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Security for a price in Baghdad

Aug-10-2007 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Despite its recent losses the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT continues to make progress in its area of operations. We found this story via FOB Tacoma.

By Sharon Behn, The Washington Times

BAGHDAD — Residents and U.S. commanders agree that the streets of the al Doura neighborhood in southern Baghdad are safer than at any time in months, but the progress has come at a price.

As lucrative contracts are issued for Iraqi residents to begin repairing the neighborhood's dilapidated infrastructure, the Americans cannot be sure that some of the money isn't going straight to the enemy.

"It"s a choice between not trusting anybody and progress being unacceptably slow," said Lt. Col. Barry Huggins, battalion commander for the 2-3/3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team whose job it is to turn around the troubled Sunni neighborhood.

For months, Shi'ite militias and the foreign-backed militants of al Qaeda in Iraq had fought for control of the area, creating a relentless cycle of violence in which reconstruction was almost impossible.

Bombs were placed in the roads, in water pipes and in sewage pipes, causing floods and water shortages. Sectarian shootings and mortar attacks left homes crumbling and lopsided.

To slow the violence, the U.S. soldiers have encircled parts of the neighborhood with concrete barriers, hired Iraqi contractors to fix the infrastructure, and handed out small loans so that residents can restart businesses.

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