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BAGHDAD, Iraq, September 2, 2006 - The commander of Coalition forces in East Baghdad is “cautiously optimistic” for the future in his area of operations, Pentagon reporters were told on Friday. COL Thomas Vail, commander of the 506th Regimental Combat Team, described via satellite from Baghdad how Operation Together Forward is having a noticeable effect in his area. Vail’s unit is responsible for an area covering 1,500 square kilometers of urban terrain, home to 5 million people. Operation Together Forward remains the US and Iraqi militaries’ main effort in the region. The Iraqi-planned and executed operation is cutting into sectarian violence in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah neighborhood – the focal point of recent missions, Vail said. The effort is based on the strategy of “clear, protect and build,” Vail explained. “Once Iraqi security forces have cleared the area, together we hold the area and protect the people.” Coalition forces in the area – including the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team – have increased joint patrols with the Iraqi Army and national and local Police. The cooperation produces security in a hard-hit area and helps re-establish normalcy in the neighborhoods, the commander said. “This helps increase the trust and confidence of the Iraqi people in the Iraqi government,” said Vail. “These operations set the conditions for us to work with local governments and continue to secure Adhamiyah and provide essential services.” Providing essential services – power, water, sewage, trash removal – is the “build” section of the joint strategy. Vail said the Iraqis have awarded contracts to haul trash, deliver power generators and remove abandoned vehicles in Adhamiyah. Civil affairs personnel have also helped restart local businesses and provided jobs to more than 650 men in the neighborhood. “People can have a safe place to raise their children, return to work and get back to a normal life,” he said. The colonel praised the efforts of the Iraqi security forces in the area. “In the end, an Iraqi solution is best,” he said. “The people of Baghdad must reject acts (of) violence and assist with information on the (anti-Iraqi forces) and support their government. “The government of Iraq is committed against terrorists and a better way of life for all Iraqis,” Vail added. The colonel said he is seeing a gradual change in attitude among residents of the area. The Iraqi security forces and Coalition troops are receiving numerous tips from locals regarding insurgent activity. The effect has been a drop in the number of murders in the area from 11 per day down to four. “There is a level of animosity toward the insurgents and (the population is) taking actions to assist the Iraqi forces and Coalition forces in the operations,” Vail said. The 506th’s area of operation is religiously mixed. The commander’s purview runs from the predominantly Sunni Salman Pak area to primarily Shiia areas further north. “I've got an optimistic view that civil war would not occur, but I can't predict the future,” Vail said. “My optimism comes from the amount of forces and the amount of capability available in Baghdad right now as we intervene and we protect the people.” Over 34 battalions of Coalition and Iraqi security forces serve in East Baghdad. Multi-National Division-Baghdad commanders continuously reallocate those forces to ensure security in the area. “Now there are Iraqi Police, there are National Police battalions, and there are Iraqi Army battalions available,” he said. “But I think the most important thing is that as the people realize that they're being protected and as they see that the services are coming back, and the relationship between the Iraqi security forces and the people improve, I think that will have detrimental effect on each type of insurgency or a particular group that's trying to take advantage of the population.” Vail said his soldiers have worked well with their Iraqi counterparts. They quickly gained a rapport with partner units who understand the local population, can navigate the geography and know what to look for regarding threats. “So with all that, I think we're able to better advise and train with the Iraqi Army and National Police daily,” the colonel said. |
