Though the initial war lasted for only 21 days, the coalition soon found themselves fighting insurgent forces. Upon completion of the initial conflict the coalition troops began counterinsurgency, humanitarian, security and various other types of operations in order to stabilize the country.
Battle: During the fighting 18 marines and 11 soldiers were killed and about 50 were wounded, while the Iraqi resistance was neutralized fairly rapidly thereafter.
Security: Forced the Iraqi Army to maintain approximately six divisions in the area to protect its northern flank, providing strategic relief for Coalition Forces advancing on Baghdad. Also may have been associated with the name "Operation Option North" whose objective was to seize the city of Kirkuk, the northern oil fields and several military airfields in the area.
Security: Was designed to collect dangerous ordnance and transport it out of the city where it can be safely handled or destroyed
Operation Tyr
July 2003
July 2003
Tikrit
Security: Destroyed a series of stationary targets without risk of civilian casualties but with high visibility. Was an assault conducted by the 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit, primarily as a show of force to deter terrorist and anti-coalition forces. The 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment destroyed a series of stationary targets without risk of civilian casualties but with high visibility. Troops also destroyed Iraqi tanks using high explosive munitions. No one was reported injured in the operation.
Operation Ivy Serpent
12 July 2003
21 July 2003
a region along Highway 1 between the cities of Bayji, Huwayiah and Samarra
Counterinsurgency: Was a preemptive strike focused aggressively on non-compliant forces and former regime leaders who are planning attacks against coalition forces in an attempt to hinder coalition and Iraqi efforts in building a new Iraq. Was an American anti-insurgent sweep in Sallahadin and Diala provinces. It was conducted concurrently with Operation Soda Mountain. The operation was centered on a section of Highway 1 north of Baghdad near the towns of Bayji, Huwayiah, and Samarra. The American action was based on the Fourth Infantry Division whose insignia is ivy. This is a play on the Roman numeral "IV".
Operation Soda Mountain
12 July 2003
17 July 2003
throughout Iraq
Counterinsurgency: To increase reconnaissance and presence throughout the whole of Iraq to deter, disrupt and rapidly defeat attacks on coalition forces. Was a nationwide sweep by American and Coalition Forces against insurgents and remnants of the former regime conducted from 12 to 17 June 2003. As a result of this series of almost 150 raids, 62 Ba'athist leaders were captured and a large number of weapons seized. Simultaneously, humanitarian missions such as repairing and rebuilding public buildings were conducted. Conducted roughly concurrently with Operation Ivy Serpent.
Operation White House
16 July 2003
16 July 2003
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Troops of the 101st Airborne Division stormed the residence of Samir Abd Al-Aziz Al-Najim, the central Baath Party chairman for Baghdad
Operation Tapeworm
22 July 2003
22 July 2003
Mosul
Security and counterinsurgency: killing of Uday and Qusay Hussein, Saddam Hussein's sons[3]
Operation Ivy Lightning
12 August 2003
12 August 2003
Baghdad, Ain Lalin and Quara Tapa along the Jabal Hamrin Ridge north of the city
Counterinsurgency: A number of small weapons stores were uncovered. Was a raid conducted by elements of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. A number of small weapons stores were uncovered. The names of many operations of the 4th Infantry Division took the name "Ivy", a pun on the Roman numeral "IV."
Khalis, in and near; 70 kilometers north of Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Was a raid conducted by elements of the 4th Infantry Division in and near Khalis, seventy kilometers north of Baghdad, on 26 August 2003. The operation disrupted a criminal gang active in the area.
Operation Longstreet
September 2003
September 2003
between Baghdad and Fallujah
Counterinsurgency: Numerous weapons stores were destroyed and enemy personnel taken into custody without the loss of a single American life. Was a two-week series of raids and cordon operations conducted by elements of the First Armored Division and the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, as well as 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (United States). Numerous weapons stores were destroyed and enemy personnel taken into custody without the loss of a single American life. The operation was named after a Confederate General James Longstreet.
Security and Counterinsurgency: : Was a border security operation conducted by the "Tiger" Squadron of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment announced on 7 September 2003, near Al Qa'im. The town was cordoned off and searched, yielding a number of small arms and fourteen persons suspected of being insurgents.
Operation Sweeny
15 October 2003
15 October 2003
southern Iraq
Law enforcement: Anti-smuggling operation by the Marines. Elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable(SOC)completed humanitarian assistance, anti-smuggling and security and stabilization operations, 25 October in southern Iraq as part of Operation Sweeney. The MEU SOC, a component of Expeditionary Strike Group One(ESG), composed mostly of Marines stationed with the 1st Marine Division of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, provided medical and dental capability and produced more than 3,000 US gallons (11,000 L) of water for citizens in the region.
Operation O.K. Corral
19 October 2003
October 2003
Ar Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: Was a sweep operation conducted by elements of the 82nd Airborne Division in Ar Ramadi beginning on 19 October 2003. Over ninety people were detained, including four senior officers of the former Iraqi Army.
Operation Abalone
31 October 2003
31 October 2003
Ramadi
Members of A Squadron 22 SAS, assaulted three compounds/dwellings on the outskirts of Ramadi where US intelligence had tracked a Sudanese jihadist who was facilitating Islamist militants into Iraq. The SAS were supported by Delta Force and a platoon of US Bradley IFV's.[4]
Operation Eagle Curtain
November 2003
November 2003
northern Iraq
Security and Counterinsurgency: Troops participated in 311 patrols, four cordon and knock operations, and eventually detained eight individuals. Was a series of raids and roadblocks conducted by the 101st Airborne Division. Eight persons were detained as suspected insurgents associated with the former government. The name is derived from the "Screaming Eagles" nickname for the 101st Airborne Division.
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to locate and detain or eliminate persons seeking to harm coalition forces or Iraqi civilians. The operation was executed by the 4th Infantry Division. On 7 November, an American helicopter was forced down near the city, and the next day heavy air and artillery strikes supported a number of military operations in the area.
Operation Boothill
10 November 2003
10 November 2003
Ar Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to clear and secure the roads outside the city and to seize any contrabandweapons.
Security and Counterinsurgency: Was a joint operation between the US Army, US Air Force and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps with the objective of preventing the staging of weapons by anti-coalition forces, and preemptively destroy enemy operating bases and fighters in Baghdad
Security: Was a house-to-house search of the Iraqi Syria-frontier border region close to Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, led by the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. Involved troops from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division. (US News, 12 August 2003, Iraq Hack: A Reporter's Blog, 11 December 2003)
Operation Rifle Sweep
26 November 2003
26 November 2003
along the Iraq-Syria border
Counterinsurgency: Focused on the search and seizure of weapons and munitions
Operation Bayonet Lightning
2 December 2003
2 December 2003
Al Hawija and the village of Rashad, 60 km (37 mi) to the south of Kirkuk
Counterinsurgency: Designed to capture weapons, materials, and people that posed a threat against Coalition Forces. 1,200 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 4th Infantry Division, and Iraqi military participated. They located and confiscated sixty-two AK-47 assault rifles, two hundred rounds of AK-47 ammunition, one rocket propelled grenade launcher and two improvised explosive device-making kits. Twenty six individuals were captured, including three targeted individuals, Saad Mohammed ad-Douri, the private secretary of Izzat Ibrahim ad-Douri, and Hamid Saad, a senior official of the Ba'ath Party.
Operation Bulldog Mammoth
4 December 2003
4 December 2003
Baghdad, northwest of
Security: A brigade-sized cordon and search of an Abu Ghurayb apartment complex. The operation lasted about five-and-a-half hours and involved approximately 1,450 soldiers. It was led by the US Army's 1st Armored Div., 3rd Brigade Combat Team and was supported by the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, more than 300 Iraqi Civil Defense Corps personnel and an Estonian army platoon. The cordon and search went through 2,400 apartments, 53 additional buildings and seized hundreds of rifles and other weapons. The soldiers detained 40 personnel, including three on a by-name "black" list of suspects who were caught in the outer cordon while trying to escape the area.
Counterinsurgency: Was a search and seizure operation utilizing vehicle check points
Operation Abilene
8 December 2003
8 December 2003
Al Anbar province
Counterinsurgency: Soldiers initiated 12 raids that resulted in the capture of 12 individuals and a number of various weapons. Was conducted by the US Army's 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade. The operation consisted of twelve raids to capture or eliminate individuals responsible for attacking coalition forces. The operation was successful and resulted in the capture of 12 personnel and the confiscation of various weapons.
Operation Panther Squeeze
10 December 2003
10 December 2003
Latifiya
Counterinsurgency: Was a series of 18 night-time raids by elements of the 82nd Airborne Division. These raids seem to have been in response to an ambush that killed seven Spanish intelligence officers in November.[6] About forty enemy personnel were captured.
