In the night of 6 April 2004, during the 11th Bersaglieri Regiment's service in Iraq as part of Operation Ancient Babylon, the forces of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army occupied the three main bridges in Nasiriyah. Three companies of the 11th Regiment, one squadron of the Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd), and some logistical units of the 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete" engaged in an 18-hours long firefight with the rebel forces. For retaking the three bridges the 11th Bersaglieri Regiment was decorated with a War Cross for Military Valor in 2008.