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QAHIRA, Iraq (February 16, 2008) - 'Sons of Iraq' (SoI) in the
northern Baghdad neighborhood of Qahira play a large role in
securing their backyard through local checkpoints. Lt. Col Michael
Pemrick, a Greenwich, N.Y., native, who serves as deputy commander
for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National
Division - Baghdad, said these local forces are one of the key
elements in the recent reduction of violence in the area.
SoI is a splinter group of the highly successful Concerned Local
Citizens program rooted throughout Iraq. Program members have
proven themselves invaluable to Coalition and Iraqi security
forces, pointing out insurgents and weapon caches, and manning
checkpoints.
"Without the Sons of Iraq, I think we would still have more
[al-Qaeda in Iraq] and special groups' activity," said Pemrick.
"There'd be more [improvised explosive devices]; there'd be more
Coalition forces being attacked as well as local civilians being
killed or hurt due to the activities of these [groups]."
Pemrick stopped to visit with several SoIs at their checkpoints
in Qahira during a patrol, Feb. 14.
"The guys were alert," he said. "They had weapons; they had
ammunition; they understood what their purpose was."
Pemrick also noted the protection level of the checkpoints as a
marked improvement.
Mohamad Imad Shehab, a member of the neighborhood SoI working at
one of the checkpoints there, appeared confident his efforts were
helping his community.
"I do feel that I am contributing to the neighborhood," Mohamad
said through an interpreter. "I am doing my part to keep this place
safe."
While an effective force at present, ideally, the Sons of Iraq
will be incorporated into and trained as official members of the
Iraqi security forces.
"The idea is that these guys would eventually transition to
become Iraqi policemen and work in the local communities where they
are from to increase, not only the manpower of the Iraqi police,
but also their local presence and credibility since it'll be local
men that are actually policing the communities," Pemrick said.
Because of the experience he gains as a SoI member, and his
prior experience in the Iraqi Army, Mohamad said he is hopeful to
be accepted into one of the ISF programs.
Ultimately, the transition of the SoI into Iraqi police is the
responsibility of the government of Iraq.
"The Iraqi police and the Iraqi government are the ones who are
making this happen," said Pemrick.
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