Counterinsurgency: Seven targets classified as high-value were captured by the 4th Infantry Division and the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in the Sunni Triangle.[8]
Counterinsurgency: Counterinsurgency sweep by US forces. Launched just days after the capture of Saddam Hussein, which led some to believe that information that led to the operation may have come from Saddam.[10]
Counterinsurgency: Seizure of weapons caches including 204 RPGs. Was a coalition strike at insurgent training camps in the Rawah area. Led by the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment along with soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division and 4th Infantry Division. The operation was nicknamed by the soldiers involved as Operation Santa's Claws.[12]
Operation Devil Siphon
23 December 2003
23 December 2003
Ar Ramadi
Law enforcement: Was aimed at curtailing the growing black market of fuel and propane and restoring Iraq's fuel infrastructure. Like Operation Rifles Fury, this operation was a coalition strike aimed at ending Black Market fuel and propane operations run by insurgent marketeers. The operation involved the U.S. 1st Infantry Division and Iraqi Police.[13]
Operation Overcoat
23 December 2003
23 December 2003
Mosul
Humanitarian: Delivered more than 500 pounds of coats, clothes, shoes, and toys
Operation Salm
23 December 2003
23 December 2003
Fallujah
Operation Salm was designed to give a higher profile to coalition forces in Fallujah and more exposure to residents. The second objective was to paralyze anti-coalition forces by flooding the streets with soldiers and checkpoints. This operation took place on 23 December 2003, and lasted from 5:30 am to 3:00 pm. Members of the 10th Mountain Division and 82nd Airborne Division participated and reported they detained 12 enemy personnel.
Operation Santa Strike
23 December 2003
23 December 2003
Mosul
Humanitarian: Delivered more than 500 pounds of coats, clothes, shoes, and toys
Operation Iron Force
24 December 2003
2003
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: The objective was to capture or eliminate any rebel forces seeking to capitalize on the holiday season to attack coalition forces
Operation Iron Grip
24 December 2003
31 December 2003, at least
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to intensify the pressure on Saddam loyalists
Operation Choke Hold
30 December 2003
30 December 2003
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: To stop the influx of bomb making materials into the city
During the early occupation, a number of widely cited humanitarian, tactical, and political errors by coalition planners, particularly the United States and United Kingdom led to a growing armed resistance, usually called the "Iraqi insurgency" (referred to by the mainstream media and coalition governments). The anti-occupation/anti-coalition forces are believed to be predominantly, but not exclusively, Iraqi Sunni Muslim Arabs, plus some foreign Arab and Muslim fighters, some of the latter tied to al-Qaeda. Several minor coalition members have pulled out of Iraq; this has been widely considered a political success for the anti-occupation forces.
Despite this, there was a reduction in violence throughout Iraq in the start of 2004 due to reorganization within the insurgent forces. During this time the tactics used by coalition forces were studied and the insurgency began to plan a new strategy. The calm did not last long however and once the insurgency had regained its footing attacks resumed and increased. Throughout the remainder of 2004 and continuing into the present day, the insurgency has employed bombings as their primary means of combating the coalition forces. This has led to hundreds of Iraqi civilians and police killed in addition to the coalition forces they were fighting. Many were killed in a series of massive bombings at mosques and shrines throughout Iraq. The bombings indicated that as the relevance of Saddam Hussein and his followers was diminishing, radical Islamists, both foreign and Iraqi was increasing to take their place. An organized Sunni insurgency, with deep roots and both nationalist and Islamist motivations, was becoming clear. The Mahdi Army also began launching attacks on coalition targets and to seize control from the Iraqi security forces. The southern and central portions of Iraq began to erupt in urban guerilla combat as coalition forces attempted to keep control and prepared for a counteroffensive.
In response to insurgent attacks, coalition forces focused on hunting down the remaining leaders of the former regime, culminating in the shooting deaths of Saddam's two sons in July. In all, over 200 top leaders of the former regime were killed or captured, as well as supports and military personnel during the summer of 2004.
Battle/Operation name
From date
To date
Location
Purpose/Result
Operation Gimlet Victory
2004
2004
Operation Hickory View
2004
2004
Counterinsurgency and Security: Helped eliminate many of the established indirect fire patterns, which insurgents had used in the past
Operation I CAN
2004
2004
throughout Iraq
Humanitarian: Soldiers distributed over 100 boxes of donated school supplies and toys to Iraqi children.
Operation Iron Fury II
2004
2004
Sadr City
Counterinsurgency: Continued missions to drive the Mahdi Army out of the city.
Operation Lancer Lightning
2004
2004
Operation Windy City
2004
2004
Baghdad
Humanitarian: Gave blankets to distribute to the local population.
Security: Provide security for the Ba’qubah gas station, help manage the lines in order to facilitate maximum efficiency of the station, and prevent unauthorized gas pilferage.
Operation Rock Slide
15 January 2004
15 January 2004
the Al-Anbar province
Counterinsurgency: Captured a high-ranking former Iraqi officer named Brig. Gen. Kalil Ibraham Fayal al-Dulaymi.
Operation Wolfhound Trap II
21 January 2004
23 January 2004
Heychel
Counterinsurgency:
Operation Wolfhound Fury II
22 January 2004
22 January 2004
Heychel and its surrounding villages
Counterinsurgency: Hunted down suspected terrorists and provided humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people.
Operation Wolverine Feast
24 January 2004
24 January 2004
the Al-Doura district
Counterinsurgency: Coalition and Iraqi Army soldiers detained 10 suspected insurgents and seized four supply caches.
Operation Final Cut
28 January 2004
February 2004
Bayji
Counterinsurgency: Was intended to capture or eliminate people suspected of insurgent activity.
Operation Aston
February 2004
February 2004
Baghdad
Members of B Squadron 22 SAS, assaulted a house in southern Baghdad that MI6 intelligence showed was part of a 'jihadist pipeline' from Iran to Iraq that American and British intelligence agencies were tracking suspects on and these suspects fell in with a jihadist group. Two jihadists were killed and two more captured.
Operation Saber Turner II
February 2004
February 2004
Counterinsurgency:
Operation Tomahawk (Iraq)
February 2004
February 2004
Operation Trailblazer
9 February 2004
2004
Baqubah
Security: An effort to make Iraqi roads safer for fellow soldiers. The beginning of this operation was conducted by the 14th Engineer Battalion (C)(W) and the 244th Engineers out of Colorado. This Operation was taken over by the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion (C)(W), a North Dakota National Guard unit. Their mission was to patrol a section of Iraq's main highways and alternate routes locating and clearing bombs. The secondary goal of this mission was route sanitation which included knocking down trees in the medians of the roads and clearing brush from the sides of the road where the enemy could easily hide a bomb. In January 2005, the 141st Engineers were replaced by the 467th Engineer Battalion (C)(W), a USAR unit from Tennessee. The 14th Engineer Battalion returned to Iraq and relieved the 467th Engineers of the Trailblazer mission in December 2005. Alpha Company, 164th Engineers from North Dakota took over operations from the 467th Engineers in the LSA Anaconda/Balad area around the same time. In October 2006, the 14th Engineers were replaced by the 1st Engineer Battalion.
Counterinsurgency: Targeted individuals who were suspected of attacking forward operating bases in the area. 16 targets and 3 enemy personnel were detained.
Operation Devil Clinch
21 February 2004
21 February 2004
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: A series of raids meant to capture suspected insurgents.
Operation Rocketman
26 February 2004
26 February 2004
the town of Siniyah
Counterinsurgency: Three suspected insurgents believed to be responsible for attacks on coalition forces were arrested.
Counterinsurgency: Elements of the 25th Infantry Division surrounded an area in late March 2004 and sent patrols to conduct searches for weapons. Soldiers knocked on doors to ask permission to search home, signalling a change from earlier more-aggressive techniques. The name of the operation is a traditional Hawaiian greeting. The 25th Infantry Division has long been based in that state.
Operation Centaur Rodeo
March 2004
March 2004
Baqubah
Law enforcement and Counterinsurgency: Designed to slow the smuggling of illegal weapons in Baqubah's Diyala Governorate capital. As of 30 March 2004 coalition forces had seized 3 people and several weapons.[14]
Operation Devil Thrust
March 2004
March 2004
Surveillance, reconnaissance and Counterinsurgency: The operation consists of three phases. The first phase was surveillance and reconnaissance, the 2nd was combat operations and the 3rd was stabiliztion of the region.
Operation Soccer Ball
March 2004
March 2004
Baghdad, Karadah district
Humanitarian: Gave away 150 soccer balls to local children.
Operation Warrior
3 March 2004
3 March 2004
Security and Counterinsurgency: Was a cordon and search operation conducted by coalition forces designed to capture Farhan and Sofi Sinjar, Abu Akmed, and Abu Farka.[15]
Counterinsurgency: Seven wanted individuals were found and detained during a sweep of more than 700 houses. See Also Operation Iron Promise.
