Patrolling al-Qaida’s last Baghdad stronghold

Staff sergeant Jason Redick stands outside an abandoned gym thought to have been used as a vantage point by insurgent gunmen in al-Hadar, in southern Baghdad Photograph: David Smith/Observer

A soldier from the 3rd battalion poses on a child's bicycle during a 'hearts and minds' patrol in al-Hadar Photograph: David Smith/Observer

An Iraqi child smiles after being given a new football by soldiers Photograph: David Smith/Observer

A soldier from the 3rd battalion meets Iraqi children during a 'hearts and minds' patrol Photograph: David Smith/Observer

Soldiers from the 3rd battalion keep watch during a patrol in al-Hadar Photograph: David Smith/Observer

A suspect is forced to sit facing a wall and await questioning by soldiers who had just discovered him near a secret bomb-making factory in an unfinished house in al-Hadar Photograph: David Smith/Observer

Suspects are questioned by soldiers who had just discovered them near a secret bomb-making factory in an unfinished house in al-Hadar Photograph: David Smith/Observer

A soldier from the 3rd battalion meets an Iraqi child during a 'hearts and minds' patrol Photograph: David Smith/Observer

A soldier from the 3rd battalion meets Iraqi children whilst on patrol in al-Hadar Photograph: David Smith/Observer