Marne commander sees progress in Hawr Rajab
Friday, 09 November 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071109-03
November 9, 2007
Marne commander sees progress in Hawr Rajab
Sgt. Jason Stadel
2nd BCT PAO
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
HAWR RAJAB, Iraq – Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, walked the streets of Hawr Rajab Nov. 7 to see the progress achieved in the city’s security. Four months ago, any U.S. Soldier or Iraqi Army Solider walking the streets would have likely sparked a battle, as the city was under the control of al-Qaeda and the streets were lined with improvised explosive devices.
Now, with Concerned Local Citizens fighting back and helping U.S. Soldiers secure the city, the threat of al-Qaeda has dropped considerably.
An Iraqi Army mechanized company is also in place helping secure the community.
Iraqis setting aside their secular differences have also helped secure the area.
Sunni and Shia are working together to fight a greater enemy, al-Qaeda, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by U.S. Forces.
“We’re unique here,” Capt. Chad Klacius, commander Troop A, 1st Battalion, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, said to Lynch. “The Sunni concerned citizens and Shia Iraqi Army are working together; this is something that has helped us to secure the city.”
Klacius spearheaded the CLC program for 1-40th Cav. Reg., and about four months ago, he began working closely with a local leader named Sheik Ali, who is now the leader of the Hawr Rajab CLC group. The group has grown to 445 members, according to the 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. information operations office.
Ali, a Sunni, commented to Lynch that working with U.S. Forces and the IA has helped his people return to their homes after they were driven out by al-Qaeda more than two months ago. He said he and the rest of the concerned citizens will continue their relationship with the IA and Coalition Forces to keep al-Qaeda out of Hawr Rajab.
“The relationship with you and the IA is very important,” Lynch said to Ali “Whatever you need to help improve the living conditions, we’ll try and give it to you,” added Lynch.
The outlook for Hawr Rajab is optimistic, as there will be a constant U.S. Army presence and CLC at IA checkpoints. “The security is better than it ever has been since I took command 14 months ago,” Klacius said.
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FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – CENTER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT: MND-CENTER_PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114.
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