Jurf al-Sakhar
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Jurf Al Nasr Arabic: جرف النصر Jurf al-Sahkar Arabic: جرف الصخر |
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Apache Company patrolling Jurf
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| Coordinates: 32°52′00″N 44°12′50″E / 32.86667°N 44.21389°ECoordinates: 32°52′00″N 44°12′50″E / 32.86667°N 44.21389°E | |
| Country | Iraq |
| Governorate | Babil |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 15,000 |
Jurf Al-Nasr (Arabic: جرف النصر) or formerly known as Jurf Al Sakhar (Arabic: جرف الصخر) until late 2014 and its reconquest by the Iraqi Government forces from the neo-Baathist-supported ISIS forces – also spelled Jurf al-Sahkar — is a small town in Iraq, located about 60 kilometers southwest of Baghdad. It is near Musayyib and approximately 80 kilometers east of Fallujah.
At the start of 2014, it had about 8,000 inhabitants, mostly Sunni Muslims from the Al-Janabi and Dulaim tribes. Ever since the nearly entire ISIS and Baathist-sympathizing Sunni Arab population of the town and surrounding countryside have been made to leave after the retaking of the town from ISIS. The former residents are now largely refugees in Fallujah, Yusofiyya and beyond. Due to its prime strategic location on the main approaches to the Shia holy city of Karbala from the rebellious Fallujah, it is doubtful that any Sunni residents will be allowed back into Jurf in the future.
At Jurf Al Sakhar was a large military complex including the Al Hakum facility, at one time Iraq's most sophisticated and largest biological weapons (BW) production factory.
During the Iraq War troop surge of 2007, Jurf Al Sakhar was one of the first towns under the "concerned citizens" program, in which the local populace was paid to secure the town via checkpoints along its roads, funded by money supplied by the U.S. military. The influx of money led to an almost instantaneous decrease in violence in the area. It is also the location of some of the most bitter fighting during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nine medals for valor were awarded to the paratroopers of Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (Geronimo), for their actions in and around the town. The unit was also awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the second highest unit award in the US Army.
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