Second School Destroyed in Two Days North of Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers responded to an explosion that destroyed a school north of Baghdad July 14, making this the second school in the area to be destroyed in the last two days:

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division responded to the explosion, shortly after noon, while on a patrol in the area of Quant Banat Al Hasam, Iraq. When the Soldiers arrived at the site, the cause of the explosion could not be identified.

“We had received several tips that Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) was using this school as a rendezvous point to conduct meetings and cache weapons and munitions,” said Maj. Randall Baucom, spokesperson and public affairs officer for the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team. “Although the exact cause of this explosion is unknown, like the destruction of the Al Malahma School in Taji, we believe AQI is a likely suspect.”

Is Al Qaeda in Iraq now attempting to cover their tracks and beat a hasty retreat from the area? We shall have to wait and see what develops, but if Al Qaeda in Iraq is now destroying their safe houses and moving to other locations it must mean that the surge is working and working well.

Al Qaeda in Iraq is on the run.