Operation Suicide Kings
17 March 2004
17 March 2004
Baghdad
Security: A combined cordon and search operation involving U.S. and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Soldiers.
Operation Iron Promise
18 March 2004
November 2004
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Part of a campaign to bring stabilization and security to the country and people of Iraq. Was a long-running series of patrols conducted by elements of the 1st Armored and 1st Cavalry Divisions. The operation continued until at least November 2004 when it was still being mentioned in newspaper reports. The name is derived from the "Old Ironsides" nickname of the 1st Armored Division.
Operation Duke Fortitude
April 2004
April 2004
Fallujah
Counterinsurgency: The operation was designed to disrupt or destroy elements of the Mahdi army and Muqtada Al-Sadr insurgencies.
Battle: An estimated 250 rebels were killed in fighting that shattered the insurgent offensive
Operation Resolute Sword
8 April 2004
8 April 2004
Counterinsurgency: Was a military operation taken by the United States' armed forces to capture Muqtada al-Sadr. (10 April President's Radio Address Mention)
Security: was designed establish and occupy FOB Duke
Operation Ripper Sweep
12 April 2004
April 2004
Fallujah
Security and counterinsurgency: The operation aimed at securing roads into and out of the city. Was a United States Marine Corps operation that took place as Operation Vigilant Resolve raged in Fallujah. The operation aimed at securing roads into and out of Fallujah and was led by the 7th Marine Regiment. The Marines swept west to east from Al Asad and seized a large number of bombs.
Battle: Five Marines were killed along with 150 insurgents in the fierce battle that lasted 14 hours. Another 9 marines were wounded and 20 insurgents captured.
Operation Yellow Stone
23 April 2004
23 April 2004
Al-Rashida, the former presidential island retreat
Counterinsurgency: To secure the area and remove the enemy from the island
Counterinsurgency: Designed to take control of a stretch of road known as the Blue Babe Highway and included the U.S. 3rd Brigade Combat Teams. The area was also known as "RPG Alley" for the large number of roadside bombings and insurgent attacks that occurred there.[16]
Operation Thunderstruck
May 2004
May 2004
Operation Striker Hurricane
1 May 2004
1 May 2004
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: To round up insurgents and other anti-coalition parties
Operation Wolfpack Crunch
4 May 2004
4 May 2004
Diwaniya
Counterinsurgency: The mission’s target was a series of buildings, located near an old downtown theater, which were reportedly being used by members of the "Muqtada’s Militia" to plan and stage attacks against Coalition forces
Counterinsurgency: To rid the Rashid District of terrorists and criminals and to protect the population
Operation Student to Student
10 May 2004
10 May 2004
Al-Baruddi
Humanitarian and Peacekeeping: Gave the soldiers and the local populace an opportunity to establish the relationships that are so critical to the building of a sovereign Iraq
Operation Disarm
19 May 2004
19 May 2004
Baghdad
Peacekeeping: The program used funds earmarked for tips leading to the capture of insurgents or illegal weapons and offers up to $500 per weapon, depending on type. Included in the final tally were more than 80 AK-47 rifles, mortars, mines and grenades.
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to seize weapons and munitions to prevent them from being used against coalition forces
Operation Slim Shady
June 2004
June 2004
Kirkuk
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to cripple the resources of Muqtada al-Sadr's militia. The 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division of the United States Military launched the operation, which was designed to cripple the resources of the then powerful rebel forces of Muqtada al-Sadr. The operation began in the first week of June 2004. Six individuals were captured, five of which were cell leaders in the Mahdi army. One of the insurgents captured was As'ad Abu Aws. As'ad Abu Aws was the second in command of the militia's Kirkuck operations. The name of the operation was taken from popular rapper Eminem's (real name Marshall Mathers) fictional alter-ego Slim Shady. Press Release
Operation Striker Tornado
June 2004
June 2004
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to allow the 1st Armored Division to execute near-simultaneous raids on specified targets wanted for anti-coalition activities
Operation Rocketman III
8 June 2004
8 June 2004
Counterinsurgency: Designed to search and secure enemy personnel as well as those suspected of harboring insurgents and weapons.
Support and counterinsurgency: Was designed to provide relief in place of the 2nd Armored Cavalry and to provide logistical support for Task Force Danger and continue to sustain combat operations.
Operation Gimlet Crusader
24 June 2004
24 June 2004
Kirkuk
Counterinsurgency: Was aimed at disrupting insurgents and their attacks on multinational forces
Operation Gimlet Silent Sniper
July 2004
July 2004
Kirkuk
Counterinsurgency: Engaged in multiple searches and raids looking to capture or kill cell leaders
Operation Haifa Street
July 2004
July 2004
Baghdad
Law Enforcement: Was specifically designed as a large raid focused on criminals and criminal activity in Baghdad
Operation Oasis
July 2004
July 2004
Baghdad
Humanitarian: The overall project to improve electricity, sewers, water and other essential services around the city.
Operation Outlaw Destroyer
July 2004
July 2004
Tikrit
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to prevent insurgents from gaining weapons and munitions from known ammunition storage points
Operation Mutual Security
2 July 2004
2 July 2004
Mosul
Counterinsurgency: Was designed as a sweeping house-to-house search for weapons and terrorists to be conducted by only Iraqi forces
Operation Tombstone Piledriver
15 July 2004
15 July 2004
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: The operation netted six individuals who were detained for questioning.
Battle: Was a siege fought between UK forces, and the Islamist Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr. An estimated 200+ insurgents were killed.
Operation Cajun Mousetrap II
5 August 2004
August 2004
Samarra
Counterinsurgency: Some small arms were found and at least three rebels were killed while nine people were detained and transferred for further questioning.
Operation Cajun Mousetrap III
13 August 2004
15 August 2004
Samarra
Counterinsurgency: Troops utilized targeted raids against enemy personnel who were destabilizing the city and an estimated 45 insurgents were killed.
Operation Iron Fury
17 August 2004
2004
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: An "all-out effort" to stop violence in the Baghdad area by militia headed up by Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr
Operation Showdown
18 August 2004
18 August 2004
Ar Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: To search for weapons caches and terrorists
Operation Wolverine
19 August 2004
19 August 2004
Ad Duluiyah
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to prevent organized insurgent force activities as well as deny AIF sanctuary
Operation Grizzly Forced Entry
21 August 2004
21 August 2004
Najaf
Counterinsurgency: Was designed as a search and seizure operation of high-value targets suspected of attacking coalition forces
Operation Clean Sweep
23 August 2004
24 August 2004
Baghdad, southern portion
Counterinsurgency: Raided 350 houses and detained 49 suspects
Operation True Grit
23 August 2004
24 August 2004
Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: During the operation, Multi-National Forces and SSF searched several houses and 17 insurgents were detained, four of which were found setting up an ambush on top of one of the houses
Operation Hurricane
September 2004
September 2004
Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: Resulted in the detention of four suspected insurgents, the removal of 6 bombs and the confiscation of bomb making materials, including cell phone parts
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to re-establish peace and stability by denying sanctuary to insurgents, capturing enemy personnel, and seize any weapons caches
Operation Centaur Strike II
11 October 2004
11 October 2004
Baqubah
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to seize insurgent equipment caches in hopes of disrupting terrorist activity before the Ramadan.
Operation Centaur Strike III
13 October 2004
13 October 2004
Baqubah
Counterinsurgency: Was designed to seize insurgent equipment caches in hopes of disrupting terrorist activity before the Ramadan.
Battle: Was a battle fought during the Iraq War in 2004 for the capital of the Ninawa Governorate in northern Iraq that occurred concurrently to fighting in Fallujah.
Operation Wolfhound Power
11 November 2004
12 November 2004
Hawja
Counterinsurgency: To root insurgents out of the city
Coalition and Iraqi government forces continue to battle Iraqi militants and other fighters. During early and mid-May 2005, the U.S. also launched Operation Matador, an assault by around 1,000 Marines in the ungoverned region of western Iraq. Coalition and Iraqi soldiers, Iraqi fighters and civilians have been killed in these conflicts. As of late July 2007, nearly 3,700 U.S. soldiers have been killed, and around ten times this many have been wounded. The number of Iraqi citizens who have fallen victim to the fighting has risen. The Iraqi government, with some holdovers from the CPA, engaged in securing control of the oil infrastructure (a source of Iraq's foreign currency) and control of the major cities of Iraq. The insurgency, the developing the New Iraqi Army, disorganized police and security forces, as well as a lack of revenue have hampered efforts to assert control. In addition, former Baathist elements and militant Shia groups have engaged in sabotage, terrorism, open rebellion, and establishing their own security zones in all or part of a dozen cities. The Allawi government vowed to crush the insurgency.
