By Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div. Public Affairs
SINIYAH, Iraq – Many terrorists sought a haven here but were now confined to the cordoned city by a 12-foot high berm that wraps eight miles around Siniyah in the shape of a horseshoe. Razor wire outlines the tops of the berm amid surveillance and patrols by Iraqi and U.S. troops.
The only way in or out of the city is through a single, paved road with checkpoints manned by Iraqi army soldiers. The checkpoints have always existed but were reinforced after numerous attacks on security forces and civilians in Siniyah, said Lt. Col. Scott Harris, commander, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Siniyah lies in northern Salah ad Din Province and is the first city east of the Syrian Desert’s northeastern edge. Because of the city’s location, coalition forces believe terrorists harbor them selves there before filtering to other areas throughout Iraq, Harris continued.
Security in Siniyah began showing signs of weakening Oct. 24, 2006, when the police force of more than 100 quit due to terrorist attacks and threats against them and their families. Security didn’t show any signs of improvement as the police station was completely destroyed only 13 days later.
“The insurgents had a very strong hold on the city,” Harris said. “The entire city council quit; even the mayor resigned."
3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div. Public Affairs
SINIYAH, Iraq – Many terrorists sought a haven here but were now confined to the cordoned city by a 12-foot high berm that wraps eight miles around Siniyah in the shape of a horseshoe. Razor wire outlines the tops of the berm amid surveillance and patrols by Iraqi and U.S. troops.
The only way in or out of the city is through a single, paved road with checkpoints manned by Iraqi army soldiers. The checkpoints have always existed but were reinforced after numerous attacks on security forces and civilians in Siniyah, said Lt. Col. Scott Harris, commander, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Siniyah lies in northern Salah ad Din Province and is the first city east of the Syrian Desert’s northeastern edge. Because of the city’s location, coalition forces believe terrorists harbor them selves there before filtering to other areas throughout Iraq, Harris continued.
Security in Siniyah began showing signs of weakening Oct. 24, 2006, when the police force of more than 100 quit due to terrorist attacks and threats against them and their families. Security didn’t show any signs of improvement as the police station was completely destroyed only 13 days later.
“The insurgents had a very strong hold on the city,” Harris said. “The entire city council quit; even the mayor resigned."
(Photo: A bulldozer operated by a Paratrooper from the 618th Engineer Support Company (Airborne) builds a berm around the outskirts of Siniyah, Iraq, Dec. 9, 2006, just north of Tikrit. The burm was constructed to isolate the city and trap terrorists who operate out of it.)
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