Inside the surge

Marines rest while conducting a search for arms caches in the al-Hywatt area of Anbar province Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

A marine conducts a search for arms caches in the al-Hywatt area of Anbar province Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

American soldiers from a mortar team of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10 Mountain Division, return fire near Youssifiyha in the so-called 'triangle of death' Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers from Bravo company, 2nd Brigade combat team, 10 mountain division search a house after an IED exploded near a vehicle patrol Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers from Charlie company, 2nd Brigade combat team, 10 mountain division at a watch tower near in the so-called 'triangle of death' Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers with one of three men detained after an IED exploded on the road near a vehicle patrol Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers attached to the Stryker Brigade visit an Iraqi army base in a Sunni neighbourhood in west Baghdad, allegedly controlled by al-Qaida Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers give cover as others try to put out a fire on an overturned Bradley fighting vehicle hit by an IED in a Sunni neighbourhood in west Baghdad Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers search a house close to the overturned Bradley fighting vehicle hit by an IED Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

An American soldier at an Iraqi army post in west Baghdad Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

American soldiers with injured Iraqis just after an explosion outside two houses used as bomb factories in west Baghdad Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

American soldiers with an injured Iraqi just after an explosion outside two houses used as bomb factories in west Baghdad Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian