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2nd BCT leaders meet with local sheiks, address security concerns

By Pfc. Edgar Reyes
April 6, 2006

FOB KALSU, Iraq (Army News Service, April 6, 2006) – Iraqi police officials, local sheiks from the northern Babil province and leaders from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discussed concerns regarding the province’s security April 1.

Recent attacks have caused concerns among citizens in the province regarding its security forces.

“My son was killed on Highway 8,” said a local sheik. “I do not feel like my tribe and people are safe in this province.”

Brig. Gen. Qais Hamza, Babil provincial police chief, voiced his frustrations and pleaded with local sheiks to help him eliminate further violence.

“There is a group out there who kills Iraqi Security Forces because they work with Americans,” said Qais. “They also kill innocent people without remorse. If we want security, we need to work together as a family, with no other interest except the one to help our country. In the Babil province, the law is above everyone – no one is above the law.”

Leaders from the 2nd BCT agree that security is the number-one problem in the northern Babil province. But a secure environment is crucial to stability, said Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

“With stability the economy grows, which in turn produces more jobs for the people,” he said.

Qais said he sees no difference between a Sunni and a Shi’a, and that it is in local sheiks’ interests to encourage young adults, whether Sunni or Shi’a, to join the police force and protect the province.

“When I hire IPs, I make sure there is a mix of Sunni and Shi’a in the squad,” said Qais. “Only together can we make this province secure.”

“The Coalition Forces will not be here forever,” added Tully. “When we leave, everyone should work together and support the ISF.”

“The main goal is to build a very strong Iraqi army and a strong Iraqi police force. As long as we reach that level, the U.S. Army will not have a reason to be here,” Qais concluded.

(Editor's note: Pfc. Edgar Reyes writes for the 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Office.)