MNFI Press Release - Nov 13

IP, SOI LEAD TO 25+ CACHES IN NOVEMBER
Iraqi Police (IP) and the Sons of Iraq (SOI) in the Salah Ad Din Province have found or provided information leading to the discovery of two large weapons caches on November 11th and 12th. Tikrit police found Al Qaeda propaganda, which led them to the location of a cache with more than 150 mortars, more than 30 rockets, and bomb making materials on November 11th. SoI provided information that led to the discovery of a cache containing 220 mortar rounds of various sizes, a rocket, and bomb making munitions southwest of Samarra on November 12th. Both caches were handed over to Coalition explosive ordnance disposal forces to destroy.

SoI and IP, who together have found more than 25 caches this month, are continuing to take dangerous weapons and bomb making materials off the street. “I love working with the Sons of Iraq. They have turned in many caches, and call us whenever something suspicious is happening. They have really helped bring security to this province”, said Major Sean Brown, brigade plans officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). SoI, IP and local citizens provided information leading to the discovery of 47 caches in September and 24 caches in October, substantially contributing to the safety and security of Salah ad Din Province.

LITTLE CHANGE IN WASIT AFTER TURNOVER TO IRAQIS
For Iraqi Police in Wasit Province, the transition to full Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) on October 29th was not a dramatic change, as they had taken the lead in security operations several months prior to the event. “After the problems in March, Iraqi Security Forces stepped up to take control of their destiny in [Wasit] province,” said Major General Abd al-Hanen Hammood Faisal, provincial director of police. “Since then, the primary role of Coalition Forces has been advising, training and providing information to the ISF.”

“I knew PIC was inevitable while I was here, so we wanted to put more and more responsibility on the ISF and less on CF,” said Colonel Richard Francey, 41st Fires Bde. commander and commander of CF in Wasit. “Day by day, we transferred security from CF to ISF, so when we got to PIC, day to day actions didn’t change much. From October 28th to October 30th, there should be very little apparent change.”

CF are still providing advice, training and support to Wasit’s ISF, said Captain Hayder Adnan Ali Al-Saedy, of the Iraqi Police. “They provide the training and advice we still need. We need to continue to build our skills. The Americans and the Iraqis are a team. As the Iraqi forces gain experience, the Coalition forces will have less of a presence.” One significant achievement for the Iraqi Police, with the increased security, has been the community’s increased confidence in the police’s ability to do their job, said Haneen. “They are happy to see their sons in the ISF doing joint missions, providing security to Wasit province.”

“We have a good relationship with the people of our district,” said Captain Al Fukar, commander of al Kut’s Falahea IP station. “That didn’t change with PIC. They want to help us. The people don’t want to go back to the militias. They want peace.” That relationship, and the assistance of the populace, is critical for continued stability in Wasit province, said Francey. “We are in a fragile time in the future of Iraq,” he said. “Day-to-day operations rely more and more on the Iraqi on the street to testify against bad people so those bad people may be put in jail and kept in jail.

“The days of an oppressive society are behind us, and we must protect against a return to those days while maintaining a secure and stable environment,” Francey added. “To do this, we need a strong security force and an honest and just judiciary, and the bridge between the two is an honest and brave populace who will step forward and speak against those who do wrong.”