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English: U.S. soldiers from the 74th Engineer Multi-Role Bridge Company clear large chunks of debris from an old bridge in the Euphrates River city of Karabilah, Iraq, 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 Lt. Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. �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.