News Article

Reported by: Jim Ragonese, WBIR Reporter
Photo journalist: Tim Dale, Photographer
Last Updated: 8/3/2004 11:31:27 AM

Five vehicles rapidly approach the security checkpoint manned by Knoxville area members of the 278th Regimental Combat Unit.

Within seconds, dozens of people storm towards the soldiers, some stepping over concertino wire, others simply raising their fists as they shout and chant in Arabic.

The frenzied scene clearly unsettles several of the soldiers. The scene looks similar to many flashed across newscasts that cover the situation in Iraq.

It's incredibly realistic, because many of the people under government contract to help train U.S. troops, have lived through those types of protests and riots.

Several of the former Iraqi citizens fled Iraq to get away from Saddam Hussein's regime. They now travel to several military bases in the United States, working with soldiers to help them understand the cultural differences, and even the reasons why some Iraqis protest, even though they support the efforts of the United States in Iraq.

"You came to help. Don't leave me alone," explains former Iraqi citizen Ali Al-Kaabi, as he prepares to approach American troops at the protest training exercise at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. "...I love you I say, but give me what I want. I need medical. I need water, I need a job."

Al-Kaabi says those requests and demands are not uncommon among Iraqis now.

"When you look at it," says former Iraqi citizen Nadia Alsaedy, "They're gonna give their needs in a wild way, because their needs have been taken away for many years."

After several minutes of wild protesting and shouts and chants, an American soldier drops a canister of CS gas.

The crowd quickly disperses.

When the smoke clears, the soldier who worked the front gate for that training exercise says he highly values the training the former Iraqi citizens provide.

"There's certain things that you have to learn and be sensitive to their culture," says Spc. Kelly Copeland of the 278th.

Copeland says just as important as learning to deal with Iraqis in country, is learning about the Iraqis who fled the country to leave the oppression created by Saddam Hussein.

"We've gotten a chance to talk to some of them," explains Spc. Copeland. "...It just gives you a better idea that not everybody over there is negative against what we're doing."

Story Copyright to WBIR.Com