HAWIJAH — The Government of Iraq and Coalition forces continue to reconcile former fighters as the Operation Restore Peace program in the Hawijah District of the Kirkuk province held its seventh meeting recently. “The Government of Iraq is giving you an opportunity to reconcile. Take it,” Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division said to those attending. “If you aren’t here to reconcile – I’ll see you again, on the battlefield.”Twenty-one showed up from throughout the district and were instructed on the reconciliation process under ‘Restore Peace’. The program involves six phases or steps encompassing approximately 240 days. From initial contact by Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces and local leadership to the first meeting where the program is laid-out and questions are fielded. Petitioners are also to provide personal information, according to 1st Lt. Matthew Gregor, 1-87, Fire and Effects Coordination Cell.
In step two, candidates return to be vetted, biometrically registered and entered into a data base. At this juncture, they are given a “temporary respite from targeting,” according to Vanek. The respite is part of the ‘no targeting agreement’, which occurs between the second and third steps, at which point the information obtained during step two is processed and verified.
Step three is the ‘no activity and no negative reporting period’ where the candidate is expected to cooperate with ISF and CF, and assist with the peace process by providing information on criminal activity occurring in their respective communities. In steps four through six, an accounting board made up of local government, ISF, CF leadership and a designated sponsor; determine the way ahead for the petitioner. If successful, a public declaration of allegiance to the Government of Iraq is made by the participant and further monitoring for a set period of time is undertaken.
The program locals refer to as ‘Musalaha’, has been instrumental along with the Sons of Iraq program with the over 90 percent decrease in violent attacks against ISF, CF and civilians in the Hawijah District, according to Gregor.
“Your sheik, neighbor and village have spoken,” Vanek said. “They want peace.”
Additionally, the successful lethal efforts of 1-87 and other CFs in sync with non-lethal methods are key to the security successes in the region and the motivating factor in persuading more Iraqis in the area to “lay down their arms and join the reconciliation process,” according to Vanek.
Over 200 have successfully completed the reconciliation process since 1-87 began Operation Restore Peace in January. Hawijah is located approximately 60 miles southwest of Kirkuk City.