U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman. U.S. Army file photo by Spc. Jennifer E. Fulk.

As reconstruction efforts for school systems in Iraq continued, al-Qaeda extremists targeted the Huda Girls’ School in Tarmiyah twice in the past month using improvised explosive devices and building explosives into the school house.

"[It was a] sophisticated and premeditated attempt to inflict massive casualties on our most innocent victims," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman.

Recently, the al-Qaeda plan to destroy the school was disrupted when Soldiers of 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team discovered a detonating wire across the street from the school leading to five artillery shells, two large explosive-filled propane tanks and numerous projectiles embedded in and around the construction of the school house.

“It is ironic that on the same day terrorists were planning to blow up the school, Soldiers along with local leaders were making plans to deliver more school construction supplies,” said U.S. Army Maj. Robert Rodriguez, executive officer of 2nd Bn., 8th Cav. Reg., 1st BCT.

As Iraqi contractors were responsible for building the school for girls, officials intend to question those involved with the construction.

At a separate incident, terrorists attempted to disrupt a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Atwan School for boys in Baghdad by directing small-arms fire towards the school April 24.

However, the terrorists fled when Coalition forces returned fire.

“We will not be stopped by terrorists,” said Iraqi Police Col. Ra’ad Eyas Amin at the ceremony. “We will all live in peace together.”

Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops will continue to develop projects such as school systems despite al-Qaeda’s attempt to stop them, said Rodriguez.

“Together with the Iraqi people, the [Coalition made] Iraq a more secure, stable place one day at a time,” he said. “We won’t be deterred in our task to help these people, and I think that sends a powerful message to the world.”

(U.S. Army story by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined Press Information Center)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

•           Paratroopers found and destroyed 11 improvised explosive devices emplaced on roads throughout Babil province, south of Baghdad, Thursday night.

•           MND-CS Civil Military Cooperation Group visited school in Abtan village, 25 km west of Ad Diwaniyah.