Iraq Assumes Responsibility For SoI In Kirkuk

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From 'MNFI': A large and diverse crowd gathered at an Iraqi Army base known as K-1, in Kirkuk to witness the official transfer of responsibility of the Sons of Iraq (SoI) in Kirkuk province from the U.S. Military to the Iraqi Army's (IA) 12th Division on February 25th. The SoI program is regarded by Coalition Forces (CF) as an important security organization consisting of citizen Soldiers who assisted in the fight against terrorists and improving security in Iraq. The program began in 2007. The crowd consisted of SoI, IA leaders, Kirkuk Provincial Police and U.S. military. The historic event marks significant steps in transferring the SoI to the Government of Iraq, who will make the first payment to them by April 1st.

Major General Abdul Ameer, the division commander for the 12th IA Division, was present to represent the IA, and Major General Robert Caslen, commander, Multi-National Division-North, was present to sign on behalf of CF. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss the future of SoI and how to best continue their efforts in the region. “This ceremony and what the SoI have done is very historic,” said Caslen. According to Caslen, this transition is very important to the security of the region. By joining the SoI and the 12th IA, we are bringing different groups together to make one force that can defend Iraq. “As we transition responsibility of the SoI to the GoI, it is important that we do it right and we must all be collectively committed to the success of this transfer,” said Caslen.

“We have a well-studied plan for the future of the SoI,” said Ameer. “We are coordinating with the leaders of the SoI. We are conducting meetings and planning for the future of the SoI.” The first step for the SoI’s integration will be arranging for payments to be made by the Government of Iraq (GoI) rather than CF, according to Ameer. “We are going to pay them the same way we pay our Soldiers,” said Ameer. “We want them to receive the same services as us. We are now in the process of making committees that will ensure the payments get to the SoI, and we are ready to assist and help them any way we can.”

Another step will be in determining the specific geographic operational areas for the SoIs. “Each SoI unit will have its area of responsibility,” said Ameer. As the SoI begin to integrate with the 12th IA Division, leaders are focusing on combining the efforts of both to increase security within the region. “Our goal is to join the SoI and the IA,” said Ameer. “We want them to participate in what the IA does. We want to integrate the SoI in our plans for securing the Kirkuk province. We are going to make combined checkpoints with both IA and SoI, and we will include them in raids and information-gathering in the region.”

Leaders within the 12th IA agreed with Ameer’s plans and added that they needed to have constant communication with the SoI in order to make this possible. The historic transition will be finalized April 1st when the SoI receive their first payment from the GoI. The consolidation of the AO’s and joint security efforts will continue to move forward in the coming months and the GoI will soon have complete responsibility of the SoI.