Battle of Suq al Ghazi explained

Partof:the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), and
the Military intervention against ISIL
Date:September 15, 2014
Place:Suq al Ghazi, near Baghdad, Iraq
Result:US/Iraqi victory
Combatants Header:Combatants
Combatant1:


Combatant2:
Local Sunni Militias
Strength1: 100 soldiers
Strength2: 300 militants
Casualties1: 5 killed
Casualties2:23 fighters killed

The Battle of Suq al Ghazi took place on September 15, 2014.

The battle

On September 15, 2014, ISIL gunmen, accompanied by local jihadist militias, stormed an Iraqi military base. Not knowing what to do, the Iraqi soldiers made frantic calls for help. Inside the base, ISIL ordered the soldiers to get in a dozen trucks when they arrived. The ISIL fighters reportedly shot at civilians and anyone who tried to intervene before raising the ISIL Black Standard in place of the Iraqi Flag.

After receiving calls from help, and seeing that ISIL intended to capture Suq al Ghazi, US, UK and French drones arrived and fired at ISIL positions, killing multiple fighters. The remaining ISIL fighters fled, only to be engaged by Iraqi tanks.[1]

Iraqi tanks fired at the remaining fighters. US drones arrived and began bombing them as well.

Aftermath

ISIL permanently left Suq al Ghazi on September 16, 2014, making the battle the shortest one in the history of the conflict.

Notes and References

  1. News: U.S. Airstrikes Hit Targets Near Baghdad Held by ISIS. The New York Times . September 16, 2014 . September 16, 2014. NYTIMES . Kenny . Steve .