Battle of Umm Qasr: Difference between revisions
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|result=Coalition victory |
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|combatant1={{flagicon|Iraq|1991}} [[Iraq]] |
|combatant1={{flagicon|Iraq|1991}} [[Iraq]] |
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|combatant2={{flagicon|United States}} [[15th MEU]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[ |
|combatant2={{flagicon|United States}} [[15th MEU]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[3 Commando Brigade]]<br>{{flagicon|Poland}} [[GROM]] |
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|commander1=N/A |
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|commander2={{flagicon|Poland}} [[Roman Polko]] |
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{{Campaignbox Iraq War}} |
{{Campaignbox Iraq War}} |
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{{Campaignbox Iraq War battles}} |
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The '''Battle of Umm Qasr''' was the first military confrontation in the [[Iraq War]]. At the start of the [[Iraq War|Second Gulf War]], one of the first objectives was the port of [[Umm Qasr]]. On [[March 21]] [[2003]], Allied forces advanced across Southern Iraq and US marines captured the new port part of Umm Qasr, spending several more days in fighting through the old town part of Umm Qasr encountering fierce resistance. |
The '''Battle of Umm Qasr''' was the first military confrontation in the [[Iraq War]]. At the start of the [[Iraq War|Second Gulf War]], one of the first objectives was the port of [[Umm Qasr]]. On [[March 21]] [[2003]], Allied forces advanced across Southern Iraq and US marines captured the new port part of Umm Qasr, spending several more days in fighting through the old town part of Umm Qasr encountering fierce resistance. |
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The assault on the town's port was spearheaded by the US [[15th Marine Expeditionary Unit]], the British [[Royal Marines]] and the [[Poland|Polish]] [[GROM]] troops, but Iraqi forces put up unexpectedly strong resistance, requiring several days' fighting before the area was cleared of defenders.<ref>"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,920580,00.html Fierce battle around port]," ''The Guardian'', 24 March 2003</ref> After the waterway was de-mined by Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FOURTEEN Detachment ONE and Naval Special Clearance Team ONE of the U.S. Navy and reopened, Umm Qasr played an important role in the shipment of humanitarian supplies to Iraqi civilians.<ref>"Iraq aid confined to south", ''The Guardian'', 2 April 2003</ref> |
The assault on the town's port was spearheaded by the US [[15th Marine Expeditionary Unit]], the British [[3 Commando Brigade]] of the [[Royal Marines]] and the [[Poland|Polish]] [[GROM]] troops, but Iraqi forces put up unexpectedly strong resistance, requiring several days' fighting before the area was cleared of defenders.<ref>"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,920580,00.html Fierce battle around port]," ''The Guardian'', 24 March 2003</ref> After the waterway was de-mined by Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FOURTEEN Detachment ONE and Naval Special Clearance Team ONE of the U.S. Navy and reopened, Umm Qasr played an important role in the shipment of humanitarian supplies to Iraqi civilians.<ref>"Iraq aid confined to south", ''The Guardian'', 2 April 2003</ref> |
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The port was declared safe and open on [[March 25]]th 2003, after Royal Marines took over control of the port and conducted raids into the old part of town. |
The port was declared safe and open on [[March 25]]th 2003, after Royal Marines took over control of the port and conducted raids into the old part of town. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2873311.stm Tough battle for Umm Qasr (BBC)] |
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2873311.stm Tough battle for Umm Qasr (BBC)] |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2887545.stm Battle for hearts and minds at Umm Qasr (BBC)] |
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*http://www.britains-smallwars.com/gulf2/UmmQasr.html |
*[http://www.britains-smallwars.com/gulf2/UmmQasr.html The Battle for Umm Qasr] |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 04:46, 21 September 2008
| Battle of Umm Qasr | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of 2003 Invasion of Iraq | |||||||
 U.S M1 Abrams tank fires its 120mm cannon at Iraqi forces during fighting near Umm Qasr, 23 March 2003 | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Iraq |
 15th MEU 3 Commando Brigade GROM | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| N/A |
Roman Polko | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
30-40 killed 450 captured[1] | 14 killed[2] | ||||||
The Battle of Umm Qasr was the first military confrontation in the Iraq War. At the start of the Second Gulf War, one of the first objectives was the port of Umm Qasr. On March 21 2003, Allied forces advanced across Southern Iraq and US marines captured the new port part of Umm Qasr, spending several more days in fighting through the old town part of Umm Qasr encountering fierce resistance.
The assault on the town's port was spearheaded by the US 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the British 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines and the Polish GROM troops, but Iraqi forces put up unexpectedly strong resistance, requiring several days' fighting before the area was cleared of defenders.[3] After the waterway was de-mined by Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FOURTEEN Detachment ONE and Naval Special Clearance Team ONE of the U.S. Navy and reopened, Umm Qasr played an important role in the shipment of humanitarian supplies to Iraqi civilians.[4]
The port was declared safe and open on March 25th 2003, after Royal Marines took over control of the port and conducted raids into the old part of town.
Coalition minesweepers, including HMS Bangor aided by divers and US Navy MH-53E helicopters and trained dolphins and seals located and cleared the approach to the port of mines allowing RFA Sir Galahad to dock after a couple of days.
External links
- Tough battle for Umm Qasr (BBC)
- Battle for hearts and minds at Umm Qasr (BBC)
- The Battle for Umm Qasr
Notes
- ^ Wages of War -- Appendix 1. Survey of reported Iraqi combatant fatalities in the 2003 war | Commonwealth Institute of Cambridge
- ^ Period Details
- ^ "Fierce battle around port," The Guardian, 24 March 2003
- ^ "Iraq aid confined to south", The Guardian, 2 April 2003
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