2nd Brigade, 4th IA Division Sheds Old Taboos through Civic Action In Kirkuk

by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD

A student of the Eshek Primary School in Kirkuk smiles for 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division Officers during a Civil Affairs visit, Jan. 8, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

In Iraq's former Army, members of the military were not allowed to interface with civilians. Today, "it is our duty and responsibility to take care of our people and engage local, provincial government leadership, and non government organizations," Maj. Zyad Junade Omar, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division's Civil Affairs officer said.

In his third year of conducting Civil Military Operations, Zyad is one of the IA's first full-time CA officers in its ranks who are responsible for identifying schools, villages, and neighborhoods, that need assistance with the help of local and provincial government officials, and non government organizations, who he meets with on a regular basis.

Maj. Zyad Junade Omar, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division Civil Affairs officer, displays a picture his son drew thanking the U.S. Army and depicting the unity both the IA and coalition forces have with each other in the rebuilding of Iraq, according to Zyad. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

"We understand the importance of building relationships with our neighbors through Civil Affairs' programs," Zyad said. He also credits the 4th Division's former commander, Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamad Amin recently promoted to his current rank, and now the Inspector General for the Ministry of Defense, for understanding the importance of CMO and giving the go-ahead for Zyad's appointment as its first CA officer, and the brigade's support in creating a CA program here. "I saw how our Coalition Forces conducted their CA programs and knew that was what we needed to do to help with building trust between the IA and the Iraqi people," Zyad said.

The 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division's guidon symbolizes the four ethnic groups found in the Kirkuk province and in its division with four hands clasping. Each hand is to represent a hand of a Kurd, Turkman, Arab, and Christian, united, in service to their country. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

The 2-4 IA pays particular attention to spreading its good will fairly to the four ethnic groups here; Arab, Turkman, Kurd, and Christian. The unity that the 2-4 IA seeks between the diverse population in Kirkuk is symbolized in the center of its guidon-the flag of the 2-4 IA. Four hands are clasped in its center to acknowledge each group and is representative of the bonding that occurs between all to serve the new Iraq, according to 2-4 IA Command Sgt. Major Naser Abdel Hassen Gohi Alsealowi.

"The 2-4 IA goes out and sees its neighbors...the people we serve. This is the best way to establish trust between both, and a sense of security to everyone," Zyad said.

Col. Malik Khder Khder Ahmed Khochnow, commander, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division reads from a book of one of the students at the Eshek Primary School during a visit, Jan. 8, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

Zyad also invites his coalition partners to participate with his CA activities "to show the Iraqi children that the IA and CF are partners, working together for a better Iraq," he said. This is important to Zyad as some Arabic media portray CF in a negative light. He described a conversation between his son Tarik, 6, who after watching an Arabic newscast asked Zyad why he was working with the "bad Coalition Forces." "I told my son that the news was wrong and then I took him to FOB Warrior where my U.S. friends showered him with candy and presents during a party they were having," Zyad said. Since then, his son corrects any misgivings other Iraqi children may have about CF presence here. "I thought it was important to invite the CF to our schools and other projects we undertake in the community, so that the Iraqi people can see that the IA and CF are partners in the rebuilding of a new Iraq." he said.

Col. Malik Khder Khder Ahmed Khochnow, commander, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division and Maj. Zyad Junade Omar, 2-4 IA Civil Affairs officer discuss other projects the 2-4 IA may undertake with an Eshek Primary School official in Kirkuk. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

Last month, the 2-4 were invited to an Assyrian Christian school were the theme of the Christmas party was Christian in nature. On a recent school visit, the 2-4 IA brought presents and food in celebration of Iraqi Army Day, January 7, 2008, to Eshek Primary School meaning "the light", in the Turkish language. The students range in age from 6-13, and are predominantly of Turkish descent although all ethnic groups attend the school. Some of the brigade staff and Junud (Iraqi Soldiers) visited the classrooms, speaking to the children, both girls and boys, and mingled amongst them in the school yard. "We want to show them that their Army supports them," Col. Malik Khder Khder Ahmed Khochnow, commander, 2nd Brigade, 4th IA Division said.

The 2-4 also provided funds to help refurbish the windows, and provide locks for the school's doors. They also paid an electrician to fix wiring issues.

"Whatever we can do for our children, we should do. We are helping to rebuild a better Iraq and a better future for our children," Col. Tariq Wasah Fakhri, commander of the 2nd Brigade's Administrative Department said. Fakhri financed the majority of the work with his own money. "It is our duty."

Two Eshek Primary School students of Turkish descent dressed in traditional garb and entertained 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division Soldiers with songs sung in their native tongue during a visit, Jan. 8, 2008. The 2-4 IA provided funds to help with needed repairs at the school. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD) Eshek, Turkish for "The Light," Primary School students wave and shout greetings in three different languages to 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers in Kirkuk, Iraq during a visit Jan. 8, 2008. The ethnic diverse province is home to four distinct ethnic groups; Turkmen, Kurds, Arabs, and Christians. Christians are considered an ethnic group in Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD) A Jundi (Iraqi Soldier) with the 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division answers questions about the IA from a student of the Eshek Primary School in Kirkuk, Iraq during a visit, Jan. 8, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

Col. Malik Khder Khder Ahmed Khochnow, commander, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division speaks to students of the Eshek Primary School in Kirkuk, Iraq during a visit, Jan. 8. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD) Students of Eshek Primary School in Kirkuk, Iraq watch 2nd Brigade, 4th Division's Iraqi Army Soldiers pass out presents and treats during a visit, Jan. 8, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD) Eshek Primary School students in Kirkuk, Iraq head toward class as Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division mingled amongst them, bringing presents and treats during a visit, Jan. 8, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

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