Photo By Master Sgt. Jerry Saslav | Iraqi engineers repair the damage to the water main in the Adhamiyah district of...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Jerry Saslav
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – Terrorists detonated a powerful improvised explosive device on the main water line in the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad, Oct. 30, 2008, which disrupted water service to one million of Baghdad residents.
"It's a pretty signature attack by al-Qaida," said Maj. John Gossart, executive officer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
The explosion created an 18-inch hole in the pipe, affecting the Adhamiyah, Rusafa and Karada Districts of Baghdad.
"What they want to do is try to separate the people from the government," said Gossart, a native of Washington, D.C.
Personnel from the Belidiyah, Baghdad City Water Authority and the Iraqi security forces quickly responded to explosion and secured the scene. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers also responded.
"We found Iraqi security forces on the scene. They already had the situation well in hand. We offered some engineering advice, but they already had their engineers from the Belidiyah on site," Gossart said. "They really did have it under control.
"We offered materials; they didn't need them. While we were on the ground, their materials rolled in and they immediately began work."
Iraqi officials were quick to point out they had the situation well under control.
"We want our Belidiyah to fix it," said Mr. Ismail Ibrahim, head of the Baghdad Water Authority.
Ibrahim sent a crew of 30 engineers and workers to the scene. The Water Authority had to disrupt the flow of water into the area in order to affect repairs. The residents still had a supply of water; the Water Authority had water pumped in from Taji and other areas.
"This was a very big job," said Ibrahim. "We can handle it."
To prevent further attacks on this pipe, Baghdad authorities intend to place concrete T-walls around the area.
Ibrahim, who expects to have the damage fully repaired by Nov. 2, 2008, thanked the coalition forces for offering their support.
"But this is our country," he said." We can fix it."
| Date Taken: | 10.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2008 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 25820 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 187 |
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