Centcom News Feed - Feb 15

ADWANIYAH RESIDENTS SEE BRIGHTER FUTURE

Coalition troops and leaders of Adwaniyah, Iraq, have worked hard to establish trust and confidence within the community to improve the security and economic situation for the town. (U.S. Army photo)

Last year, the community of Adwaniyah witnessed the worst of what the insurgency brought to the people of Iraq. There were reports of kidnappings and murders. Members of al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) were said to have forced residents out of their homes. Soon, Adwaniyah residents realized that life under AQI would be a step backward and they began to work with Coalition Forces to rid their community of AQI. Adwaniyah citizens Hazim Shaker Ahmen and Riyah Yas Khudayr, both former Iraqi army officers, began working with the Coalition and started Sons of Iraq (SoI) programs (formerly known as Concerned Local Citizen programs) last October.

In mid-November AQI mounted an offensive against U.S. Soldiers, the Iraqi Army, and the Sons of Iraq. At the time, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division was the Army unit patrolling Adwaniyah. Troop B and the SoI repelled the offensive and since then AQI members have either been detained or fled the community. Now, Troop B, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. controls the battle space and the future of Adwaniyah is bright.