Published: September 06, 2005
Air strikes near Karabilah disable bridges
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq -- At approximately 12:35 a.m. Sept. 6 Coalition Forces conducted a limited air strike on small bridges known to be used by terrorists to move foreign fighters and equipment across the Euphrates River Valley to the larger cities of central Iraq.
The two targets were conventional bridges capable of handling light vehicle traffic and were located in the western Al Anbar province near Karabilah. The purpose of the strike was to prevent Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists from using the structure for vehicular traffic to conduct attacks in the Al Anbar province. Iraqi citizens in Western Al Anbar have experienced an increased level of violence at the hands of Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists.
The munitions used in the strike were designed to crater the bridges, rendering them inoperable but not destroying them.
USMC F/A – 18D's disabled the bridge using inert bombs filled with concrete. Initial bomb damage assessment indicates the strikes were successful.
The air strike was conducted at a time and in such a manner to reduce the chance for any collateral damage.
Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq
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