 As part of this offensive, Operation Lightning Hammer was launched to the northeast of Baqubah.In mid-October 2006, al-Qaeda announced the creation of Islamic state of Iraq (ISI), replacing the Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) and its al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).In late 2006, al-Qaeda in Iraq forces began a quiet troop build-up in Baqubah, naming it the capital of their "Islamic State of Iraq".