Iraq: Security Narrowed

U.S. Army helps improve traffic flow around Diyala Governance Center

 

 Multi-National Division – North PAO - DIYALA, Iraq – As a sign of Iraq’s growing self-confidence and sovereignty, the walls around the Diyala Governance Center are being moved closer to the building and out of the street, July 25.

To reduce the “bunker” appearance of the Diyala GC, engineers of the 887th Engineer Support Company, 37th Engineer Battalion, used two large cranes and shear manpower to move the more than 30 one-ton, concrete barriers and guard towers closer to the buildings of the Governance Center and out of the street, allowing traffic to flow more freely.

The work is being done at the request of Diyala’s Governor, Abdul Nasser al-Mahdawi, to reduce the “fortress-like” appearance of the Governance Center and reduce the footprint of the area without

jeopardizing security of those who work within the walls, said Col. Burt Thompson, commander of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, the unit that operates across Diyala Province.

“We are working to assist the Governor and the Diyala Operations Center commander in their efforts to continue to improve security and stability in Diyala. We have been working this deal for several weeks now. The provincial Governor wants to make changes to the footprint here,” said Thompson. “He wants to send a signal showing things are different now, showing sovereignty while maintaining security and looking less intimidating and bunkered and get back to normal.”