Kirkuk Diary – Day 6
By David Mac Dougall, Baghdad Bureau
An early start this morning at Patrol Base Gaines Mill, as we headed out to the village of Kawaz Arab (the neighboring village is called Kawaz Kurd – I’ve been picturing them like Springfield & Shelbyville in “The Simpsons”.)
A real mix of security forces, the US soldiers were joined by Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Sons Of Iraq gunmen (a mostly Sunni militia, with a large proportion of former insurgents, who get paid by the US military).
There were 900 people living in Kawaz Arab when we arrived this morning. When we left, the village had one less resident.
Driving into the main street, several shots rang out and radio traffic spiked inside the MRAP vehicle as troops tried to figure out what was going on.
As the story unfolded, we learned that a resident, recently released from a US detention facility, had been living in one of the village’s half-built cinderblock houses. He quite possibly mistook the (rather large) convoy for a raid coming to get him. By coincidence, the convoy vehicles parked outside the man’s home, at which point he confronted them, produced a weapon, and shot an Iraqi army soldier three times.
The soldier’s colleagues then opened fire and the man was killed.
The point of our visit to Kawaz Arab was not to hunt down the suspected insurgent. US and Iraqi troops had planned to offer a health assessment service to any villagers who wanted to get a check-up.
Understandably, with so many armed soldiers milling around, a couple of US helicopters buzzing overhead and one dead villager… the other residents weren’t so keen to come forward and the day seemed to be a bust.
By 12 noon, we were driving back to Gaines Mill, Major McGrew and his men well aware of the cultural sensitivities of blocking the village streets as people were preparing to go to the mosque and pray.
In the coming weeks and months, the US and Iraqi forces might try to repeat the health screening mission, but they face an uphill task. While several elderly gentlemen in the village did come forward to the makeshift clinic, no women were prepared to venture out. Unfortunately, there were no female medics available to assist today, and that might have been a barrier to more women getting involved. But it certainly didn’t help to start the visit to Kawaz Arab with the death of a resident, however justified it may have been.
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Any feel yet for what the Iraqi citizen on the street feels about the election of Barrack Obama as president? Or is it too early to tell, or do they even care?
God Bless All. I pray for your safety each and every day. You are all doing a wonderful job and service to help give a people a democracy and protect mine. It is because of you that I can lay down at night knowing our nation is secure. Thank you so much, Jacque
I want our military to know how proud I am of them. Everytime I see some of our soldiers or marines on the news, I get tears in my eyes and I pray for your safety and victory. I understand your mission and feel forever grateful for your sacrifice.
All of you are doing a great job. We have been watching Fox News and they have been reporting about what a terrific job our military is doing. We haven’t forgotten about you. We are so excited to see the progress that has been made in Iraq. We will not take you for granted. May the Lord Jesus place a hedge of protection around you and keep you. We Love Our Military. God Bless each of you.
To the American soldiers – thank you for all you and your family sacrifice every day to keep our country strong and safe.
My husband and I wish to express our deepest appreciation to all the military for keeping us safe. We know the many sacrifices they give up. They are always in our thoughts and prayers. We also appreciate the imbedded reporters from Fox reporting the truth of what is happening over in Iraq. We are proud of all of you.
My husband and I wish to express our deepest appreciation to all the military for keeping us safe. We know the many sacrifices they give up. They are always in our thoughts and prayers. We also appreciate the imbedded reporters from Fox reporting the truth of what is happening over in Iraq. We are proud of all of you. Stay safe.
Hey to our very brave soldiers. You all should be very proud of your service as we are. Please don’t let the Obama victory depress you. We who have your back are dilligantly working to correct this .
God speed and be safe.
Hello from Colorado! I am so proud of all of our military!. Take care and God Bless each of you.
kamarie
You are Americas Gardian Angels. You make us proud to be Americans. Keep your spirits up, know that you are next to our hearts and in our prayers.
God Bless You All!
My son is there. Every day, all day long and night I am praying for him and all of you there.
I pray for our soldiers safe return. I am always looking at news from there in hopes to see a picture of my son. You guys are my heroes and I know that you are doing a great service to humanity there. Take care and may God bless you.
Love our soldiers, Love our nation and Love our President Bush. THe Constitution will stand. Our heros will live lifes of honor and duty and I hope majority of them come home and run for political office and help kick butt and take names in DC and in State Capitals. I can’t wait to see you all home safe. God Bless the Iraqi’s who do want freedom and may they grow in strength to defend themselves. Nothing worth while comes easy. Work and have faith that justice and truth prevail ALWAYS. Love our American Sons and Daughters of this great Republic that can offer hope and change to entire nations without giving one speech. Bravo and well done!
All the comments are everything I wanted to say. We are proud of our Sons and Daughters and are glad to hear the news from FOX News about your wonderful work and we pray for your safety and victory. Stay strong and stay proud! You are amazing!!!!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS YOU!