Published: February 24, 2008
In Step with a 'Living' Iraqi Legend in Northern Iraq
By Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson
Kirkuk's ESU Commander Talks of Increased Security, Isnad, Mushalaha
He's a high value target to extremists here. A survivor of eight separate violent attacks. A Suicide Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Device almost killed him in November. The burns left scars over 50 percent of his body; they are visible on his face and hands. His right arm was shattered. He utilizes a cane for support as metal rods hold his right leg together and a hip was also replaced...meet Kirkuk's Emergency Services Unit Commander (a S.W.A.T.-like force of the Iraqi Police), Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer Aref Waly, "highly respected, and feared,"...depending on who you are, according to both Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Soldiers. In his first interview with western media, Khattab talked candidly about current topics affecting the Kirkuk Province.
"The terrorists want to destroy all that is good. They target the uneducated and fill their heads with lies," Kirkuk's Emergency Services Unit Commander Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer Aref Waly said. "They don't know any better. Let's show them how wrong the terrorists are." Khattab, has been the target of eight separate attacks here. The most recent in November 2007 which almost cost him his life. (U.S Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)
|
"The attacks that target me and other leaders of our Security Forces are meant to disrupt our progress here," Khattab said. "The terrorists are failing."
Kirkuk City and its province have seen around a 65 percent drop in overall violence against ISF, CF, and civilians within the last year. He praises the on-going cohesive working relationships in-place with provincial, tribal, Iraq Security Forces, and Coalition Forces' leadership here. "We are all involved in the programs that are geared toward a more secure Kirkuk from beginning to end," Khattab said. The programs Khattab refers to are: 'Isnad' (Arabic for Support), still in its infancy. The Isnad program has already stood-up over 7,000 'Sons of Iraq' since its December inception in the Hawijah district, the province's sore-spot in its southern region; and Mushalaha (Arabic for Reconciliation) which has, "former fighters against the government, laying down their weapons under strict terms," according to Maj. Sean Wilson, 1-10th Mountain Division's Public Affairs Officer. Khattab, also credits past and on-going joint ISF and CF operations which have taken the fight to the extremists, "attacking the terrorists at their leadership levels," he said. The successful capture and deaths of the top 10 key leaders of extremists' cells operating here have, "destroyed them and caused disorganization with those that remain." He points out the recent "unsuccessful attacks," here against ISF, coupled, with the constant presence of ISF, as "instilling confidence and credibility with the people of Kirkuk." "The people see us. We are everywhere. That includes the terrorists," the former Peshmerga Soldier said. "They cannot hide." He agrees with news reports of al Qaeda being on the run, "But, we have to keep them running," he said.
"The attacks that target me and other leaders of our Security Forces are meant to disrupt our progress here," Kirkuk's Emergency Services Unit Commander Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer Aref Waly said. "The terrorists are failing." (U.S Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)
|
Last week, joint operations had ISF and CF conducting cordon and search operations in six districts. "We cannot let them regroup. We have to deny them refuge," he cautioned. He was troubled by recent reports of a video that was found in the Diyala province showing al Qaeda training children, 'guerilla tactics'. "We need to identify where those children are and children like them. We have to rescue them or they are lost," he said. "Terrorists exist everywhere. The terrorist here; all say they are for Islam. They are lying. It's political. Each has their own agenda and they use Islam for their own purposes," he said. He also points out that as security is increased, attention has to be shifted to projects that will assist the province's outer villages where children are recruited. "These villagers are more susceptible to the lies, spread by the terrorists," he said, agreeing that the country suffers from an 'economy based on the bomb', meaning those that are employed to carry-out I.E.D. attacks such as; the 'shovel-man', who digs the hole, to the emplacer; who places the device in the hole; to the spotters, who watch for the target; to name a few in that process. "Focus civic military operations on these people. Involve them with projects that the village and its people benefit from," he said. "Build medical clinics and schools. Incorporate the people into the planning process and involve them throughout its construction." He mentioned the building of a dam that was constructed in the mountains of Kurdistan that united foreigners with villagers there. The bonding between both had uneducated villagers speaking English by its completion. The dam undertaking also employed the majority of the village resulting in commerce and economics in that area. "We need to concentrate on building schools and medical clinics where they are needed the most," he said. He understands the tactics utilized against opponents of extremists, having been forced to leave Kirkuk with his family as a young adult during the Sadaam years, persecuted due to his Kurdish ethnicity He later fought against Sadaam's Army in the mountains of Kurdistan for over 25 years as a Peshmerga. His exploits, during that time, and as a Peshmerga Soldier partnered with the Coalition Forces to overthrow Sadaam, until now, are what Hollywood epics derive.
Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer Aref Waly walks with Brig. Gen. Kawa Garib Abdul-Rahman, Kirkuk Police Academy commandant during a recent visit. Khattab utilizes a cane as a result of November's Suicide Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Device that killed three of his men. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)
|
"The terrorists want to destroy all that is good. They target the uneducated and fill their heads with lies," he said. "They don't know any better. Let's show them how wrong the terrorists are." As to Mushahala, or Reconciliation to westerners. "we need to meet with the leaders of these people. That is who needs to reconcile. With the leader, those he controls will follow." Khattab said. "Or, we cut the head off." Once the process is begun, "programs need to be in-place that will put these people to work, rebuilding the destruction they have caused," he said. He suggests creating 'road crews', crews similar to those in the U.S. that pick up garbage and debris along highways for a salary. "Pay them. These men need to be able to feed their families. If we do not provide them jobs, terrorists will," Khattaba Rash, the black Khattab, nicknamed for his dark skin, said. As to the rebuilding of Kirkuk and the rest of the region, the former Sulayminiyah Chief of Police said that it will take up to 10 years or more. "We have lived under a dictator for a long time. We went from zero freedom to 80 percent free," he said. "We are just beginning to think for ourselves." Khattab said that neighbor did not trust neighbor under Sadaam. "There was no freedom. We are learning to be free with all the responsibility that comes with being in control of our own destinies," he said. "That takes time to learn and understand."
Kirkuk's Emergency Services Unit Commander Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer Aref Waly is flanked by his Personal Support Detail. Three of Khattab's PSD died in a Suicide Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Device attack targeting the ESU commander in November 2007...several others were seriously injured, but insisted on returning to the detail. As one said, "I would gladly give my life for him." (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)
|
The father of five believes in God. He credits his survival from his recent attack on decisions he makes as the ESU commander. "I believe in human rights. I enforce that. I only want what is best for the people of Kirkuk, regardless of political party or ethnic group. It's enshala," he said, referring to the belief that one's path in life is based on God's will. He is known to be strict, disciplined, but fair. "He does not discriminate between the various ethnic groups. He treats us all the same," Usama, 29, one of his ESU Personal Security Detail said. Usama, is referring to the four ethnic groups found in Kirkuk; Kurd, Turk, Arab, and Christian. "He wants us all to live peacefully together," he said. Usama, is one of several PSD members present who were wounded along with Khattab during the attack...three other ESU members died as a result. Those injured insisted on returning to the detail. "I am honored to be protecting 'the general'; I would gladly give my life for him," he said. Khattab's PSD does not mask their identities as other IPs may do. "If we are scared, we wouldn't be here. We don't need to cover our faces," Ahmed, 25, said. "We know we are targets. We have already accepted that. The general is an important man and we will die protecting him."
Khattab has been married to his wife, Faezah for over 31 years. They have five children; two girls and three boys between the ages, 19-29. All, but one, live, work, and attend school in Kirkuk. "I tell my children...Kirkuk will be secure in around 10 years and we will all live in peace," he said.
Search News
