Iraq: The Cradle of Civilization

Week 21

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Mayor Najim

He could be Iraq's Rudy Guiliani.

Alaska and hope

There are many sides to the Iraq argument and there are plenty of examples here to justify any cause or argument.

It may be hard to believe, but someday Iraq will be a popular political subject. In five to ten years, people will be talking about all the great things going on here, and folks will be climbing hand-over-foot to stake a claim in the effort that only a small few believed in when times were hard.

I just got back from Tall Afar, west of Mosul in northern Iraq . It is the Alaska of Iraq. Six months ago it was the headquarters of al Qaeda in Iraq , and now it may be one of the safest cities in the country.

What did it take to transform a den of murder into a model for the rest of the country? The first step was a leader. Not an American leader, but an Iraqi. The Mayor of Tall Afar was a former Army general, jobless after the initial invasion he became the Police chief of the city and was eventually appointed mayor. Even with a price on his head and his family in hiding, he demanded change.

Next comes the Iraqi security forces. The American military is very good at killing people, especially bad people. In many cities and towns across Iraq we have cleaned out the insurgents, only to have them return once the operations had finished. By finally having enough Iraqi Police and Soldiers trained and ready to take over, when the 3 rd Armored Combat Team cleaned out the city in October, Iraqi troops were right behind them keeping the bad guys out.

Since then the violence is almost non-existent. Troublemakers have been quieted or pushed out of the city.

Finally, and most importantly, it takes time. The people have been terrorized, first by Saddam, then by Americans, and finally by the insurgents. It is easy to think that they should accept the safety and freedom of democracy, but they have been conditioned for so long to fear. Confidence that the police will keep order will take time. Confidence that it is safe to open up shop again, or go to work and school without being killed, will take time.

Until that happens, people will be angry and afraid.

For many weeks I had been mired in boredom and depression, not fully understanding what I was doing here. My trip to Tall Afar rekindled my pride and my hope for this cause.

Regardless of my lack of posts over the past month, I have a ton of pictures coming. Check back often for more photos from Tall Afar.

A letter from the Mayor of Tall Afar to the troops that liberated his city in September. Story of Tall Afar

In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful

To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall' Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.

To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.

To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.

Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young.

This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.

I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.

The leaders of this Regiment embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.

God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America , their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.

Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven't the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.

NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID AL-JIBOURI