Iraqi National Police have installed concrete barriers around a large market in Sadr City in Baghdad that has been targeted by car bomb attacks, military officials say.

Under the “Safe Markets” project, 450 barriers were placed around the market, turning it into an open bazaar for pedestrians, according to a press release issued by Multi-National Corps—Iraq.

The National Police had full control of the project, and the three-week installation was supervised by Brig. Gen. Ali Daboun, commander of the 8th Iraqi National Police Brigade.

Capt. Taylor Presley, a police transition team adviser, said the project will make shoppers feel safer against the threat of car bomb attacks — the market was targeted by several last year — and prevent accidents caused by vehicles trying to move through the crowds.

“This was done because shopkeepers wanted safety for their customers,” Presley said.

Checkpoints surrounding Sadr City, manned by the Iraqi National Police, have helped reduce the car bomb threat over the last four months, the release said.

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