Peace Descends Upon Ramadi Area
When soldiers and American Marine Corps soldiers, and members of the coalition troops first came to Ramadi, it was a very rough and rowdy area, with a lot of crime, and insurgents and members of Al Qaeda outnumbering the number of security forces and military. Gradually, as the surge mounted and the numbers of military increased, the tide began to turn.
Ramadi was previously a bloody battlefield, where harsh and pitched battles were waged for the community, and often the soldiers did not come out on top. But slowly this has changed. Marine Infantry members work hard to patrol the streets of Ramadi, and it has made the difference.
The Iraqi police have slowly grown into a professional and trained force, and they have taken over the entire security operation. This has not happened overnight, but slowly and on a gradual basis. This has been made possible by the quality training that they have received from the coalition, and it has been amazing as they have taken over the security, the citizens have slowly began to embrace and accept the Iraqi National Police and Iraqi Army members.
Units of Iraqi Security services routinely mount daily patrols, and they focus on dealing with the community on an individual basis. The Citizens feel well represented, and they have begun to relax.
There is a stark contrast between the security and peace now, and what has happened over the last year. A year ago the place was a Ambush alley, now it is a peaceful place.