An election for a government to draft a permanent constitution took place during this time (ed. see Politics of Iraq for more information on the political state of Iraq). Although some violence and lack of widespread Sunni participation marred the event, much of the eligible Kurd and Shia populace participated. Sectarian violence has also been prominent part of the militant and guerrilla activity. Targets here where often Shia gatherings or civilian concentrations mainly of Shias. As a result, over 700 Iraqi civilians died in the month.
Battle/operation name
From date
To date
Location
Purpose/result
Operation Attleboro(Iraq)
2005
2005
Humanitarian: Delivered a variety of much-needed supplies and equipment to the Iraqi Police of Ash Sharqat
Military intelligence acquired over 400 Iraqi rockets and warheads containing chemical agents in secret to keep them from falling into the hands of enemy combatants
Operation Dunlap
2005
2005
Operation East Lansing
2005
2005
Operation Hudson
2005
????????
Operation Moon
2005
2005
Operation Moving Forward
2005
2005
Operation Neighborhood Watch
2005
2005
Operation Spider Web
2005
2005
Operation Vacant City
2005
2005
Operation River Walk
2 January 2005
3 January 2005
Latifiyah
Counterinsurgency: Found over 9 significant weapons caches, detained 43 suspected insurgents and discovered and destroyed several bombs
Operation Lanthonid
9 January 2005
January 2005
Baqubah, near
Counterinsurgency: Nine targeted AIF members were detained along with two other suspected AIF members and numerous weapons
Counterinsurgency: During the series of raids, 11 were detained. Three of the detainees were on the target list. Also confiscated were 120 mm mortars and assorted ammunition
Counterinsurgency: Discovered numerous caches of insurgent ordnance and weaponry
Operation Copperas Cove
12 January 2005
12 January 2005
Al-Karkh, the neighborhoods of Karkh and Sheik Marruf
Counterinsurgency: Raided a mechanic’s shop suspected of being used by insurgents and found 35 mortars which had to be removed by hand
Operation Keystone Sweep
14 January 2005
14 January 2005
As Siniyah
Counterinsurgency: To conduct raids, capture or kill insurgents and eliminate bombs and other illegal weapons
Operation Clean Sweep
18 November 2005
18 November 2005
Al Buetha, 15 km South of Baghdad along the Tigris River
Counterinsurgency: "Clean out an area that was known to be used as a way for insurgents to come towards Baghdad from the south as well as an area that a lot of VBIEDs and IEDs were coming from," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Everett Knapp, commander of the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment.
In anticipation of the, 15 December nationwide elections, U.S. soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, as well as Iraqi forces from the 4th Public Order Brigade and 1st Commando Brigade, raided about 350 homes and detained 49 suspected terrorists. Military officials said ten of the suspects were forwarded to detention facilities.
Counterinsurgency: Searched for unregistered weapons and illegal bomb-making materials
Operation River Blitz
20 February 2005
20 February 2005
Al Anbar Governorate
Counterinsurgency: Targeted insurgents in cities along the Euphrates River including Hit, Ramadi, and Baghdad
Operation River Bridge
12 March 2005
25 March 2005
Hit–Haditha Corridor
Counterinsurgency, follow on to Operation River Blitz
Operation Lightning (Al Barkh)
26 February 2005
25 June 2005
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Shifting the new government from a defensive to an offensive posture in its efforts to disrupt terrorist activities in Baghdad
Operation Unforgiven
22 March 2005
24 March 2005
Albu Hatim
Counterinsurgency: The operation uncovered five weapons caches including more than 7,000 rounds of ammunition, an improvised explosive device factory and 39 members of anti-Iraqi forces
Operation Swashbuckle
26 March 2005
26 March 2005
Ar Ramadi
Humanitarian: The four-man comedy show, presented by Hack and Slash, provided an explosive round of entertainment for more than 100 marines
Security and Counterinsurgency: ISF and United States Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, together with supporting mechanized elements from Regimental Combat Team-8, moved to secure Saqlawiyah and establish a base of operations there. ISF personnel and Marines from Company A, conducted security and stability operations to root out insurgent activity and illegal weapons caches. The troops also worked with civil affairs Marines to help rebuild the community, determining what facilities, such as water pumps and power stations, needed to be replaced or restored.
Operation Scrimmage
14 April 2005
16 April 2005
Kubaysa, Al Anbar Governorate
Unofficial name for a sub-part of operation Outerbanks
an SBS sniper team from M squadron killed 3 insurgents.
Operation Quicksweep
May 2005
May 2005
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Resulted in the capture of several individuals identified as insurgents and the discovery of a weapons stash totaling 3,000 pounds of large caliber explosive munitions in a rural area northwest of Baghdad.
Counterinsurgency: It was a success because the operation was conducted safely, insurgents were detained, and the relationship with the local populace improved
Counterinsurgency: It was focused on eliminating insurgents and foreign fighters in a region known as a smuggling route and a sanctuary for foreign fighters
Counterinsurgency: More than 40 individual males were interrogated about insurgent activities
Operation San Juan
31 May 2005
4 June 2005
Security and Humanitarian: A five-day operation repairing Alternate Supply Route San Juan, making it safer for convoys and local civilians traveling the road on a daily basis
Counterinsurgency: Marines located over 50 hidden weapons caches and an underground bunker in the vicinity of a rock quarry.
Operation Uhaser
June 2005
6 June 2005
throughout Northern Babil Governorate, south of Baghdad
Security and Counterinsurgency: They conducted continuous patrols, vehicle checkpoints, raids, and searches
Operation Woodstock
June 2005
6 June 2005
throughout Northern Babil Governorate, south of Baghdad
Security and Counterinsurgency: They conducted continuous patrols, vehicle checkpoints, raids, and searches
Operation Spear (Romhe)
11 June 2005
22 June 2005
Karabilah
Counterinsurgency: Aimed at rooting out terrorists, foreign fighters and disrupting terrorist support systems in and around Karabilah
Operation White Shield
13 June 2005
14 June 2005
northern Babil Governorate
Counterinsurgency: Discovered a weapons cache and detained seven terror suspects
Operation Dagger(Khanjar)
18 June 2005
18 June 2005
Al Anbar Governorate
Counterinsurgency: The mission, which was to locate hidden weapons caches and enemy sanctuaries, was a failure. It was conducted by the Regimental Combat Team-8, 2nd Marine Division.
Operation Strategic Separation (al Azil al Sitrateegi)
Counterinsurgency: Two hundred and nineteen suspected insurgents were detained
Operation Sword (Saif)
27 June 2005
5 July 2005
The city of Hit
Counterinsurgency: To occupy the city of Hit and establish a permanent presence there by coalition and Iraqi forces.
Operation Shadyville
29 June 2005
29 June 2005
Saqlawiyah
Counterinsurgency: Searched 244 houses and netted several suspected insurgent supporters, two bombs, and 50 AK-47 assault rifles
Operation Hunter (Sayaid)
July 2005
July 2005
along the Euphrates River Valley and the broder of Syria
Counterinsurgency: Aimed at denying Al Qaeda in Iraq the ability to operate in the Euphrates River Valley and at preventing the terrorists from continuing their campaign of murder and intimidation against the local population
Operation Seahorse
July 2005
August 2005
Counterinsurgency: British-led Multi-National Division Southeast with a mission to detect and deter illicit activity along the Iraqi border
Operation Sergeant Thea'a
July 2005
July 2005
Baqubah
Counterinsurgency: Was to capture, or kill, terrorists in the city
Operation Thunder
July 2005
July 2005
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Found at least 1 weapons cache and detained several suspects
Counterinsurgency: Was conducted in order to disrupt car bombing cells and roadside bomb emplacers, and prevent them from planning, preparing and carrying out terrorist attacks in the area.
Operation Vanguard Thunder
5 August 2005
5 August 2005
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Targeted 150–200 terrorist suspects. No injuries or damages were reported[17]
Operation Restoring Rights
26 August 2005
2005
the northern city of Tal Afar, located 30 mi (50 km) west of Mosul, Iraq
Counterinsurgency: Was a massive military push to engage and destroy the heavy insurgent contingent located there.[18]
Counterinsurgency: Was responsible for detaining over 700 suspected insurgents and clearing 120 weapons caches
Operation Constitution Hammer
October 2005
October 2005
Fallujah
Counterinsurgency: Was conducted to disrupt insurgent activity along the main supply routes in Fallujah, find and capture weapons caches, and kill or capture insurgents
Counterinsurgency: In order to root out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in the area and to disrupt terrorist support systems in and around the city
Operation Bowie
2 October 2005
4 October 2005
Ar Ramadi, southern portion
Counterinsurgency: While sweeping through the mostly rural area, the ISF assisted the Marines in identifying people who were not from here and helped in searching homes and buildings for weapons caches and insurgent propaganda.
