Iraqis hold grand re-opening of Sarafiyah Bridge - Rusafa-Karhk roadway bridge opens after reconstruction

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jerome Bishop | Members of the Iraqi color guard stand ready to receive Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the, May 27, re-opening of the Sarafiyah bridge, which links the Rusafa and Karhk Districts of Baghdad. The Bridge, which was built by the British during the 1940s, was destroyed in a vehicle borne improvised explosive device attack, April 12, 2007. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Jerome Bishop)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.27.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Sgt. Jerome Bishop
Multi-National Division - Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The promise of a prosperous future for Iraq took one more step closer to becoming a reality as the Sarafiyah bridge linking the Rusafa and Karkh Districts of Baghdad was reopened, May 27, after being rebuilt.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was present for the opening event, which featured live music, several speeches and a ribbon cutting on the bridge's road way.

The significance of the event wasn't limited only to the result of the bridges opening, but also in how it came to be as it was the government of Iraq, who took the initiative to conduct the reconstruction.

"The reason I think this event was significant today is because it really shows the resilience of the GoI and their ability to repair this bridge, which was destroyed by an insurgent act, and to repair it and continue on with the rebuilding of Iraq and the betterment of Iraq," said Maj. Frank Garcia, a Carson City, Nev., native, who serves as the public affairs officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, which operates primarily out of the area where the bridge is located.

Now that the Sarafiyah bridge is open, traffic can flow freely across. The local economy is expected to receive a boost since the flow of goods and services will be much easier, added Garcia.

"We didn't have a direct role in this; it was Iraqi-led, Iraqi-designed, and there were very few coalition members there," Garcia said.

In addition to tangible, economic gains offered by the re-opening of the bridge, the ceremony also marked a more symbolic meaning.

"One side is Shi'a and the other side is Sunni, and there were very good relationships between them. The terrorists tried to send a message: 'We would like to cut the communication lines between these two main groups in Iraq;' but luckily, they didn't manage to do that," said Mohammed Asadi, a Baghdad native, who works as a media advisor for 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.

"And they send the message back: 'Here we are, and we are together,'" he added.

The Sarafiyah bridge, one of several bridges that cross the Tigris River in the Iraqi capital, was destroyed in a vehicle borne improvised explosive device attack, April 12, 2007, that killed 10 Iraqis and injured at least 26 others.

• Date Taken: 05.27.2008
• Date Posted: 05.28.2008 12:21
• Story ID: 19879
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