Operation Plymouth Rock Explained

Conflict:Operation Plymouth Rock
Partof:Iraq war
Date:23 November 2004
Place: Baghdad, Iraq
Result:captured 32 suspected insurgents
Combatant1: U.S. Marine Corps
New Iraqi Army
British Army
Combatant2:
Other Insurgent groups
Strength1:5000 in total [1]
Strength2:Unknown
Units1: 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Black watch
Iraqi Security forces
Units2: ISIS
Casualties1:None
Casualties2:32 Insurgents captured[2]

Operation Plymouth Rock was a major anti-insurgent sweep of an area south of Baghdad launched on 23 November 2004.[3] Iraqi, American and British troops took part. Elements of the American 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the British Black Watch[4] Regiment took part.

History

Iraqi Security Forces, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit,[5] increased operations on 23 November 2004 in the south-central Iraqi town of Jabella. Operations, which started earlier in November, continued the campaign in the northern Babil province aimed at rooting out insurgent forces.

The combined Iraqi-U.S. force captured 32 suspected insurgents, including a number of high-interest individuals, in a series of early-morning raids approximately 50 miles south of Baghdad. Jabella is among several cities and towns in the province that the Interim Iraqi Government, supported by the Multi-National Forces, are determined to return to the Iraqi people.

Ongoing operations in the North Babil province involved more than 5,000 Iraqi, U.S. and British forces.

As Iraqi Security Forces and their U.S. partners began liberating Fallujah earlier this month, insurgent activity intensified in northern Babil. Insurgent attacks rose in an apparent effort to divert attention from the high-profile battle west of Baghdad.

Iraqi forces and Marines have maintained their own pressure, rounding up insurgents in daily raids, house-to-house searches and random vehicle checkpoints. They've been aided by a British armored battle group—the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch Regiment.

Through the combined operations, ISF and Multi-National Forces continue to make steady gains in the campaign to restore security and stability to Iraq as the Iraqi people prepare to vote in nationwide elections in January.

It followed the many operations including the most intense combat since Vietnam. The closest that the 2nd Operation in Fallujah Operation Phantom Fury can be related to is "Hue City" during the Tet Offensive.

See also

References

  1. Web site: Operation Plymouth Rock Unit count . Global Security.
  2. Web site: Operation Plymouth Rock, 32 insurgents captured. Global Security.
  3. Web site: Operation Plymouth Rock . Global Security.
  4. Web site: Operation Plymouth Rock Units . Global Security.
  5. Web site: Operation Plymouth Rock . Global Security.

External links