Operation Swarmer
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| Operation Swarmer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Post-invasion Iraq | |||||||||
 Operation Swarmer begins with the largest air assault operation since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. |
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| Combatants | |||||||||
| US-led coalition, New Iraqi Army | Al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi insurgents | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| More than 50 aircraft, 200 Vehicles and 1,500 troops |
Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties | |||||||||
| None | 48 Captured (17 were later released) | ||||||||
| Iraq War |
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| Invasion – Post-invasion (Insurgency – Civil War) |
Operation Swarmer was a joint U.S-Iraqi air assault offensive targeting insurgents in Salahuddin province, near the central city of Samarra, Iraq. According to the US military, it was the largest air assault in Iraq since the U.S. invasion 3 years ago. This area has been a hotbed for insurgent activity including the kidnapping and killing of civilians and soldiers. Samarra was the site of the bombing of the revered Al-Askari Shiite Shrine on February 22 that set off a wave of sectarian killing that has claimed almost 500 lives. Coalition forces said it had captured a number of weapons caches, containing shells, explosives and military uniforms. The US military expects this operation to last several days. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stated that insurgents were "trying to create another Fallujah". The Operation has so far netted at least 48 suspects, of which about 17 have been released.[1] The U.S Military reports no significant resistance, and also says it achieved the tactical surprise factor it was seeking.
Other reports, however, have suggested that the lack of resistance may have been due to a lack of significant targets in the region. Time magazine reports that the area is a farming community with only 1,500 residents.[1] Time also contested the US military's claim of the largest air assault since the invasion 3 years ago, indicating that no air strikes had occurred. Reporter Christopher Allbritton further reports that no fixed-wing aircraft were involved in the operation. (air assault). However, the presence of fix winged aircraft and the use of airstrikes does not mean that the mission was not, by definition, an air assault.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Bennett, Brian (March 17 2006). On Scene: How Operation Swarmer Fizzled. Time.com. Retrieved on March 18, 2006.
- ^ Operation Overblown. Back to Iraq (March 17 2006). Retrieved on March 18, 2006.
[edit] External links
- American Forces Press Service: Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Launch "Operation Swarmer"
- BBC News article US launches major Iraq air attack
- U.S., Iraqis Launch 'Operation Swarmer'
- U.S., Iraqis launch raid on insurgent hotbed
- 'Operation Swarmer' Air Assault Launched in Iraq
- How US assault grabbed global attention
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