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Reports From Irak June 13 2007 Summarised From Arabic Part 2 Ztigon Bridge Bombing

Thursday, 06. 14. 2007  –  Category: Analysis Briefings Commentary, News, Series

This is part 2 of a three part posting. It deals with the destruction of the Zgtion bridge and the effective partitioning of the Kirkuk region. Part 1 of this posting is here: Reports From Irak June 13 2007 Summarised From Arabic - Askariya Shrine Attack - We have also summarised some of the other major incidents of the day. Khaled

Bridge Between Kirkuk And Tikrit Blown Up

In a second major bridge attack in the region resistance fighters have blown up a vital bridge between Kirkuk and Tikrit. The explosion took place at dawn according to green zone government police in Kirkuk. The Zgiton is about 45 km south of Kirkuk. It links Kirkuk to towns within the region but more importantly was a key alternative to the Sahra bridge destroyed on June 2nd which was the main conduit for traffic between Baghdad and the northern governorates. As we reported at the time:

In a major escalation of the campaign to destroy key bridges throughout Irak bombers destroyed about half of the Sahra bridge over the the al-Adham river near Touz Kourmatu built in 1942 which connects Baghdad to Kirkuk, and Arbril and which connects also Suleiman Beck to Touz Kourmatu.

This bombing makes it much more difficult to mount operations against resistance fighters in the hills beyond. (The explosion destroyed half of the 4 by 12 metre spans. )
Major Bridge Attacks Summary:

* Two Baghdad bridges - the Sarafiyah bridge, was totally destroyed.
* A key highway overpass in the capital was also bombed.
* The Badoush bridge.
* Today’s attack on Sahra bridge.

(Primary Source: اصوات العراق - مسلحون ينسفون الجسر الرابط بين كركوك وبغداد )

Not only was The Zgiton Bridge the second alternative for highway traffic between Kirkuk and Baghdad, it is was only major link between Kirkuk and Tikrit. The region is now effectively divided in two by a bridge bombing campaign carried out since the beginning of March which has severed bridge links first between Kirkuk and the city of Mosul, the bridge bombing last saturday and now the Zgiton Bridge. ( Source: اصوات العراق - مسلحون ينسفون جسرا يربط بين كركوك وتكريت  )

Other Major Incidents June 13 2007 :

Just what we had time for not a complete list - Khaled - editor of the day:

• The 53 year old managing editor of the government sponsored newspaper “Al Sabah” was abducted by an armed group earlier today. He was kidnapped as he left his homein the al-Habibiya district in eastern Baghdad in a car accompanied by his driver and his son. Eyewitnesses have confirmed that a group of armed men forced Flaya Fleh Dway Megthab to disembark from the car at gunpoint and took him away ”to an unknown destination. ” According to Ibrahim al-Seraji head of the JFO (Journalsitic Freedom Observatory - the Iraqi association for defending journalists’ rights) greenzone government forces are cooperating with the al-Shahid al-Sadr office and the Iraqi media network in searching for the kidnappers.  (Source: اصوات العراق - مسلحون يختطفون مدير تحرير جريدة الصباح شرقي بغداد )   (Source: اصوات العراق - مرصد الحريات يطالب بتحقيق فورى فى حادث اختطاف مدير تحرير الصباح
• Five civilians were killed and 3 others kidnapped in separate incidents in Salah Al Din Governorate. Source: اصوات العراق - استمرار حظر التجوال في سامراء.. وجرح خمسة مدنيين وخطف ثلاثة
• A force of more than two thousand Peshmargas (Kurdish fighters -ed)  is to be sent to the province of Diyala, at the request of the Americans who are still trying unsuccessfully to subjugate Irak and the green zone government. They are needed to help contain the escalation of resistance activity witnessed during those areas recently. Source: اصوات العراق - متحدث: إرسال ألفي عنصر من البيشمركة إلى ديالى
•  A suicide bomber gained access to the headquarters of the police in the southern border town of Mandali (nearest city is Baqubah - mfi) he detonated his payload causing the death of three police including an officer with the rank of brigadier general  he wounded five others, mostly police. Source: اصوات العراق - مقتل وإصابة ثمانية بتفجير مقر للشرطة جنوب بعقوبة
• An explosion near Baquba Diyala killed one civilian and wounded eight others. A bomb on a truck carrying chlorine gas near a green zone government army base  near Khan Bani Saad south of Baquba it is not known whether the bombing was a suicide bombing or by remote control. Source: اصوات العراق - مقتل مدني وإصابة ثمانية بإنفجار سيارة محملة بالكلور قرب بعقوبة
• Gunmen rampaged through stormed the presidency of the University of Diyala, disarmed the guards and stole their weapons and then drove away 22 cars belonging to the university. (Source: اصوات العراق - مسلحون يقتحمون رئاسة جامعة ديالى ويسطون على 22 سيارة )
• A policeman was injured in clashes with smugglers in Basrah Greenzone government Coast Guard and police commandos clashed with smugglers on the Shatt 5km east of the city. One police officer was wounded. 4 boats loaded with contraband including automobiles were seized

Source: اصوات العراق - اصابة شرطي خلال مواجهات مع مهربين في البصرة

Tags: Baghdad, Baqubah, Basrah, Bombings, Briefings, Disputed Areas, Diwaniyah, Diyala, Follow Up, Joint Postings, Journalists Attacked, Kirkuk, Kirkuk (At-Ta'mim) Governorate, Salah ad Din (Governorate), Samarra, Tikrit