 Additionally, the brigade followed up on previous clearing operations in the Baqubah region by seizing additional areas from Al Qaeda's control.In December 2007, elements of 2–1 Cavalry, 1–38 Infantry and the 5th Iraqi Army Division executed Operation Raider Reaper in the "Iron Triangle" region northwest of Baqubah.This operation freed several villages from Al Qaeda control and allowed for the standup of Sons of Iraq groups.