thedrifter
10-24-07, 07:11 AM
Iraq
Three Marines Try to Build Trust with Iraqi Province
by Anne Garrels
All Things Considered, October 23, 2007 · Various Shiite militias have almost completely taken over the southern Iraqi province of Qadisiyah, which also has become a transit route for weapons from Iran.
Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, has dispatched three Marines to the largely ignored province — where the Iraqi army is stretched thin and the police are untrustworthy. The Marines' job is to try to glue the broken pieces back together.
Capt. Ann Gildroy, Sgt. Alex Lemons and Capt. Seth Moulton — all between the ages of 28 and 30 — have served multiple tours in Iraq, and all three have worked in this area of Iraq before. They bring that experience, as well as long-standing and hard-won relationships with people in the province.
The three Marines face significant challenges. They are fighting not only poverty and the mistrust that is the legacy of broken promises by the U.S., but also the influence of the Shiite militias. Their goals are to rebuild the trust of the local people, including forging ties with local tribes to counter the militias.
Ellie
Three Marines Try to Build Trust with Iraqi Province
by Anne Garrels
All Things Considered, October 23, 2007 · Various Shiite militias have almost completely taken over the southern Iraqi province of Qadisiyah, which also has become a transit route for weapons from Iran.
Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, has dispatched three Marines to the largely ignored province — where the Iraqi army is stretched thin and the police are untrustworthy. The Marines' job is to try to glue the broken pieces back together.
Capt. Ann Gildroy, Sgt. Alex Lemons and Capt. Seth Moulton — all between the ages of 28 and 30 — have served multiple tours in Iraq, and all three have worked in this area of Iraq before. They bring that experience, as well as long-standing and hard-won relationships with people in the province.
The three Marines face significant challenges. They are fighting not only poverty and the mistrust that is the legacy of broken promises by the U.S., but also the influence of the Shiite militias. Their goals are to rebuild the trust of the local people, including forging ties with local tribes to counter the militias.
Ellie