Operation Saratoga
2 October 2005
October 2005
North Central Iraq
Security: To provide a safe observance of Ramadan and security for the upcoming referendum
Operation River Gate (Bawwabatu Annaher)
4 October 2005
5 October 2005
Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana
Counterinsurgency: The operation's goal is to deny the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network the ability to operate in the three Euphrates River Valley cities and to free the local citizens from the insurgents' campaign of murder and intimidation
Operation Fiesta Bowl
11 October 2005
11 October 2005
Mohawla
Counterinsurgency: search in Mohawla 964
Operation Doctor
25 October 2005
25 October 2005
Ar Ramadi, the Women's and Children's Hospital
Humanitarian: The operation, led by 6th Civil Affairs Group, supplied the hospital and the local Ministry of Health with more than $500,000 in medical supplies and equipment that was sorely needed by the citizens of the Al Anbar provincial capital.
Operation Cornhusker
1 November 2005
1 November 2005
Mohawla
Counterinsurgency: cordon and search in Mohawla 953 and clearing operations in Mohawla 955
Operation Open Window
November 2005
2005
the south central region of Iraq
Security: To prepare the area for transfer to the responsibility of the Iraqi 8th Division.
Operation Tigers (Numur)
November 2005
December 2005
Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: Resulted in the capture of several weapons caches and several terrorist suspects
Operation Wolf Stalk II
November 2005
November 2005
Ninevah
Counterinsurgency: Soldiers were charged with disrupting insurgent activity and responding to the needs of local citizens.
Counterinsurgency: Was the fifth in a series by the Iraqi army and coalition forces engaged in combined clearing operations to disrupt terrorism and set conditions for a successful, 15 December election in the provincial capital of Anbar
Operation Syrian Round-up
5 November 2005
5 November 2005
Zafaraniya
Counterinsurgency: clear Mohawla 965. A car was confiscated.
Counterinsurgency: Conducted an air assault into landing zones outside the town and moved in to search for insurgents, insurgent activity and weapons caches.
Operation Panthers (Numur)
16 November 2005
18 November 2005
Ramadi, the Sophia district
Counterinsurgency: Discovered weapons caches and detained suspected terrorists
Operation Home Run
17 November 2005
17 November 2005
Zafaraniya
Counterinsurgency: clear Mohawla 959 in Zafaraniya
Operation Bruins(Dibbah)
19 November 2005
20 November 2005
Ramadi
Counterinsurgency and Security: Part of a series of disruption operations in Ramadi and is designed to set the conditions for successful elections in December
Operation Cotton Bowl
22 November 2005
22 November 2005
Zafaraniya
Counterinsurgency: clear Mohawla 961 in Zafaraniya
Counterinsurgency: This operation involved Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces clearing sections of the city to disrupt the insurgency and set conditions for successful elections on 15 December
Operation Tyche Round-up
26 November 2005
26 November 2005
Diyala
Counterinsurgency: capture/kill AIF targets in Mohawla 964.
Security: The completion of construction of a long-term base on the eastern side of the Euphrates River across from Hīt and about 170 kilometers west of Baghdad
Operation Green Trident
December 2005
December 2005
Fallujah, south of
Counterinsurgency: U.S. Marines discovered more than ten metric tons of munitions hidden at 72 cache sites 39 km south of Fallujah
Operation Rams(Tallie)
4 December 2005
4 December 2005
Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: The forces have discovered four weapons
Operation Stocking Stuffer
4 December 2005
4 December 2005
Diyala
Counterinsurgency: raid on 3 Ansar-al-Sunna targets in M964
Operation Skinner(Gashshaa)
7 December 2005
10 December 2005
central Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: The operation netted four weapons caches and several detainees and also two command initiated rocket systems designed to ambush passing convoys in central Ramadi. The combined forces also discovered a roadside bomb that the insurgents planned to use in the rocket attack.
Counterinsurgency: Locate and detain suspected terrorists
Operation Bull Dawg Chariot
8 December 2005
8 December 2005
Baqubah, near
Counterinsurgency: The operation reportedly netted four suspected terrorists
Operation Liberty Express
13 December 2005
15 December 2005
Fallujah
Security: Transportation of election supplies from the printer to the camp, where Iraqi Police and members of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq picked up and escorted the supplies, including ballots, and dispersed them to various polling sites in the city of Fallujah
The beginning of 2006 was marked by government creation talks, growing sectarian violence, and continuous anti-coalition attacks. Sectarian violence expanded to a new level of intensity following the al-Askari Mosque bombing in the Iraqi city of Samarra, on 22 February 2006. The explosion at the mosque, one of the holiest sites in Shi'a Islam, is believed to have been caused by a bomb planted by Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Although no injuries occurred in the blast, the mosque was severely damaged and the bombing resulted in violence over the following days.
As of 20 October the U.S military announced that Operation Together Forward had failed to stem the tide of violence in Baghdad, and Shiite militants under al-Sadr seized several southern Iraq cities.[20]
On 23 November, the deadliest attack since the beginning of the Iraq war occurred. Suspected Sunni-Arab militants used five suicide car bombs and two mortar rounds on the capital's Shiite Sadr City slum to kill at least 215 people and wound 257. Shiite mortar teams quickly retaliated, firing 10 shells at Sunni Islam's most important shrine in Baghdad, badly damaging the Abu Hanifa mosque and killing one person. Eight more rounds slammed down near the offices of the Association of Muslim Scholars, the top Sunni Muslim organisation in Iraq, setting nearby houses on fire. Two other mortar barrages on Sunni neighborhoods in west Baghdad killed nine and wounded 21, police said.[21]
After capture in December 2003, Saddam Hussein was hanged on 30 December 2006, after being found guilty of crimes against humanity by an Iraqi court.[22]
Battle/operation name
From date
To date
Location
Purpose/result
Operation Industrial Revolution
10 August 2006
10 August 2006
Southeast Fallujah/Industrial Sector
Cordon and Search looking for roadside and car bomb Making Facilities
Operation Iron Arrow I
2006
2006
Obeidi region, northern portion
Counterinsurgency: Conducted to root out terrorists on the Sunni side of town
Operation Post Hawk
2006
2006
Operation Unified Fist
2006
2006
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency:
Operation Baghdad is Beautiful
January 2006
January 2006
Baghdad
Humanitarian: Cleanup up Baghdad
Operation King Tut
January 2006
January 2006
Baghdad
Security: Searched for weapons caches
Operation Red Bull
January 2006
January 2006
the "Triad" area of Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana
Security: The search revealed 75 weapons caches terrorists planned to use during attacks in the region.
Counterinsurgency: To clear the area of insurgents and interact with the populace
Operation Dirty Harry
20 February 2006
20 February 2006
Muqdadiyah, a neighborhood and farmlands in the southern portion
Security and Counterinsurgency: To cordon and knock a local neighborhood which included searching homes and farmland for anti-coalition forces and weapon caches
Operation Minotaur
26 February 2006
26 February 2006
a town along the Euphrates River in Al Anbar Province, northwest of Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Was aimed at clearing more than nine kilometers of riverbank and several small villages south of Haqlaniyah
Counterinsurgency: Discovered more than 62 tons of munitions and weapons were discovered in over 80 weapons caches as well as the capture of 65 suspected insurgents
Operation Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
10 March 2006
10 March 2006
Fallujah
Humanitarian: Handed out toys and pamphlets to Iraqi Children
Operation Focus
12 March 2006
12 March 2006
Diwaniyah
Counterinsurgency: Found a weapons cache
Operation Scales of Justice
12 March 2006
March 2006
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Approximately 800 suspected insurgents had been detained and 140 weapons caches discovered and cleared as part of the operation
Counterinsurgency: To disrupt anti-Iraqi forces and to find and destroy terrorist caches in Abu Ghraib. Operation Northern Lights was a joint US–Iraqi operation which consisted of approximately 1,400 personnel. Most of the information is confidential and not public.
Counterinsurgency: A sequential cordon and search of eight villages in and around Hawija.[23] By the end of the operation, around 52 suspected insurgents were detained.
Operation Red Light II
31 March 2006
31 March 2006
Saladin Governorate
Counterinsurgency: Detained 17 anti-Iraqi forces personnel and discovered four weapons caches
Counterinsurgency: Was a mission intended to locate the suspected leader and financier of a terrorist cell working in the area. The suspected terrorists were implicated in murders, kidnappings and the emplacement of roadside bombs
Members of B squadron 22 SAS and a platoon of British paratroopers supported by US aircraft launched the operation that was aimed at mid-level Al-Qaeda leadership, the operation was a success and an intelligence coup that led the finding and killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Operation Swift Sword
26 April 2006
29 April 2006
the villages and farms west of Bayji
Counterinsurgency: The operation resulted in the capture of 17 suspected insurgents and the confiscation of a cache of weapons. The cache included more than 100 artillery rounds, mortar rounds, mines, rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles, and 4,500 rounds of ammunition
Counterinsurgency: The operation resulted in the detention of 200 suspected terrorists and the confiscation of weapons and propaganda materials at an insurgent training camp southwest of the city.
