Families Return to Iraqi Town After Security Gains

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Feb. 5, 2008 – About 1,000 residents returned to a town southwest of Baghdad last week after learning coalition and Iraqi forces had secured the area.

Al Qaeda in Iraq infiltrated Zambraniyah last year. Local citizens said those who refused to support the terrorists were killed. Now, citizens are standing up to protect their community, and coalition forces also have helped organize a “Sons of Iraq” group to aid with local security through a program formerly known as concerned local citizens.

More than 500 Sons of Iraq in the Zambraniyah area have been recruited and organized into a force that works closely with the Iraqi army and coalition forces. More than 100 improvised explosive devices have been disposed of with their help, officials said.

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