Iraqi national police to patrol Sayifiyah

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Jason Stadel | Sheik Kedr Lafta Jawad Abbas explains the needs for bring peace to Sayifiyah during a meeting with Col. Abbas, Iraqi national police battalion commander, Feb. 26 at Forward Operating Base Kalsu.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

02.27.2008

Story by Sgt. Jason Stadel 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Sgt. Jason Stadel
2nd Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – In an effort to build trust and confidence, coalition forces organized a meeting between Sayifiyah local leaders and an Iraqi national police battalion commander to discuss the future Iraqi security force presence in the region.

The meeting was held at Forward Operating Base Kalsu's civil-military operations center Feb. 26.

"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."

After coalition forces moved into Sayifiyah in January and secured it, a Sons of Iraq 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 wholeheartedly about the joint effort.

"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 Iraqi national police battalion will be introduced into Sayifiyah in the near future. More planning will take place and other meetings between CF, ISF and local leaders will be scheduled to make the transition smooth.

• Date Taken: 02.27.2008
• Date Posted: 02.28.2008 19:59
• Story ID: 16813
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