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HAWIJAH, Iraq (April 14, 2008) - A young man begins a business
to support his new family. Not exactly headline news, but for
24-year-old Kusai, his dream would be realized in the heart of this
city that was considered an extremists' stronghold only six months
ago.
Hawijah, about 60 miles south of Kirkuk city in Iraq's Kirkuk
province, has held center stage to the region's worst violence
against civilians, Iraq security forces, and coalition forces. The
residents here faced 10 to 15 attacks per day, according to
military records.
Soldiers report that they routinely were targeted with
small-arms fire upon exiting the confines of Forward Operating Base
McHenry, where soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st
Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, are located.
But since the citizens and their local leaders turned against
the extremists, overall violence in this predominantly Sunni-Arab
populated region of northeastern Iraq has dropped nearly 80
percent, Army Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, commander of 1-87th
Infantry, said.
Though isolated incidents occur, "the crucial element to the
ongoing successes here are the concerned citizens of Hawijah, who
are effectively identifying those responsible [for violent acts]
expeditiously," Vanek said. More than 7,000 Hawijah citizens are
enrolled as "Sons of Iraq," aiding local security efforts.
Kusai, the young businessman, said the local populace's
rejection of extremist violence made it possible for him to open
his shop and provide for his family.
"There is business. People feel safer. You see the security,"
Kusai, said, pointing to the five Sons of Iraq who had stopped by
to investigate and converse with the soldiers of Company B, 1-87th
Infantry. "These men are very good. They are always stopping by to
see if everything is OK," he said.
Kusai is not the only merchant who has benefited. An ice cream
parlor across the street that resembles a scaled-down version of a
fountain shop in the United States is stocked with soft drinks,
cookies, cakes and an ice cream machine.
Masmoud Wasif, 17, welcomes the soldiers as they enter to
purchase some canned drinks to hand out to the children that have
gathered there. The shop is owned by Wasif's parents, who have
operated the store for about three years.
"Business is much better," he said. "People are not afraid to
come to the marketplace and shop." He credits the Sons of Iraq for
the increased security. "I am very happy they are here," he said,
then asked them if they could stay until midnight so he could earn
more money.
Besides providing overwatch for the city's security, Sons of
Iraq were seen clearing debris and sweeping the streets during this
visit. A day later, on a return trip from another mission, Vanek
remarked that he has never seen the streets of Hawijah so clean.
"This is incredible," he said upon learning that the Sons of Iraq
were responsible. "Incredible."
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