Ramadan Offensive (2006) Explained

Conflict:Ramadan Offensive (2006)
Partof:the Iraq War
Date:23 September 2006 – 22 October 2006
Place:Iraq
Result:Insurgent victory
Combatant1: United States
Iraq
United Kingdom
Denmark
El Salvador
Combatant2:Mujahideen Shura Council
Commander1: Gen. George Casey
Commander2: Abu Ayyub al-Masri
Abu Omar al-Baghdadi
Strength1: 10,000+ soldiers
6,000+ soldiers
2,500+ soldiers
500 soldiers
200 soldiers
Strength2: 1,500+ soldiers
Casualties1: 194 killed
119 killed[1]
2 killed
2 killed
1 killed
Casualties2: Unknown
Territory:Most of Baghdad, Al Anbar province and Babil province come under insurgent control

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 was 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. 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. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/02/africa/ME_GEN_Iraq_Violence.php Iraqi Interior Ministry says 119 policemen killed, 185 wounded in October - iht,africa,Iraq Violence - Africa & Middle East - International Herald Tribune
  2. News: McCarthy. Terry. 'Ramadan Offensive' Challenges Security in Baghdad. 7 July 2016. ABC News. 19 October 2006.
  3. Web site: Shi'ite militia in show of strength - the Boston Globe .