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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jul 23, 2008 - 2:26:24 PM |
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| Capt. Eric Fedak, a civil affairs team leader with Company B, 414th CA Battalion out of Utica, N.Y., talks to a local man through an interpreter prior to the grand reopening of the market in the Al Hadher neighborhood in Baghdad Feb. 18. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq - A few months ago the Al Doura District was considered by many to be one of the most dangerous places in all of Iraq. Sectarian violence had taken over the streets, and the people of the community fled to find safety anywhere they could.
One of the markets in the Al Hadher neighborhood had been virtually destroyed by the violence that swept through the area. That was until Multi-National Division - Baghdad and Iraqi security forces began to focus efforts in the district to stop the bloodshed.
Recently, a new life has been brought back into the area and the marketplace. The troops from 1st Battalion, 14th Cavalry Regiment, also known as Task Force 1-14th Cavalry, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, a civil affairs company and community leaders came together to celebrate the grand reopening of the marketplace Feb. 18.
For the Soldiers and the community, it was a clear message of the ongoing improvements being made in the area by coalition forces and community leaders.
"I'd like to thank coalition forces and the local counsel in Al Hadher in their efforts to reopen this market," said District Advisory Counsel Chairman, Sabeeh Radhi Al Ka'abi. "The improvement of the security will help to rebuild Baghdad and bring more opportunities to the people counting on the coalition."
Security wasn't always this good for the neighborhood. The market manager, Abu Haider, said this is an undeniable improvement of the way things used to be for his neighborhood and the market.
"The market had been empty because the security in the area was very poor and civilians were being targeted by terrorists," Haider said. "Recently, coalition forces raided the area many times to help chase the terrorists away. Now that the market has reopened, people can start to return to their normal routines."
A man selling fruit in the market who wished not to be named said he and his family are grateful for what's being done for his neighborhood, and he hopes to continue to see those improvements continue.
"A few months ago, no one could come to the market because terrorists were running the city as they wanted. Now, everything has changed,” he said. “The Iraqi security force and coalition forces are everywhere. People can come and go to the market as they please. We hope the ISF and coalition can keep the security they have now and improve even more of the city. The relation between the people and the ISF is good."
Capt. Eric Fedak from Company B, 414th Civil Affairs Battalion attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, said bringing the Iraqi national police into the project was just as important as the market revitalization itself.
"We've been trying to re-introduce the national police into the area," said the Ashville, N.C., native. “With events like this, hopefully, the people will be able to rely a lot more on the national police."
Along with the upgraded security and the promise of hope came a new power generator for the neighborhood. Fedak said that another generator is planned to be dropped off along with upgrades to the road barriers.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Soldiers from Company B. 414th Civil Affairs Battalion out of Utica, N.Y., hang a banner for part of the celebration held for the grand reopening of the market in the Al Hadher neighborhood in Baghdad Feb. 18. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| Lt. Col. Michael Peterson, commander of Task Force 1-14 Cavalry, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, walks with Sabeeh Radhi Al Ka'abi, chairman of the Al Rashid District Advisory Counsel, before a ceremony hailing the reopening of the market in Baghdad's Al Hadher neighborhood Feb. 18. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| The chairman of the Al Rashid District Advisory Council, Sabeeh Radhi Al Ka'abi, is joined by Iraqi Brig. Gen. Gazwan, coalition forces and members of the Iraqi police to cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the market in Baghdad's Al Hadher neighborhood Feb. 18. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mazalewski with Co. B, 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, provides security during a ceremony to reopen the marketplace in Baghdad's Al Hadher neighborhood Feb. 18. Mazalewski, a Lake in the Hills, Ill., native, and the troops from his civil affairs company worked closely with local leaders to reopen the market. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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