Ramadan Offensive (2006)

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Ramadan Offensive (2006)
Part of the Iraq War
Date23 September 2006 – 22 October 2006
Location
Iraq
Result Insurgent victory
Territorial
changes
Most of Baghdad, Al Anbar province and Babil province come under insurgent control[ dubious discuss ]
Belligerents
Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg  Iraq
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
Flag of El Salvador.svg El Salvador

Mujahideen Shura Council

Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United States.svg Gen. George Casey

Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq.svg Abu Omar al-Baghdadi

Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq.svg Abu Hamza al-Muhajir
Strength
Flag of the United States.svg 10,000+ soldiers
Flag of Iraq.svg 6,000+ soldiers
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2,500+ soldiers
Flag of Denmark.svg 500 soldiers
Flag of El Salvador.svg 200 soldiers
Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq.svg 1,500+ soldiers
Casualties and losses
Flag of the United States.svg 194 killed
Flag of Iraq.svg 119 killed [1]
Flag of Denmark.svg 2 killed
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2 killed
Flag of El Salvador.svg 1 killed
Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq.svg Unknown

The Ramadan Offensive refers to the attacks mounted by insurgents in Iraq during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in 2006, three years after the original Ramadan Offensive. [2]

Among the targets were U.S., Iraqi and other Coalition military targets, but many civilians were also killed by death squads. Most of the civilian killings were conducted by the Mahdi Army who were seeking to purge the Sunni population of Baghdad. The offensive coincided with a Coalition operation called Together Forward which was to significantly reduce the violence in Baghdad which had seen a sharp uprise since the mid-February 2006 bombing of the Askariya Mosque, a major Shia Muslim shrine, in Samarra. However, the operation failed. Moreover, the insurgents managed take control of more than 80 percent of Baghdad. Also insurgents made huge gains in the western Al Anbar and southern Babil province, forcing Coalition and Iraqi security forces from many towns and cities.[ dubious discuss ] This period also saw the battle of Amarah, during which rogue Mahdi Army fighters fought with the police, who were members of the Badr Organisation, for control of the southern city of Amarah. [3]

References

  1. Iraqi Interior Ministry says 119 policemen killed, 185 wounded in October - iht, africa, Iraq Violence - Africa & Middle East - International Herald Tribune
  2. McCarthy, Terry (19 October 2006). "'Ramadan Offensive' Challenges Security in Baghdad". United States: ABC News. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. "Shi'ite militia in show of strength – the Boston Globe".