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English: Before the opening of a newly constructed bridge over the Euphrates River in Karabilah, Iraq, Lt. Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer of the Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.-based 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, speaks with local Iraqis through an interpreter about the region�s improving security near the Iraq-Syria border, July 21, 2006. City officials from neighboring towns and cities, as well as Iraqi Security Force commanders, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a new � albeit temporary � bridge July 23, 2006. Thanks to the work of the U.S. engineers, thousands of Iraqis from Euphrates River villages near the Iraq-Syria border now have access to the cities of Husaybah and Karabilah, thanks to a new bridge recently constructed by Coalition Forces. �Now the Iraqis who live north of the Euphrates River can contribute to the economy here by obtaining necessities at the local markets and get medical care from the hospital in Husaybah,� said Marano. �The building of this bridge is a milestone in the progress of Coalition Forces.� Iraqi soldiers provided security during the month-long construction of the temporary bridge - another step in enabling the Iraqis to operate on their own, according to Marano.