U.S. and Iraqi forces have now refocused on Diyala as the Baghdad Security Plan takes shape. We've estimated that at least an additional U.S. combat brigade may be moved into Diyala to tackle al Qaeda's safe havens. The Iraqi government recently announced it was moving an additional brigade into Diyala. Until enforce forces are available and in place, the U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces are 'shaping' the battlefield by conducting clearing operations and targeted raids to keep al Qaeda off balance. This is much like the 'Anbar Campaign, where U.S. Marines conducted search and destroy operations, raids and air strikes during the spring and summer of 2005 prior to conducting Operation Rivergate in the Haditha region and Operation Steel Curtain in the Qaim region on the Syrian border. U.S. and Iraqi forces are also establishing new patrol bases, such as one established in Qubbah on March 24.

The Baqubah egion and recent operations [yellow]. Click map to view.

The Diyala Campaign is currently underway. On March 28, a joint U.S. and Iraqi Army operation targeted "an Islamic State of Iraq power base in the Diyala River Valley." The operation resulted in 25 al Qaeda killed and 15 captured, along with the discovery of a significant weapons cache, which included "more than 60 grenades, rocket-propelled munitions, improvised explosive device-making material and other terrorist equipment."

On April 2, the U.S. 73rd Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, partnered with the elements of the 5th Iraqi Army Division raided an "extremist training camp" in Zaganiyah while conducting clearing operations
in the Diyala River Valley. The camp was empty, but the raiders found "a fortified underground bunker with three exit points, four prepared fighting positions and a training camp building." Five large weapons caches were found, which contained "more than 100 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, more than five RPG launchers, approximately 70 mortar rounds, bomb-making materials, home made explosives and terrorist planning and training materials." Over 100 insurgents are believed to live in and around Zaganiyah, according to U.S. intelligence officers.

Soldiers search for insurgents and weapons in the palm groves of Qubbah, Iraq, March 25. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig. Click to view.

On March 24, soldiers from the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment conducted an air assault on the village of Qubbah, just north of Baqubah During the 3 day clearing operation, 28 insurgents were killed or captured, and eight weapons caches were discovered. The soldiers established a permanent patrol base in the Qubbah area. “There had been a lot of…reporting indicating that this had been a safe haven for al Qaeda elements,” said 1st Lt. Eric Booth, assistant intelligence officer for the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment Reconnaissance, which led the operation. “These (insurgents) were influencing operations down in Baqubah ”

Operations of this nature will continue for some time. The Diyala Campaign will not kick into full gear until the full compliment of U.S. forces are deployed into Iraq (this should be completed by late May or early June of 2007). Until then, the Iraqi government and Multinational Forces Iraq are working to lay the groundwork for local support by fostering the creation of a Diyala Salvation Front.

Map of southern Diyala. Click map to view.

Citizens in Diyala are asking the Iraqi government to fight al Qaeda and prevent the province from "turning Diyala cities [into the next] Taliban emirate," notes Al Saabah. "Citizens said that the situation in the cities of Baqubah Muqdadyia, Khalis and Bald Ruz are turning into a major humanity disaster, especially after al Qaeda issued a list of all forbidden activities including] working at governmental offices, ownership of satellite and Internet sets, as well as the destruction of mobile phone towers." [Quote paraphrased for English translation.] We have noted for some time the 'Diyala Salvation Council' will be formed shortly, and all signs point to this development. The U.S. military is ahead of the game in Diyala, and learned a valuable lesson from Marine operations in Anbar province.

The Diyala Campaign:

February 22, 2007
Outside Baghdad and the Iraq Security Plan
As the Baghdad pieces of the puzzle are being put in place, operations are underway in the provinces

March 15, 2007
The Battle of Diyala
Strykers engage in heavy urban combat in Baqubah s the Diyala front becomes very hot

April 4, 2007
The Diyala Campaign
U.S. and Iraqi forces are preparing the battlefield in Diyala province

April 17, 2007
Reinforcing Baghdad's Outer Belts
Marines, Army building Combat Outposts in the regions surrounding Baghdad

April 26, 2007
Al Qaeda in Iraq's Diyala Campaign
Terror group is striking hard at military targets prior to the onset of the Diyala Campaign

May 10, 2007
The Diyala Salvation Front
Tribal leaders in the troubled province organize against al Qaeda

May 20, 2007
Diyala on the horizon
Al Qaeda strikes in Baqubah nd along the Iranian border; 5th Division general relieved of command; the campaign looms

June 12, 2007
1920 Revolution Brigades turns on al Qaeda in Diyala
Group is aligned to the the Anbar Salvation Council; developments in the Diyala Campaign

June 18, 2007
The Battle of the Belts
”Major Operations” underway in the regions surrounding Baghdad

June 19, 2007
The Battle of Baqubah I
Major offensive in al Qaeda's so-called capital of the Islamic State of Iraq