On Way to Baghdad Airport, Death Stalks Main Road
Iraqis call it Death Street. To American soldiers, it is “I.E.D. Alley,” after the improvised explosive devices – bombs – that are lethally common on the 10 miles of expressway and city streets that make up Baghdad’s airport road. Suicide bombers in cars packed with explosives lurk at on-ramps, waiting for American convoys or other targets. Insurgents in cars with darkened windows mingle in traffic, then lower windows for bursts of machine-gun fire. Disguised as members of a road crew, they bury daisy-chained artillery shells beneath the roadway, then trigger them with garage-door openers and cellphones. Full Story