayor of Karmah, whose predecessor was one of the Iraqis killed in the suicide attack.

Other issues and concerns addressed by the Sheikhs included upcoming nation-wide detainee releases, the impending dissolution of the Sons of Iraq, and concern over an eventual Marine withdrawal.

The meeting, with such a large turnout, showed the Iraqi’s willingness to form a stable government and work closely with Coalition forces despite AQI’s attempts to obstruct their efforts.