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WASHINGTON D.C. (February 14, 2008) - Coalition forces, Iraqi
troops, and "Sons of Iraq" security volunteers are working together
to rebuild areas south of Arab Jabour, Iraq, a senior military
official in Baghdad said this morning.
Coalition forces recently completed Operation Marne Thunderbolt,
which focused on the disruption of al Qaeda activities in Iraq,
Army Colonel Terry R. Ferrell, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in Multinational Division Center, said
in a conference call with online journalists and "bloggers."
"We've focused on moving to places we haven't been before," said
Ferrell, who has been in the Arab Jabour region since June.
Iraqi security forces and the Sons of Iraq helped the coalition
move further south, he added. "They lead the operations in Marne
Thunderbolt," he said. "Their performance is outstanding."
Iraqi security forces and the Sons of Iraq have worked together
to clear terrain of improvised explosive devices and weapons caches
while providing the coalition with intelligence. "Since June, they
have found 267 IEDs and 85 weapons caches just in the Arab Jabour
region," Ferrell said. "One battalion found 167 IEDs alone."
Overall, Ferrell said, he's seen improvement and growth from the
citizens throughout the operation.
"A lot of business that were closed down are now open," he said.
"New businesses are growing, and farmers are getting back into the
fields."
Ferrell said he believes the business growth is a result of
security improvements brought about by the Sons of Iraq and Iraqi
forces.
Now, coalition forces are focusing on getting local governments
to connect with the national government, which Ferrell said is
beginning to happen.
"Numerous government representatives are helping with the small
communities," Ferrell said. "As the area has become more secure as
a result of our efforts, the Sons of Iraq and the security forces
combined, that is the reason this is now starting to
transition.
"Where we are today, people are making great strides," Ferrell
said. "We are continuing to make assessments, but there is still a
lot of work to be done."
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