Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20071010-07
October 10, 2007

Sunnis, Shias put differences aside for peace
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

KALSU, Iraq – The government of Musayyib hosted a celebration of security and

economic growth at the city’s police station Oct. 8.

In a move to help reduce sectarian violence in North Babil, leaders from the

predominately Shia city of Musayyib came together with sheiks and

representatives of the largely Sunni region of Jurf As Sukhr to share their

optimism for the growth and development of the entire area.

With Sunni extremists influence such from the north and west, and rogue Shia

militias from the south, the region surrounding Musayyib and Jurf has been a

sectarian fault line for years.

With the security celebration in Musayyib, the sectarian tensions are

beginning to show real progress.

The chairman of the Musayyib Town Council, Thamir Thaban, and Sheik

Fadel Yousif, a representative of the newly formed Jurf As Sukhr government,

gave speeches praising the drop in violence and pledged to continue their work

together to bring a lasting peace to the region. Thaban is a member of the

Sadrist political movement, while Fadel was once a leader of the Jaish Al Islami.

With these two former enemies coming together, they have created a bond

and a possible model for all of Iraq to further reduce the sectarian violence which

has plagued the country.

Chairman Thamir Thaban, head of the Musayyib Town Council talks to a local

television station during the security celebration.

Sunni Sheik, Fadel Yousif, enjoys a soccer game with Shia Imam, Muadad

Abbas, following the security celebration.

Lt. Col. Mohammed, the Musayyib police chief, speaks to one of the leaders of

the local Concerned Citizens Programs following the security celebration.

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