Humanitarian: To protect key staple crops from insect damage in several Iraq provinces
Operation Chepultepec
24 May 2006
24 May 2006
the Ubaydah region of Southern Lutafiyah
Counterinsurgency: Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces provided the outer cordon around the 80 square kilometer area while the Iraqi Army advanced to their objective to drive the terrorists from the region.
Operation Tinto
25 May 2006
25 May 2006
Basrah
Counterinsurgency: Was a search and arrest mission
Counterinsurgency: Three men of military age previously on the Iraqi Army's most wanted list were detained in searches of a wide area south of the city.
Operation Roaring Tiger
3 June 2006
3 June 2006
Baghdad, Adhamiyah district
Counterinsurgency: The operation captured 19 suspected insurgents
Peacekeeping: The objective of the operation was to take full control of a city that had been out of the hands of the American military for the better part of two years.
Operation Sand Storm
26 June 2006
26 June 2006
Ayn Mana
Counterinsurgency: To seek out illicit weapons and insurgent forces
Operation Iron Gate
June 2006
July 2006
Hawija and Riyadh
Counterinsurgency: Observe and prevent illegal border crossing's from Iran
Counterinsurgency: The operation was aimed at denying terrorists the use of the town as a safe haven, disrupting insurgent attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, and on collecting and destroying insurgent munitions
Operation Thundercat
26 July 2006
30 July 2006
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: To disrupt and destroy the insurgency in and around Baghdad
Operation Floodlight
August 2006
9 August 2006, on or about
Fallujah
Counterinsurgency: To locate insurgents and weapons targeting coalition and Iraqi forces south of the city
Counterinsurgency: Destroyed AQI and Sunni insurgents supply line into Ramadi, numerous insurgent casualties reported.
Operation Constant Solidarity
1 September 2006
1 September 2006
Diwaniyah
Counterinsurgency: To weed out more than 2,000 terrorists in and around the city
Operation Yorktown
26 September 2006
26 September 2006
Al Anbar Province
Security and Law enforcement: To develop the Iraqi Security Forces, facilitate the development of official rule of law through democratic government reforms, and continue the development of a market based economy centered on Iraqi reconstruction
Counterinsurgency: Removed a sizeable cache of bomb making material, detained 11 individuals believed to be involved in insurgent activities and improved the living conditions for the Iraqi people in the area
Counterinsurgency: Fifteen suspects were detained in several locations near the city
Operation Moonlight (Alkamra Almaner)
19 December 2006
21 December 2006
Counterinsurgency: Netted a weapons cache and demonstrated the Iraqi Army soldiers' ability to gather intelligence, plan, execute and exercise command and control during a large-scale operation
Operation Gladiator
23 December 2006
23 December 2006
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: To sweep the Al Doura market and clear the area so merchants can return and be safe
2007 saw a rise in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations as well as a large "surge" in US forces designed to help stabilize the region.
On 10 January 2007, President Bush announced changes in the administration's political and military strategy in the Iraq War during a television speech broadcast. The speech and underlying strategy had been crafted under the working title "The New Way Forward." In the address Bush stated "America will change our strategy to help the Iraqis carry out their campaign to put down sectarian violence and bring security to the people of Baghdad. This will require increasing American force levels. So I've committed more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq. The vast majority of them—five brigades—will be deployed to Baghdad."
As part of this new strategy, 2007 saw several major military operations aimed at eliminating insurgent activities, increase support services such as medical facilities and utilities and the training of Iraqi citizens as police or military personnel.
The largest of these new operations were Operations Law and Order, Phantom Thunder and Phantom Strike.
Battle/Operation name
From date
To date
Location
Purpose/Result
Operation Arrowhead Strike VI
2007
2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Part of the continuing security plan for Baghdad
Battle: Was a battle fought over three days for the control of Haifa Street, a two-mile (3 km)-long street in downtown Baghdad, between American and Iraqi Army forces and various insurgent forces
Counterinsurgency: An effort to disrupt insurgent activity and to root out their weapons stores along the Euphrates River
Operation Howard
16 January 2007
16 January 2007
Risalah
Iraqi army forces elements detained 19 men during operations to capture an illegal armed group leader allegedly responsible for coordinating violent attacks against Iraqi civilians and coalition forces
Operation Arbead II
18 January 2007
18 January 2007
Fallujah
Counterinsurgency: To detain members of a murder and intimidation cell
Operation Northern Venture
2007021
21 January 2007
Al Anbar Province
Counterinsurgency: Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, uncovered 14 large caches
Counterinsurgency: Soldiers detained three suspected terrorists for suspicious activity. Weapons found during the operation included two AK-47 bandoleers and two Katyusha rocket casings
Operation Eagle Claw XI
23 January 2007
23 January 2007
Mrbat Garhat Village near Kirkuk
Counterinsurgency:
Operation Tomahawk Strike 11
24 January 2007
24 January 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: A series of targeted raids to disrupt illegal militia activity and help restore Iraqi security force control in the area
Battle of Najaf (2007)
28 January 2007
29 January 2007
Zarqa, Najaf Governorate
Counterinsurgency: Was a battle that was fought between U.S. and Iraqi forces, and the Islamist Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr
Operation New Day
29 January 2007
29 January 2007
the Al Warar District of Ar Ramadi
Counterinsurgency: The joint force searched more than 50 homes in the area while detaining two suspected insurgents.
Operation SINBAD
6 February 2007
6 February 2007
Hay A'Tanumah, a number of locations on the eastern bank of the Shatt Al'Arab opposite the main town of Basra
Counterinsurgency: Six people were detained during the operation and later released. A quantity of munitions were discovered and later disposed of by explosive experts
Counterinsurgency: To eliminate Tahrir as an operating base for improvised explosive device building cells and key leaders of the Al-Qaeda forces in Iraq.
Operation Saber Boss
26 February 2007
26 February 2007
Muqdadiya
Counterinsurgency: Seized four weapons caches, killed approximately 10 insurgents and detained five suspected terrorists
Operation Ranger Dominance
March 2007
March 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: The first step in their portion of the Baghdad Security Plan
Counterinsurgency: A combined clearance of Sadr City to set secure conditions and identify and destroy militant threats and safe houses in the area in preparation of the establishment of a District Joint Security Station.
Counterinsurgency: A short-notice, reactive strike operation launched on a building west of the Al Jameat district of the city as a direct result of information gained after an attack made on a Multi National Forces base
Operation Dragon Surge
17 March 2007
17 March 2007
Baghdad
Forward Presence and Security: To establish a presence within the city to
deter the sectarian violence against the Iraqi population from insurgents and establish a footprint of Coalition Forces
Counterinsurgency: Succeeded in preventing 3,200 roadside bombs, jailing 42 terrorists, and seizing enough weapons and explosives to outfit an enemy infantry battalion
Operation Enduring Education
25 March 2007
1 April 2007
throughout Iraq
Humanitarian: To fill the shelves of schools with necessary tools to build the foundation of a solid education
Counterinsurgency: U.S. troops battled gunmen loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the town of Diwaniya for control of the city
Operation Black Eagle City
11 April 2007
April 2007
Diwaniya
Humanitarian: Was a follow-on operation to Operation Black Eagle designed to rebuild the city and provide humanitarian aid to the people most affected by the recent militia violence
Operation Dixon
12 April 2007
12 April 2007
Baghdad, eastern portion
Security and counterinsurgency: Was aimed at disrupting car bomb networks operating in the area and gaining additional information and intelligence on those networks.
Operation Yukon River
12 April 2007
12 April 2007
Adwaniyah
Security: A joint effort that established security in the southeastern portion of Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Detained three suspected terrorists and found a cache of bomb-making materials including wire, black powder, explosives manuals in English and Arabic, and chemistry textbooks
Operation Trident IV
21 April 2007
21 April 2007
the Shubayshen area, just south of Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Detained six terror suspects and found a small weapons cache containing small arms and ammunition as well as 300 pounds of homemade explosive material and ball bearings for use in bombs
Operation Chalons
23 April 2007
23 April 2007
Security: The cordon and search mission was conducted in an effort to secure a suspected Anti-Iraqi Forces weapons cache located in 3rd HBCT’s operating area
Counterinsurgency: The searches resulted in four military-aged males being questioned, one of whom was a wanted insurgent
Operation Falkirk
1 June 2007
1 June 2007
Counterinsurgency: To locate and detain suspected terrorists in Balad with ties to the kidnapping of two U.S. Soldiers taken captive. Resulted in a sustained firefight between the insurgents and US and Iraqi Special forces. Several women and children who had been hostage for more than a month were also freed.
Counterinsurgency: One of the homes had an SA-7 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile system, and two men were detained and taken for questioning about the weapon.
