Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Houston | Sheik Hamad Abdal Al Aziz, director general of religion for Sunnis and the Imam for...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Whitney Houston
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – Sheiks, local government officials and Iraqi security forces from the Tarmiyah area banded together to publicly reaffirm their stance against al-Qaida in Iraq at the Bukhari Hall in Tarmiyah, Aug. 14, 2008.
The reaffirmation was a reaction to a recent attack by AQI forces in the area that killed five people, to include women, children and a Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier.
"Al-Qaida has tried to terrorize the population and make them cower with these attacks invoking their grip of fear on them," said Lt. Col. Thomas Boccardi, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., who is the commander of 1st Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division –Baghdad.
"Tragedy results in two types of responses: it either galvanizes people, or it makes them cower. This attack had a galvanizing effect."
The terrorist's goal apparently was to enact the cowering effect. However, the attack failed to invoke fear as hoped and instead created a very strong resentment against the terrorists and furthered the determination of the local residents to rid Tarmiyah of these elements.
"The people of Tarmiyah, after four years of torture, kidnappings and public slaughters, just really want to live out their lives in peace," said Otu, an Arabic interpreter serving with the golden dragons. "They can't tolerate terrorist activity any more and face the risk of publicly condemning al-Qaida."
Those attending said the public denunciation of the cowardly terrorist attacks would send a clear message that Tarmiyah and other regions throughout the nation are fed up with the killing of their loved ones.
"This oath will show the media savvy al-Qieda operatives a crystal clear picture that there is no terrorist sanctuary in Tarmiyah, and the people will not bend to terrorists any longer," said Boccardi. "The significance of this event was the reaffirmation of the locals to stand up against terrorism. Senior leaders of tribes, local governments and Iraqi security forces all stood up and said: 'We will not fear, and we'll stand up against al-Qaida.'"
A recent AQI attack against coalition forces was so significant in unifying local nationals with coalition forces, said Boccardi, that those killed were honored as martyrs in "the good fight."
Among those so honored for their sacrifices was the Golden Dragons' Sgt. Kenneth Gibson.
The local populace's desire to stand against AQI didn't just occur over night. Initially, Tarmiyah residents were extremely reluctant to accept the coalition forces presence in the area. In face, they viewed the MND-B Soldiers as an "occupying force" with intent to "westernize" their country. As a result, they were more apt to support the insurgency and terrorists.
"It took some time to remove the stigma of our presence," said Boccardi, "We had to [win] the hearts and minds of the people and help them understand that their "muqawama" [the good fight, or resistance] was fighting against terrorism as opposed to fighting coalition forces."
The message put out by the leaders of Tarmiyah is a lasting one in that it was broadcast nationwide so their fellow country men could bear witness to their stand against the terrorist forces.
"All of the leaders of Tarmiyah stood up, read the oath and signed their names while on national television, said Capt. Calvin Kline, the "Golden Gragon" fusion cell officer. "They put out the message that they are united together to fight al-Qaida."
It is perhaps somewhat ironic in that an attack that was intended on striking fear into the hearts of local residents instead served to galvanize the population's opposition against the extremists
The attack reinforced the conclusion to the Tarmiyah citizens that the coalition forces were there to assist and help stabilize. It further proved to be a testament of the joint sacrifices shared by local nationals and coalition forces, explained Kline. The efforts to fight the extremists are already having an effect on the people of Tarmiyah.
Soon after the attack, local residents rallied in large numbers and came forward to testify against those responsible for the attacks – and just in the knick of time.
"We had the suspects who were involved in the attack in custody, but we didn't have enough evidence against them," said Otu. "If you don't have any evidence, you have to let them go. But, right as we were about to let them go, a line of people came forward to testify against them."
Otu said a common bond seems to be forming between local residents and coalition forces, adding that there seems to be more doing and less talking in the area now that the people are uniting in a common cause of fighting al-Qaida.
"It is safe to assume that al-Qaida's influence is finished in Tarmiyah and that these people in this region will see their cause through," said Latif Hamed Habib, a local resident and editor of the Amel Al Ouma, a local newspaper. "Tarmiyah's citizens are tired of the killing – they've had enough. Al-Qaida is losing its strength, and this last attack will be al-Qaida's last breath in Tarmiyah. This attack on women and children has brought our people to the end of their ropes."
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2008 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 22625 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 624 |
| Downloads: | 588 |
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