This is quite a clean up op, considering all the other things going on.

Coalition forces killed three terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq and uncovered two dozen weapons caches during a five-day operation targeting bomb-making cells in the Diyala River Valley.

Coalition forces discovered 12 house-borne improvised explosive devices (HBIED) and anti-aircraft weapons while patrolling an area near Khan Bani Sa’ad Mar. 23 to 28 that had been used as a safe area by terrorists.

During the operation, one terrorist was observed hiding in an area of reeds. The assault force repeatedly instructed the individual to come out but he refused to comply with the ground forces’ instructions. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged the terrorist and killed him. Another suspect, hiding in a similar area, was detained when he followed instructions to surrender.

Surveillance teams observed two armed men digging in the road. Intelligence indicated the men were digging up a weapons cache and they were removing weaponry from the cache when, perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged and killed the terrorists. Two other suspected terrorists were wounded in the gun battle and were detained, treated on site and then taken to military medical facilities for further treatment.

Residents of the area told the ground force that al-Qaeda in Iraq had forced Shia families out of their homes and advised other locals to stay out of the houses. Other residents reported family members had been murdered within the previous 24 hours. Residents also guided Coalition forces to the body of an alleged terrorist and said many more bodies were buried in the area.

The HBIEDs had each marked on the outside with a bloody handprint or other markings. Coalition forces moved residents to a safe area and called in supporting fixed-wing aircraft to destroy the booby-trapped houses.

Hidden near one fighting position, Coalition forces found anti-aircraft weapons, ammunition and vehicles with mounts for the weapons. In another area, terrorists had hidden vehicles prepared as car bombs and placed two IEDs along the road.

Coalition forces also discovered weapons caches, bunkers and hidden fighting positions, some of which were reinforced with concrete. The caches contained rockets, mortar rounds and launching devices, bomb-making materials, weapons and ammunition. The ground force also found several Iraqi police and military uniforms, body armor, license plates and other documents. A Coalition explosives team safely destroyed the caches on site.

“This is a tough fight. Although al-Qaeda in Iraq has been hurt, they remain lethal,” said MNF-I spokesman Maj. Brad Leighton. “Despite recent gains against them, much remains to be done.”

MNF-I

A view of the new Rustimiyah land bridge from the old bridge, Feb. 28

DVIDS
By Staff Sgt. Sean Riley, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

The rusty remains of a temporary steel bridge were removed from over the Diyala River, Feb. 28, after the opening of the new Rustimiyah Bridge.

The 74th Engineer Company, from Fort Hood, Texas, stationed at Balad Air Base, recovered a prefabricated Mabey Johnson bridge which was elevated several feet above the surface of the old Rustimiyah bridge. The structure was a temporary solution to a hole from a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device blast last May.

In less than a year, the government of Iraq funded and constructed a new land bridge to span the river, connecting Jisr Diyala and Baghdad. It was opened for public use after a ceremony and a parade Feb. 22.

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A new land bridge connecting the Mada’in Qada and Baghdad opened Feb. 22. The government of Iraq constructed the bridge to alleviate traffic congestion and plans on rehabilitating a larger, adjacent bridge (in background), which was damaged by a truck bomb May 11, in coming months.

DVIDS
By Maj. Joe Sowers
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Hussein Tahan, governor of Baghdad province, cut a ribbon to open the new Rustimiyah Bridge across the Diyala River, Feb. 22.

The new bridge runs adjacent to a larger bridge that was damaged when an extremist detonated a truck bomb on it, May 11. The larger bridge reopened May 16, but remains in need of rehabilitation.

“Today is a great day,” said Tahan during a speech at the opening ceremony. “It is a sign that security has improved.”

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MNF-I

Operation Phantom Phoenix success in the area of the northern Diyala River Valley known as the “Bread Basket” allowed members of the Iraqi press to visit the area for the first time in recent memory Jan. 21.

The area had been a stronghold and safe haven for al-Qaeda in Iraq for several years.

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