Iraqi National Police Col. Ahmed Hatem Hamid Taher, the commander of 1st Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, hands out toys and school supplies in Al Furat, Iraq, May 17. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie Corbett.

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Police across the country have improved security while providing humanitarian aid for children in cities such as Ramadi and Baghdad.

“Every day I see Iraqi Police putting their lives on the line to protect the people of [Ramadi],” said U.S. Army Col. John Charlton, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It is because of their continued bravery that children can play outside and people can open shops and begin to live normal lives again.”

As Iraqi citizens continue to support Iraqi and Coalition forces by providing key information on terrorists and weapons caches, security forces utilize the information to secure the cities.

“[Terrorists] know the police are the only thing preventing them from coming into the area and taking over,” said Charlton.

Not only have the Iraqi Police been successful in securing key areas, they’ve also reached out to local communities through public gatherings.

“It’s nice to be able to provide an opportunity for Iraqi Police, Coalition forces and the citizens of Al-Furat [a neighborhood in Baghdad] to have a friendly gathering and bring smiles to the faces of so many impressionable Iraqi children,” said U.S. Army Maj. E. E. Smith of 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, National Police Transition Team.

During the gathering, Iraqi National Police dropped off soccer balls, clothing and food to children.

Often times, Iraqi Police are less equipped than their Coalition counterparts as they face improvised explosive devices, snipers and other dangers where terrorists continue to threaten peace.

According to the Iraqi Police Chief in Ramadi, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Khalil, the Iraqi Police have achieved victory, but they must continue their hard work because they are going through a very critical point in time.

“Maintaining victory will be the hardest part, therefore we must continue our hard work during this state of war and stick together as we fight the insurgents,” said Khalil.

(U.S. Army story by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined Press Information Center)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

• Coalition troops searching for the Soldiers captured in the May 12 attack, discovered a huge weapon cache complex and an explosives factory in an isolated area between Iskandariyah and the Euphrates River Friday.  

• Paratroopers arrested seven men suspected of constructing and
  planting improvised explosive devices in Iskandariyah and Musayyib this
  morning.