The Battle for Tall Afar

Via email:

Dear Greyhawk,

Monday night (May 15) I had the honor of meeting Omar, the 19 yr old son of Mayor Najim of Talafar, and his US Army escort in the lobby of the Hyatt hotel in Washington DC.

My colleagues and I were in the hotel for a technical conference, and we fell into conversation with that jovial pair. They explained that they were in D.C. for a ceremony to honor Mayor Najim and the success of the city of Talafar in rooting out the insurgents there.

I was thrilled to find your blog entry through Google on Mayor Najim and read his stirring words to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment thanking them for their sacrifices and bravery.

I was already impressed with Omar and his Army escort (a major? not sure--he was in civvies), and it was clear that that US officer had nothing but deepest affection and admiration for Mayor Najim. Reading the letter on your blog absolutely convinces me of why. Thank you for posting it.

God bless America, and God save Iraq.

Ever since we first published Mayor Najim's letter to the troops of the 3rd ACR his city has been under attack by journalists (who either view it as an unrepeatable, isolated success or as a failure touted as success) and terrorists alike.

Shortly after it's appearance, Washington Post reporter Tom Ricks declared "Yes, the mayor gave me a copy of the letter when I had lunch with him. But one thing Americans have done in Iraq is take things too much at face value." And the Post never printed the story.

Over at the Daily Kos they declared the letter an outright fake, and heaped scorn on the wife of Col H.R. McMaster, who had vouched for it's authenticity. (Later, when additional proof was delivered, the Daily Kos post simply "disappeared".)

But to their great credit, the New York Post investigated the story, going straight to the source:

March 13, 2006 -- WASHINGTON - An Iraqi mayor says he was motivated to write a letter praising the performance of U.S. troops in his city because he believes the American public is not getting the full story about the "heroic" work they are doing.

In an exclusive telephone interview with The Post, Tal' Afar Mayor Najim Abdullah Abid al-Jibouri said he wants American policymakers and the public to know there is real progress taking place in Iraq.

"I'd like American citizens not to trust everything that is being said in the media because, unfortunately, most of the media is talking about negative things and about the problems," al-Jibouri said, speaking through a translator.

"They are not telling good stories about the U.S. Army's good job here in Iraq. I would like American citizens to concentrate on the pictures that show the children of Iraqis and how happy they feel when they see or meet American soldiers."

"I'd like American citizens not to trust everything that is being said in the media because, unfortunately, most of the media is talking about negative things and about the problems," al-Jibouri said, speaking through a translator.

"They are not telling good stories about the U.S. Army's good job here in Iraq. I would like American citizens to concentrate on the pictures that show the children of Iraqis and how happy they feel when they see or meet American soldiers."

One of the most eloquent is the Mayor of Tal Afar, a courageous Iraqi man named Najim. Mayor Najim arrived in the city in the midst of the al Qaeda occupation, and he knows exactly what our troops have helped accomplish. He calls our men and women in uniform "lion-hearts," and in a letter to the troopers of the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment, he spoke of a friendship sealed in blood and sacrifice. As Mayor Najim had this to say to the families of our fallen: "To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls [are] hovering around us every second of every minute. They will not be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life." America is proud of that sacrifice, and we're proud to have allies like Mayor Najim on our side in the fight for freedom.

At least 17 civilians, including women and children, were killed late today by a suicide truck bombing in Tal Afar, a northwestern Iraqi city, according to President Jalal Talabani's Kurdish political party.

At least 35 others, most of whom were women and children, were wounded after a white pickup truck carrying flour exploded about 8:30 p.m. in the city's marketplace, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan said on its Arabic-language Web site. The perpetrators have not been identified.

The violence came in a city that President George W. Bush has cited as an example of progress in fighting rebels in Iraq.

Which is exactly why one bomb can be so effective there. That bit about what the President said in March was probably included in the al Qaeda press release announcing the blast.

TAL AFAR, Iraq, May 2, 2006 — Located high above the city, in what is known as “The Castle,” Iraqi police are receiving much needed assistance in their fight against terrorism. Nestled safely behind the wall of this castle is the Tal Afar Joint Communications Center, a joint environment where Iraqi police, Iraqi army and coalition forces work together to monitor the city’s police frequencies as well as their power and utilities systems.

“A little less than a year ago, it was not safe to walk down the street. Now you look out and there are kids playing,” said Tal Afar Mayor Najim through an interpreter. “One of the main reasons for this is the [Joint Communications Center].”
<...>
Both coalition advisors and Iraqi officials agree there is still a lot of work to do and the city is not quite where it needs to be, but it is getting closer everyday.

Najim noted that in a recent speech, President Bush said the city of Tal Afar is a model for success that coalition and Iraqi leaders will follow in other cities throughout Iraq. Since the president’s comments though, Najif said terrorists have attacked the city several times, but he feels that because of the Joint Communications Center, they were better prepared to react to those attacks and are in a better position to stop further aggression.

“We knew as soon as we heard President Bush’s speech that the terrorists would try to make an example of our city,” Najim said, “but with the [Joint Communications Center] we were able to respond quickly and we have made this city safe again for our children.”

COLORADO SPRINGS - An Iraqi mayor stood before troops lined up on the lawn at Fort Carson on Friday morning and said only two words in English.

But those two words brought the crowd to its feet.

"Thank you."

(Those interested in the strategy, tactics, etc. are encouraged to visit here.)