Baghdad, Iraq- There are a number of different Sons of Iraq groups that are scattered throughout Iraq. But one of the most successful groups recently was added to the Iraqi Government payroll, in an effort to support both their hard work and to give a loyal and willing security force employment to reinforce the Iraqi security situation.
The Ghazaliyah Guardians is a Sons of Iraq organization that works in the region of the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy BCT combat team, 1st Infantry MNF. They work and assist in many different types of security issues, including checkpoints, inspections, and occasionally in helping with house to house searches.
Their goal is to assist in composing and securing the local region that they and their families live in. They work in the public eye and their very presence is an example of pro active Iraqi
Security Force policing.
The Iraq government has worked hard to find different options to encourage the members of their local Sons of Iraq groups to stay on, including adding them to the government payroll. Most of the members have been glad to receive the stipend and paycheck, they are almost to a man members of the community who stepped forward to help out of loyalty and patriotism.
Now, they have a way to earn a living, still serving to keep their nation and their country safe.