BASRA - The Gulf Region South Coast Corps of Engineers is working on several projects with Iraqi construction firms to rebuild various sites around the city of Basra.
The Sadr Teaching hospital is just one of the sites the Corps of Engineers is helping to rebuild for Iraqi infrastructure. The Shat Al Arab Courthouse is a new construction project in Al Tannumah on the northern side of the river. The Abo Al Khaseeb Votech Center is well underway, and classes are being held in some of the completed areas. Iraqi workers are putting artistic touches into several exterior areas of the building while making the interior a quality teaching environment.
300 citizens' demonstration in Tal Afar ends peacefully
TIKRIT - Approx. 300 Iraqi citizens gathered in a pro-Iraqi Security and CF demonstration in Tal Afar, May 1. The citizens assembled around noon and were also protesting a rumor that the Provincial Governor was planning to possibly replace Mayor Najim. At the conclusion of the demonstration, the citizens dispersed without incident.
"This is an example of freedom of speech at its very best," said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for MND-North.
AWT kill criminals, destroys criminal strongholds
BAGHDAD - Sadr City, May 1, at approx. 11:30 a.m., soldiers from the 4th Bn, 64th AR, 3rd BCT, 4th ID were attacked by criminals using small-arms fire, RPGs and sniper fire, while conducting barrier-emplacement ops. An AWT providing overwatch for the op engaged the criminals with a Hellfire missile. One criminal was killed, the rest fled the area.
At approx. 1:45 p.m., as the soldiers continued their barrier-emplacement op, they observed a suspect in a building with a weapon. An M1A2 Abrams tank crew providing security for the op fired a 120 mm round and killed the criminal.
At approx. 2:30 p.m., soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Cav Regt came under attack by criminals using small-arms and RPG fire from a nearby building. An AWT fired 2 Hellfire missiles and fixed-wing aircraft dropped 2 precision-guided munitions and destroyed the building, which ended the criminal attacks. At approx. 5:40 p.m., soldiers from 1-68th CAB were attacked in the same way, with the same results.
