ISF Security Forces Meet With Coalition Forces And Tribal Leaders
Infantry and Coalition leaders sat down recently with Iraqi leadership in a fruitful and productive meeting. Tribal leaders from all over the region came together along with Vanguard Brigade and Iraqi Security forces to discuss issues of interest and to set goals for continuing to rebuild Iraq.
Iraqi Police were out in full force, and they were the force that provided security for the meeting and for FOB Kalsu convoy duty. Iraqi Army leaders led the discussions at the meeting on regional issues of security.
“They are starting to come together, the Army of Iraq has a large capability, they still seek certain equipment,” said Colonel Thomas James. James is the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. “Old line battalions have more training and equipment, they are all important and great units,”
More Iraqi leaders are declaring themselves “Iraqi First” which simply the idea that they are neither Sunni nor Shia in how they conduct themselves. Coalition and U.S. Forces heavily favor this non-sectarian approach, and it reduces the chance of tribal disagreements and bias against each other.
The leaders held an ad hoc impromptu press conference following the meeting, and answered questions. The goal for the future is to hold regularly scheduled meetings on a monthly and bi monthly basis. The site for such meetings will vary, and will be chosen by ISF and tribal leaders with the planning of each meeting.
