Leaders And Military Officials Work Cooperatively For Change
Iraqi Leaders are working closely with Military leaders in the Kesra Area in southern Khanassa. Lieutenant Colonel Jack Marr represented Coalition interests at the meeting of leaders as various security and humanitarian topics were discussed.
“Our involvement was previously limited to air assault missions, we have not been involved in this area for these reasons,†said Lieutenant Colonel Marr.
The meetings were productive, and helped familiarize villagers with coalition forces. “Villagers have not seen coalition forces during the daylight hours since 2006, so this is new for them as well,†said Colonel Marr. The Khanassa region has been seen as an insurgent hotspot and a region of intense fighting until recently.
“We did not know how the villagers would receive us,†said Colonel Marr. “But their response has been very warm, we have been very well received by the leaders as well as the villagers,†said Colonel Marr.
Local village leaders welcomed soldiers to the area with an escort to their village. Villagers came to the gate of Outpost Carver and accompanied the soldiers all the way to the village. “We met with about 25 different leaders and sheiks, and then participated on a foot patrol,†said Colonel Marr.
Citizens were already securing their village using foot patrols and citizen groups, without having had any contact yet with coalition forces. “It was a very wonderful and warm welcome,†said Colonel Marr.
Despite the apparent success and stability, Colonel Marr says there is more that the Coalition can help out with. One of the efforts will be to assist the village with water and supplies.
