Operation Iron Saber

Operation Iron Saber
Part of the 2004 Spring Fighting of Iraq War
DateApril – June 2004
Location
Najaf, Diwaniyah, Al Kut, Karbala
Result Coalition victory[2]
Belligerents

 United States

 Ukraine

 Poland
 Bulgaria[1]
Iraq New Iraqi Army		 Mahdi Army
Commanders and leaders
Mark Hertling
Lt. Col. Gary Bishop
Serhiy Ostrovskyi		 Muqtada al-Sadr
Strength
2,500+[3] 1,500–2,900 (April)[3]
Casualties and losses
3 killed
1 killed
Iraq 20 killed[3]		 7,000 killed
20 captured
(per 1st Armored Division)[4][3]

During Post-invasion Iraq, Operation Iron Saber was a coalition strike aimed at defeating the Mahdi Army under the control of Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, Diwaniyah, Al Kut and Karbala.[4] The major American unit involved was the 37th Armor Regiment of 1st Armored Division.[3] The operation was launched in April 2004, and after intense urban warfare which involved Mahdi militiamen taking refuge in mosques, coalition forces had defeated the Mahdi army by June and had forced a cease-fire with al-Sadr.[2]

  1. ^ "Power of Brotherhood". www.polska-zbrojna.pl. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Army unit claims victory over sheik". www.washingtontimes.com. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Edward Wong (5 May 2004). "U.S. Begins First Major Assault on Iraqi Militia Led by Cleric". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Operation Iron Saber". www.globalsecurity.org. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2024.