Samarra reopens bridge to city
The Salah ad Din governor, the deputy governor, and the provincial director of police, along with other leaders from the city of Samarra attended a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the Samarra Dam Bridge Jan. 3.
After eight months of traffic restriction, the bridge will provide passage from surrounding communities to Samarra’s markets and services.
For the past eight months, the entrances to the city of Samarra were essentially closed due to the levels of violence. Commerce into and within the city stopped. The re-opening of the bridge and other entry points is a direct result of improving security.
“The reopening of the bridge is a positive sign for improved security, as well as an improvement of freedom for the citizens of Samarra to conduct their daily lives,†said Capt. Josh Kurtzman, C Co., 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Captain Kurtzman is also the local Coalition Force commander in Samarra.
Following the ceremony and bridge crossing, the provincial and local leaders walked through the city visiting different locations and speaking with citizens along the route. They first visited the newly constructed northern checkpoint and then proceeded to the 30th Street Market where they met local shop owners and customers. The markets were filled with citizens conducting daily duties such as buying and selling goods.Governor Hamad Hamood Shekti, the Salah ad Din provincial governor, entertained questions from citizens while in the marketplace.
“The presence of the Salah ad Din province governor in the city of Samarra shows the people here that the provincial government is working for them, and is hearing first-hand some of the grievances from the people of Samarra,†Kurtzman said.
While in the market, Governor Shekti and other officials, also visited the nearby Samarra Teacher College, where students and faculty were able to query the governor, as well.
