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Operation Restore Peace VI offers alternative to former fighters in Hawijah, Iraq

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080521-06
May 21, 2008

Operation Restore Peace VI offers alternative to former fighters in Hawijah, Iraq
Multi-National Division – North PAO

HAWIJAH, Iraq – Sheiks, villagers and Coalition force members attended a reconciliation meeting held at Forward Operating Base McHenry May 18.

The sixth meeting under Operation Restore Peace afforded a pathway toward reconciliation to combatants who have been linked to attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces.

The program, citizens call Musalaha, has been credited along with the Sons of Iraq program, with more than a 90 percent decrease in violent attacks against both forces and civilians in the Hawijah district, located roughly 60 miles southwest of Kirkuk City in the Ta’mim Province.

Since January, more than 200 citizens in the region have reconciled during this operation.

“We came today of our own freewill,” said Sheik Atta Muhammad Hussein of the Obedi tribe in the district of Riyadh. “I tell my children and villagers that we need to cooperate with our government and our security forces. That is the only way our lives will improve and that Iraq will prosper as a country.”

Locals came from as far as the village of Al-Quodas, approximately 20 miles northeast of Hawijah, to as close as Riyadh some five miles up the road. Khalif Khudi Muhammid of the Abassi tribe heard of the meeting from a local in a neighboring village.

“He told me that I needed to go to Musahala here,” Muhammid said. “This person told me I had a choice.”

More Iraqis here are becoming motivated to join the reconciliation program as joint targeting efforts between the ISF and CF with information given by citizens and Sons of Iraq members.

The information obtained in the past two weeks has led to the detention of 13 known criminals.

“Spread the word. Tell your friends, family and everyone you know. The opportunity still exists to reconcile. But, time is running out,” Vanek said.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT: MNDNPAO@1AD.ARMY.MIL OR DSN 318-856-0218

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