3-89 Cavalry conducts operations targeting Mahdi Special Groups in northern Rusafa
CLICK HERE TO WACTH VIDEO slideshow of operations in the Rusafa district, Baghdad
Written and photos by Bill Ardolino
The US soldiers and Iraqi police living at Joint Security Station Al Qanat at the Northeastern edge of Baghdad’s Rusafa district have “a front row seat” to the fight taking place in Sadr City. As US and Iraqi Army forces clash with the Mahdi Army, hissing RPGs and small arms fire periodically crackle during the day and are punctuated by occasional orange explosions and red tracers streaking out of the Sadr City skyline at night. Two to four Apache attack helicopters constantly prowl the airspace over the battlefield, randomly popping flares as they search for targets.
The characteristic whoosh and boom of a hellfire missile sounds when they find one. But although JSS al Qanat is only 200 meters from the Route Pluto, the main thoroughfare that marks the border to Sadr City, the fighting has not significantly spilled over into the northern part of the Rusafa District.
Northern Rusafa is largely composed of middle and upper-class residences, in contrast with the slum of Sadr City and the downtown urbanity of the lower half of the district. The area includes several government agencies, including the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Academy, and is home for some high ranking government officials and their families.
The district is mostly Shia with a significant Sunni minority, though American personnel point out that most residents “don’t care” about the religious distinction. Many shop owners and other businessmen live across the border in Sadr City, while many residents of Rusafa work in the Shia slum.
Members of the Mahdi Army also commute to their jobs in the district: multiple improvised explosive device/explosively formed penetrator cells lay roadside bombs targeting Iraqi security and coalition forces. Militia operatives also conduct intimidation and black market business activities – notably selling stolen fuel – to fund their organization.
Black market gas fuels the militias
US and Iraqi forces are executing operations to degrade the financing and military activities of Mahdi cells in Rusafa. While conducting a patrol of Northeastern Rusafa on Sunday, Second Platoon of Charlie Troop of the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division stopped to question four men selling unauthorized fuel out of plastic cans on the side of the road. Fuel is an especially valuable commodity in Iraq, because corruption drives up legitimate prices and residents need it to run generators that augment an unreliable electric grid.
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Wild Thing’s comment……..
…..”My family and I are confused – why is the Mahdi Army fighting the Iraqi security forces?” said the elderly man. “What do they need, what do they want? We don’t know. I think it’s crazy. They try to destroy my country and they have support from Iran, who send the weapons and explosives, and now the militias are soldiers for Iran.”
BINGO! I would like to see them make short work of the Mahdi Army.
I wish this type of story was published more often. Showing what our troops and their Iraqi counterparts do, and why and how they do it. The confusion on the part of Iraqi citizens is understandable. Hell, I am confused about this war, but now I understand the goal(s).
We are trying to stabilize Iraq as a democracy and a base of pro Western support. And we are fighting the Wahabbi inspired fundalmentalist terror groups. We are also trying to contain Iran.
These goals seem plausible to me. I just wish President Bush would take the time to explain better the whys and hows of this war. I think the sacking of Rumsfeld and the recent surge are what are finally leading to success.
Maybe when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton bring all the troops home we can have them conduct operations in Congress. They can go door to door targeting anti-American and “not supporting the troops” Defeatocrats and RINOs.
Tom, thank you so much for your comment and input.
“These goals seem plausible to me”…I agree.
I agree too that I wish the media would do more stories or heck even one a day is not too much to ask for about our troops.
Les, yes, I am very serious when I say there should be a list of names of those that have been traitors to our country and I really think they should be jailed or worse. They put our troops lives in more danger, they put our country at risk as well siding with the enmey.