DIALA / Aswat al-Iraq: A U.S. commander in Diala said on Wednesday that his forces are ready to conduct air strikes targeting Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) network strongholds east of the city of Baaquba in coordination with the Iraqi forces.“There are indications on the presence of armed groups belonging to the AQI in the areas of Hamrin, Khanaqin district, (155 km) east of Baaquba,” the commander said during a press conference he held at the local administration building in central Baaquba. “The U.S. forces are ready to start an air strike targeting these groups in association with the Iraqi forces out of commitment to the status-of-forces agreement (SOFA) signed between Iraq and the United States."
Hamrin hills are considered the most important AQI strongholds in Iraq due to their geographic nature that help gunmen hide. Baaquba, the capital city of Diala province, lies 57 km northeast of Baghdad.