MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - An estimated three million Shi"ites began a yearly journey to Karbala March 17 to participate in a pilgrimage previously forbidden under the ousted ex-president Saddam Hussein.
In an attempt to provide security for the travelers, Iraqi forces posted additional elements along the main highway between Baghdad and Karbala.
"Our job is to make sure that everyone is safe and that there are no weapons in the crowd," said Capt. Saad Abdullah, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. "My soldiers have done a very good job following their orders, and I am proud of how they've kept everything under control."
The pilgrimage and the subsequent ceremonies in Karbala are meant to honor the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Imam Hussein was killed on a battlefield in Karbala in the seventh century, causing the split between the Shi"ite and Sunni branches of Islam. Today, Iraqi Shi"ites travel to his golden domed shrine, often by foot, to commemorate the pain and suffering that Hussein suffered during his death.
With Iraqi forces taking the lead in securing the busiest sections of the route, coalition training teams working along side them noted the progress their counterparts have made under their guidance.
"When we first started working with the Iraqi army, most of them were straight off the street," said Sgt. Edward Rodriguez, an infantryman with Military Transition Team 2, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "Now they're busy with all the checkpoints they run. The biggest difference is they're doing things better now, like supplying their guys, pushing out on patrols and doing it on their own without waiting for us to tell them how to execute it."
With a seemingly unending stream of pilgrims passing by, MiTT 2 Soldiers expressed the importance of maintaining security in the area.
"We have a huge crowd out there," said Rodriguez, a native of Manhattan, NY. "The Iraqi soldiers have to keep order over the crowd. They're making sure the crowd is safe and making sure there isn't anyone using the crowd as a way to set up improvised-explosive devises or ambushes."
Two days into the religious holiday, Soldiers on both sides expressed encouragement with the mostly peaceful procession of Shi"ites.
"We haven't had any problems with the crowds so far," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Berndt, a native of Osh Kosh, Wis, an infantryman with MiTT 2, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. "They've been pretty quiet about their business and what they're doing for this religious holiday."
It is hoped that large events such as these will give the Iraqi security forces the added experience necessary for them to continue the transition of the security situation in Iraq.
"This is a big stepping stone for the Iraqi army and the whole country of Iraq," said Berndt. "Getting these troops on the ground is what will make them the overall success in Iraq, and they need to continue doing this to allow them to have a safe and stable country."
U.S. forces, working along side the Iraqi military, said they look forward to the future successes of their partners and knowing that they helped them get there.
"This mission is what's going to get the Iraqi army running and the U.S. back home," said Rodriguez. "I'm proud to have helped with that."
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2006 11:03 |
| Story ID: | 5804 |
| Location: | MAHMUDIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
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