{{Short description|Road in Baghdad, Iraq}} {{Redirect|Route Irish|the film|Route Irish (film){{!}}''Route Irish'' (film)}} [[File:Airport Road, Baghdad.JPG|thumb|A signboard on the road showing diversions for Al-Jihad and Amiriya]] [[Image:Baghdad - airport and green zone.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of Baghdad International Airport and the Green Zone in Baghdad, in June 2004]] thumb|Airport Road Monument The '''Baghdad Airport Road''' is a 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) stretch of highway in Baghdad, Iraq linking the Green Zone, a heavily fortified area at the centre of Baghdad, to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). It also links different parts of Baghdad to the Airport and connects neighbouring areas to each other. The region stretching around the road and the airport have emerged as an important investment destination and a new phase of city's modern expansion after Al-Mansour district.
== History == Baghdad Airport Road gained prominence following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, when it was captured by the Coalition forces. Although it was commonly referred to by the military Main Supply Route (MSR) designation ''Route Irish'', the route from the International Zone to the airport stretches over two MSRs: Route Aeros, the section leading into and out of the International Zone, and Route Irish, which stretches east from the airport, then turns south (past the junction with Route Aeros) to a junction with Highway 1 (MSR Tampa).
Because of heavy military traffic and high-profile convoys, the route from the International Zone to the airport was extremely dangerous in the years following the invasion. The many roadside bombs, suicide bombers attacking its checkpoints, drive-by shootings and random shooting from the areas on both sides of the road have led to its notoriety.<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/news/World/The-worlds-most-dangerous-road/2005/06/07/1118123840061.html Sydney Morning Herald], The World's Most Dangerous Road</ref> In late 2004 after aggressive patrolling by the 1st Cav 4/5 ADA (Alpha and Bravo Batteries),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1294/4-5-ada-helping-stranded-motorists|title=4-5 ADA Helping Stranded Motorists}}</ref> and the 1/69th Infantry during Operation Wolfhound the road became safer and more reliable.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101223123817/http://northshorejournal.org/route-irish-safer-and-more-traveled America's North Shore Journal]}}, Route Irish, Safer and More Travelled</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/03/AR2005110302600.html Washington Post], Easy Sailing Along Once-Perilous Road To Baghdad Airport</ref>
In 2008, Baghdad Airport Road underwent construction to repair and repave the road.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/rebuilding-baghdads-infamous-airport-road-223522|title=Rebuilding Baghdad's Infamous Airport Road|first=Newsweek On 11/3/08 at 8:04 PM|last=EST|date=November 3, 2008|website=Newsweek}}</ref> A beautification and redevelopment plan for the road was announced in 2010 in anticipation of the Arab Summit in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/11/14/126136.html|title=Iraq to beautify deadly 'route Irish' airport road|date=November 14, 2010|website=العربية نت}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/world/middleeast/turkey-iraq-isis-ahmet-davutoglu.html|title=Amid Mutual Suspicion, Turkish Premier Visits Iraq|first=Tim|last=Arango|date=November 20, 2014|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Falastin Street * Haifa Street * Al-Jumhuriya Street
== References== {{reflist}}
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Category:Transport in Baghdad Category:Roads in Iraq * Category:Iraq War sites in Baghdad
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