Battle of Basra (2007)

30°30′N 47°49′E / 30.500°N 47.817°E / 30.500; 47.817

Battle of Basra (2007)
Part of Iraq War
Map of UK bases in Basra: airport on the left, Basra Palace on the right
Date 27 February – 3 September 2007 (6 months and 1 week) Location Basra, Iraq Result Mahdi army victory British withdrawal from Basra
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Mahdi Army
Strength
6,200	≈1,000[1]

The Battle of Basra was initiated by the Mahdi Army (Jaysh al-Mahdi) to capture the city of Basra in 2007. Following the reported major failure of the coalition forces, whose purpose was to stabilise Basra and prepare it for the turning over of security to Iraqi government forces, the city was overrun by insurgent forces from three different Iraqi factions including the Mahdi Army, and the British found themselves under major siege in their bases and capable of conducting only limited defence action in armoured convoys.