Operation Marne Torch

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Operation Marne Torch
Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Marne Torch
Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Marne Torch
date June 16, 2007 to October 14, 2007
place Iraq
output Coalition victory, interruption of the insurgents' supply routes
Parties to the conflict

United StatesUnited States United States Iraqi Armed Forces
IraqIraq 

Iraqi rebels

Commander

Rick Lynch
Terry Ferrell

unknown

Troop strength
3,000 unknown
losses

Shot down 13 dead (US)
1 OH-58 Kiowa

88 fighters killed,
278 prisoners

Operation Marne Torch marks two coalition forces operations in Iraq in the summer of 2007. On both occasions, the fighting was concentrated in the Arab Jabour region in the Babil province . The first operation, Operation Marne Torch I, began on June 16, 2007 with attacks by coalition forces and the Iraqi army on positions of al-Qaeda and other extremist groups in Arab Jabour. The aim was to conquer retreats for the rebels and extremists in the south of Baghdad . 2,000 coalition soldiers and 1,000 Iraqi security forces were involved in the operation.

Operation Marne Torch II began on September 15, 2007. The venue for this was the Hawr Rajab region . The coalition forces, with the support of a group of locals from Arab Jabour, took action against insurgents on the west bank of the Tigris . 250 casualties (fallen / captured) were inflicted on the insurgents during the operation. In addition, 12 boats that were used to transport weapons could be seized. Larger arsenals were also discovered.

background

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was the last brigade to arrive in Iraq as part of the "surge". Their mission was to liberate and secure the Arab Jabour region. From there, fighters and weapons were regularly smuggled into Baghdad. The coalition forces used a new tactic against the insurgents, in which the troops left their bases and stayed close to the local population . It was hoped that this would create a greater feeling of security among the population and more evidence of terrorist activities.

Units involved

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Operation Marne Torch I

As part of the nationwide Operation Phantom Thunder , which began in June 2007, the Multinational Division Center also launched a major offensive against insurgents on both sides of the Tigris. So far, only a few coalition troops had been present in this area and many areas were firmly in the hands of the insurgents. The operation consisted of house searches, patrols and cleanups. According to Joshua Paltrow of the Washington Post , 5 suspects were killed and more than 60 captured in the first week of the offensive in the Arab Jabour region. As of June 21, 237 house searches had been carried out in the region.

By the end of the operation on July 15, 2007, a total of around 1,200 houses had been checked. 83 insurgents were killed and more than 278 captured. Several larger arsenals were found. In order to avoid the mined terrain by the insurgents, the US troops were often relocated with helicopters . As part of the operation, insurgents were repeatedly trapped by air landings and then destroyed with air strikes. The Combat Aviation Brigade was responsible for over 70% of the insurgents inflicted losses.

Operation Marne Torch II

US troops at Salman Pak

The Operation Marne Torch II began on 15 September 2007 in Hwar Rajab region. With the support of around 700 locals, the coalition forces continued to take action against the insurgents on the west side of the Tigris. More than 250 insurgents were captured or killed. In addition, more weapons stores could be found. In addition, several new outposts were set up by the coalition forces, from which a further advance south was made possible. There were some strongholds of the rebels. This was used, among other things, during Operation Phantom Phoenix . In addition, the bases conveyed a feeling of security for the population.

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