Counterinsurgency: Yielded two suspected insurgents wanted for their potential involvement in targeting Iraqi and Coalition Forces with bombs and for their involvement in sectarian violence
Counterinsurgency: Targeted a series of houses which local citizens indicated were being used by al-Qaeda cells to intimidate them and launch attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces
Counterinsurgency: Found several weapons caches including more than 80 mortar rounds, 10 rockets, 15 pounds of plastic explosives, several artillery rounds, fuses, blasting caps and other components to be used to make bombs
Counterinsurgency: Captured the ringleader of a cell responsible for conducting rocket and improvised explosive device attacks on the people and security forces of North Babil
Security Operation: Task Force Marne Soldiers teamed with Iraqi Security Forces to provide security for Iraqi school children
Operation China Shop
23 June 2007
30 June 2007
North of Karmah
Counterinsurgency: Conducted in order to clear insurgents and weapons caches north of Karmah and Fallujah in areas that were previously unoccupied by Coalition Forces.
Operation China Shop II
8 July 2007
8 July 2007
North of Karmah
Operation Eastern Fury
10 July 2007
13 July 2007
Fallujah
Operation Geronimo Strike III
10 July 2007
13 July 2007
Iskandariyah, northwest of
Counterinsurgency: Conducted in order to capture members of an Al Qaeda cell wanted in connection with the kidnapping of three American Soldiers and other attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces
Counterinsurgency: A ring leader of a cell and 4 of his lieutenants responsible for conducting improvised explosive device attacks on the people and security forces of North Babil was captured
Operation Eagle Ares
12 July 2007
12 July 2007
Lutifiyah, east of
Counterinsurgency: Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers nabbed 46 men suspected of involvement with al Qaeda affiliated terror networks
Counterinsurgency: Resulted in 12 men being detained for questioning on suspicion of terrorist activity.
Operation Bellicose Bastian
15 July 2007
15 July 2007
Counterinsurgency: Ten suspected insurgents were arrested
Operation Ithaca
15 July 2007
15 July 2007
Haimer, Abu Nasim, and Jamil, near the villages of
Counterinsurgency: Resulted in 29 al-Qaida gunmen killed, 23 detained, eight hostages released, two weapons caches discovered and a safe house destroyed
Counterinsurgency: To neutralize any future attempts by insurgent Forces to re-establish a presence in key urban areas along the Euphrates River valley
Operation Punisher III
August 2007
August 2007
Al Anbar province
Counterinsurgency: Aimed at countering an insurgent surge of activity in the area, as well as disrupting the flow of weapons and other illegal items toward the urban areas. Was part of Operation Mawtini.
Counterinsurgency: An offensive operation aimed at stopping southern Baghdad from being used as a safe haven and preventing the movement of weapons, munitions and insurgents into Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: No weapons were found, but Soldiers and police officers learned there had been holes dug where weapons may have been stored previously
Operation Iraqi Home Protector
22 July 2007
22 July 2007
Riyadh
Peacekeeping
Operation Olympus
22 July 2007
22 July 2007
Anbakia
Counterinsurgency: Opened routes and cleared insurgents
Counterinsurgency: Killed 11 terrorists and detained 13 suspected terrorists
Operation Rogue Stomp
29 July 2007
30 July 2007
Baghdad, the Jamia Section
Counterinsurgency
Operation Pegasus Bridge
30 July 2007
5 August 2007
Al Anbar Province
Counterinsurgency: Numerous weapons caches, one of which consisted of 11 tons of ammonium nitrate, are among operational highlights. Dozens of enemy munitions, homemade explosives (HME) and rigged-to-blow Bombs were also uncovered and destroyed in place.
Operation Jalil
31 July 2007
August 2007
Samarra
Counterinsurgency: More than 80 suspected terrorists have been detained
Operation New Blue
July 2007
July 2007
throughout Iraq
Security: Put residents in police stations to guard their own communities
Operation Wickersham II
August 2007
August 2007
Counterinsurgency
Operation Wickersham
1 August 2007
2 August 2007
Baqouba, south of
Counterinsurgency: Was to clear an area used by al-Qaeda in Iraq to launch mortars into Baqouba. Named after the lead intelligence analyst for the Iraq Survey Group's Combined Media Processing Center, Adam Wickersham-US Army, who was injured in 2004 near Baqouba from a bomb.
Operation Winston-Salem
1 August 2007
1 August 2007
Baghdad, the Al Amin Section
Counterinsurgency: Captured four suspected insurgents and recovered materials for making bombs
Operation Firecracker
7 August 2007
August 2007
the western Yarmouk neighborhood, Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: The operation was launched to seek out a suspected bomb-cell in the area.
Operation Hoplite
4 August 2007
7 August 2007
Had Maksar
Counterinsurgency: During the operation, two bombs were discovered in homes and destroyed; two weapons caches were discovered; four roadside bombs were discovered and reduced; and one al-Qaida vehicle was destroyed.
Operation William Wallace
8 August 2007
8 August 2007
Abu Tina
Counterinsurgency: To destroy al-Qaeda elements in the Abu Tina area
Operation Banzeen
August 2007
August 2007
Baghdad
Law enforcement: An effort to stop anyone affiliated with illegal militias from taking gasoline and then selling it on the black market.
Operation Lightning Hammer
13 August 2007
2007
Diyala River Valley
Counterinsurgency: A large-scale offensive to defeat al-Qaeda and other terrorist cells seeking safe haven. Was part of Operation Phantom Strike.
Counterinsurgency: To eliminate remaining elements of AQI and other extremist groups, preventing them from causing further terrorism and inciting sectarian violence. Additionally, it will intensify pressure on extremist networks across the entire theater.
Operation Police Victory
2007
2007
Objective:to force Al-Qaeda out of the town hit. The operation was completed by Master sergeant Martin Moore and the 5th Special Forces group.
Operation Pericles
15 August 2007
15 August 2007
Diyala River province
Counterinsurgency: The object of the operations was to sweep insurgents from the villages and palm groves of the province.
Operation Snake River
15 August 2007
15 August 2007
Hawr Rajab region
Counterinsurgency
Operation Marne Husky
16 August 2007
16 September 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: An aviation-based combat offensive targeting Sunni and Shiia military safe havens and weapons smugglers in the southern belts of Baghdad. The 3,900 U.S. troops in the area are focusing on choking the flow of Iranian-supplied bombs and weapons reaching the capital city.
Operation Chesterfield
16 August 2007
16 August 2007
New Baghdad District
Counterinsurgency: Captured one suspected insurgent and recovered a weapons cache including recovering two AK-47s, two pistols and 900,000 Iraqi dinar.
Operation Little Man Brief
17 August 2007
17 August 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency
Operation Dragon Fox
August 2007
August 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Found several Weapons caches
Operation Crimson Shogun
20 August 2007
20 August 2007
the Owesat and Fetoah areas, along the Euphrates River
Counterinsurgency: Thirteen men were detained for further questioning, one of whom was on the battalion’s list of persons of interest. His brother was also detained, and was found by the Soldiers of Company A disguised as a pregnant woman in an attempt to avoid capture.
Operation Nijmegen II
23 August 2007
23 August 2007
Diyarah, north of
Counterinsurgency: 16 suspected members of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell, with suspected links to al-Qaeda, were detained.
Operation Alabama
23 August 2007
23 August 2007
near Baghdad ?
Counterinsurgency
Operation Alaska
24 August 2007
25 August 2007
near Baghdad ?
Counterinsurgency
Operation Falcon Fury II
August 2007
August 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Was an air assault mission conducted in support of Operation Marne Husky
Counterinsurgency: An operation to survey Iraq for downed power lines and watching for anyone violating the stand-off distance laws.
Operation Church
27 August 2007
27 August 2007
Gobia
Counterinsurgency: Netted several detainees, three caches containing 150 lb of home-made explosives, two 130 mm rounds, a ZU-23 with 2,000 rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade with eight rounds, a PKC, and seven AK-47s.
Operation Gecko
28 August 2007
28 August 2007
Jurf as Sakhr
Counterinsurgency: Tips from concerned citizens led Iraqi Coalition Forces to identify and destroy an enemy safehouse and discover a weapons cache.
Operation Street Sweeper II
28 September 2007
30 August 2007
Habbaniyah, outside of
Counterinsurgency: To rid the area of insurgents and their deadly tools.
Operation Eagle Chickmauga
1 September 2007
1 September 2007
Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency: 16 suspected insurgents were detained.
Operation Hit and Run
1 September 2007
1 September 2007
near Hawr Rajab
Counterinsurgency: Detained eight suspected al-Qaeda members and confiscated four AK-47 assault rifles
Operation Comanche Swarm III
2 September 2007
2 September 2007
Baghdad, East of
Counterinsurgency: Detained three people and seized a large cache of weapons
Operation Gator Inn
2 September 2007
2 September 2007
near Patrol Base Murray
Counterinsurgency: Discovered a weapons cache containing three AK-47 assault rifles, 14 mortar primers, six magazine carriers and 24 magazines.
