Key Route Between Baghdad and Baqubah Opened

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces cleared a key route between Baghdad and Baqubah of improvised explosive devices this month in Iraq. During the operations the units cleared 30 IEDs, killed an estimated 41 al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives, found and cleared 12 booby-trapped houses, 11 vehicleborne IEDs, found six weapons caches and detained nine suspected AQI operatives:

BAQUBAH, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – North forces cleared a key route between Baghdad and Baqubah of improvised explosive devices this month in Iraq.

This was done as part of the countrywide offensive Operation Phantom Phoenix, during the division’s Operation Blackhawk Harvest. Iraqi Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 5th IA Division, supported by 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment cleared 30 IEDs on and around the road that Iraqis call Sabh Nissan.

The area of the road between Khan Bani Sa’ad and Baqubah had been so heavily covered in IEDs that vehicles had to take other routes to get back and forth from Baghdad and Baqubah.

Lt. Col. Marshall Dougherty, 2-1 Cav. commander, was impressed by the performance of the Iraqi Army during the operation.

“This was a hugely successful brigade-level operation planned and led by the Iraqi Army,” Dougherty said. “The IA commander laid out his plan and asked us to provide assets to support his effort such as helicopters, close air support and artillery.”

In addition to the route-clearance mission, IA and CF cleared al-Qaeda in Iraq from many of the route’s surrounding villages and engaged the enemy in Khan Bani Sa’ad.

During Blackhawk Harvest, CF and IA killed an estimated 41 al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives. The exact number can not be confirmed because many of the enemy killed in action were due to bomb drops, and the bodies were cleared away before
CF could evaluated the blast sites.

In addition IA and CF found and cleared 12 booby-trapped houses, 11 vehicleborne IEDs, found six weapons caches and detained nine suspected AQI operatives.

On Jan. 20, 2-1 Cav. Soldiers liberated two local Iraqis who had been kidnapped and tortured for 11 days.

Ongoing operations in the area include continuing to clear AQI, crater repair on the highway and standing up Concerned Local Citizen groups to provide for their own security.

“This is another example of the Iraqi Army increasing their capacity and taking the lead in making their country safer,” Dougherty concluded.

Great job guys!