Battle of Umm Qasr

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
Date March 21 - March 25 2003 Location Umm Qasr, Iraq Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
Iraq	15th MEU 3 Commando Brigade GROM
Commanders and leaders
N/A	Roman Polko
Casualties and losses
30-40 killed 450 captured	14 killed

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. 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.

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