Operation K
2 September 2007
2 September 2007
Baghdad, East of
Counterinsurgency
Operation Black Shark
3 September 2007
3 September 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: The operation, carried out by Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, was part of the continuous effort to sweep out insurgent strongholds. Soldiers also recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one magazine and 707,000 Iraqi dinar, equal to about $600.
Operation Lightning Hammer II
5 September 2007
5 September 2007
throughout Iraq
Counterinsurgency: Search for alqaeda members throughout Iraq.
Operation Tuwaitha Sunrise
September 2007
September 2007
Tuwaitha, southeast of Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: To rid a major road of Bombs
Operation Wickersham III
5 September 2007
5 September 2007
Diyala province
Counterinsurgency: The operation, designed to remove al-Qaeda influence south of Buhriz, resulted in the discovery of three weapons caches and five bombs. Four detainees were located in the vicinity of a cache and were transferred to a facility for further questioning.
Operation Justice League
6 September 2007
6 September 2007
Khan Bani Sa'ad
Counterinsurgency: To drive Al-Qaeda out of the area.
Operation Rock Hammer
7 September 2007
7 September 2007
Baqouba, South of
Counterinsurgency: Was conducted in farmland and palm groves on the Diyala River, resulted in the discovery of 11 al Qaeda in Iraq weapons caches.
Operation Falcon Fury
10 September 2007
10 September 2007
Baghdad, south of
Counterinsurgency: Was an air assault mission that yielded three suspected militants who were detained after they were discovered with explosives.
Operation Tacoma III
10 September 2007
10 September 2007
New Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: The operation, carried out by Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, resulted in the recovery of two explosively formed penetrators, eight hand grenades, one rocket, 218 rounds of ammunition, three mortars and three rolls of wire.
Operation Greywolf Hammer II
2007
2007
Counterinsurgency
Operation Gun Barrel City
2007
2007
Counterinsurgency
Operation California
12 September 2007
12 September 2007
Near Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency
Operation Viking Clampdown III
15 September 2007
15 September 2007
Counterinsurgency
Operation Arizona
15 September 2007
15 September 2007
Counterinsurgency
Operation Dragon Talon II
17 September 2007
17 September 2007
Baghdad
Counterinsurgency: Captured 2 individuals suspected of anti-Coalition activities and the confiscation of several weapons caches.
Operation Marne Torch II
September 2007
September 2007
Counterinsurgency
Operation Bethel
19 September 2007
19 September 2007
Hawr Rajab
Counterinsurgency: Detained insurgent suspects and destroyed weapons
Operation Lions Paw
September 2007
September 2007
throughout Iraq
Humanitarian: The release of 50 to 75 Iraqi detainies each day during Ramadan
Operation Viking Snatch
20 September 2007
20 September 2007
Sheik Hammad Village, near
Counterinsurgency: A weapons smuggler was detained and a cache of weapons was discovered containing two AK-47s, four magazines and two pistols with two magazines
Operation Gecko III A
21 September 2007
21 September 2007
Jurf As Sukhr
Counterinsurgency: A weapons cache was also discovered during the operation which contained two hand grenades, one 105 mm artillery round, one 81 mm mortar round, one PKC machine gun, one Dragunov sniper rifle, one Dushka heavy machine gun, three AK-47 assault rifles, two ammunition vests and other paraphernalia. The cache was destroyed on the scene.
Operation Bear
29 September 2007
29 September 2007
Baqouba
Counterinsurgency: An operation designed to look for weapons caches and insurgents.
Operation Gold Digger
29 September 2007
29 September 2007
Sheik Jamil
Counterinsurgency: Searched for weapons caches.
Operation Anchorage
30 September 2007
30 September 2007
east of FOB Falcon
Counterinsurgency: Discovered weapons and detained several suspected insurgents
Operation Hawaii II
3 October 2007
4 October 2007
Near Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency: searching weapons caches.
Operation Rock Drill
5 October 2007
5 October 2007
Muradiyah
Counterinsurgency: Discovered a large weapons cache in the village cemetery and detained two men.
Counterinsurgency: Search for weapons caches and suspected insurgents.
Operation Bone Breaker
15 October 2007
15 October 2007
southeast Baqouba
Counterinsurgency: Captured one large weapons cache containing assorted weapons and ammunition, as well as two smaller caches containing home-made explosives.
Operation Ohio II
17 October 2007
17 October 2007
Near Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency: searching weapons caches. Some 60mm and 120mm Mortar rounds were found and destroyed by bomb teams.
Operation Kentucky
20 October 2007
20 October 2007
Near Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency: searching weapons caches.
Operation Hawaii III
23 October 2007
24 October 2007
Near Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency: searching weapons caches.
Operation Montana II
12 November 2007
13 November 2007
Near Mahmudiyah
Counterinsurgency: searching weapons caches with Iraqi Forces.
Operation Iron Reaper
27 November 2007
December 2007
Northern Iraq
Counter Insurgency: To pursue al-Qaeda in Iraq and extremist elements from the region.
Security: Focused on pursuing the enemy and clearing al-Qaeda safe havens
Operation Raider Harvest
8 January 2008
2008
southeast of Baghdad, Northern Iraq
Security: A sub operation of Operation Iron Harvest.
Operation Iron Harvest
9 January 2008
2008
Northern Iraq
Counter Insurgency: To pursue al-Qaeda in Iraq and extremist elements from the region. A sub operation of the corps-level offensive Operation Phantom Phoenix
Operation Marne Grand Slam
15 February 2008
15 March 2008
southeast of Baghdad
Security: Focused on pursuing the enemy and clearing al-Qaeda safe havens. Transitioned to Operation Marne Rugged in March 2008.
Operation Marne Rugged
15 March 2008
2009
southeast of Baghdad
Security: Focused on pursuing the enemy and clearing al-Qaeda safe havens.
Operation Sawlat al-Fursan (Charge of the Knights)
24 March 2008
2009
al Qurnah, Iraq
Counter Insurgency: Targeting criminal elements by the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Security Forces
Operation Estonia
29 March 2008
30 March 2008
the cities of Hamza and Hashmiyah, Iraq
Counter Insurgency: detained numerous criminals and found two caches
Operation Manchu Harvest III (Salah ad Din)
4 April 2008
2008
Salah ad Din Province, Iraq
Counter Insurgency: discovered a large weapons cache
Operation Marne Piledriver
15 April 2008
2008
the Mahmudiyah area
Peacekeeping and Counterinsurgency: Purpose was to combat insurgency and stimulate economic growth and development throughout the Mahmudiyah Qada
Operation Restore Peace VI
18 May 2008
18 May 2008
Forward Operating Base McHenry, Iraq
Counter Insurgency: To reconcile with combatants. Reported a 90% drop in violence in certain areas.
Operation Lions Roar
19 May 2008
19 May 2008
the Younis al-Sabawi neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq
Counter Insurgency: Discovered a cache consisted of more than 100 mortar rounds, more than 100 mortar fuses, two mortar tubes, two mortar bipods, one suicide vest, two rockets and eight mines.
Humanitarian: distribution of food, toys and medical supplies to poor Iraqis in the rural villages of Maysan province, to include the villages of Amarah and Abu Romanah.
Operation Wolf Pursuit was a joint US and Iraqi operation aimed at targeting insurgents in rural areas of Diyala Province, and the rural southern area of Balad Ruz specifically. Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces intended to enter rural areas, clear them of insurgents, and then build combat outposts to maintain security and oversee the development of the rural areas.
Operation New Hope was a military offensive with joint US and Iraqi participation that began on 21 February 2009. The operation's objective was to degrade Al-Qaeda in Iraq's capabilities in Mosul, the capital of the northern province of Ninewah. It also intended to follow up on arrest warrants, carry out search-and-raid operations in parts of Mosul, and reinforce the presence of security forces. In the first evening hours of the offensive, 84 suspects were arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorism.
Operation Ninewa Resolve was a subset of Operation New Hope. As part of the operation, Coalition and Iraqi forces partnered to clear insurgents from neighborhoods in Ninewa's capital city of Mosul. After the neighborhood was cleared, a holding force was put into place to prevent the return of insurgents. Once the neighborhood was secured, the holding force began quick-impact projects to employ Iraqis and spur economic development and reconstruction.
The operation consisted of clearing areas in search of weapons caches, checking identification for known criminals and bringing humanitarian assistance to local communities.
The top three key tasks of Legion Pursuit II were to project and sustain Iraqi Security and Coalition forces in the villages of Abu Bakr and Abu Awad, Diyala Province, Iraq and to conduct a detailed census of the towns and to provide humanitarian assistance to bolster ISF and local national relations.
^Urban, Mark, Task Force Black: The Explosive True Story of the Secret Special Forces War in Iraq , St. Martin's Griffin, 2012 ISBN1250006961ISBN978-1250006967, p.20-21, p.26-31, p.88
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