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Draft:Operation Heroes of Iraq 4

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Operation Heroes Of Iraq
DateMay 2020
Location
Iraq, Diyala
Result Iraqi victory
Territorial
changes
250 villages and 17,000-18,000km² recaptured from the Islamic State
Belligerents

Iraq

Islamic State
Commanders and leaders

Mustafa al-Kadhimi Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir al-Shammari

Tahseen al-Khafaji
Unknown

Operation Heroes Of Iraq, also known as Operation Heroes Of Iraq 4, was a military operation that sought to eliminate remaining ISIS (Daesh) cells and secure unsafe areas in the Diyala Province. The Operation itself had 4 phases and each had different accomplishments after the initiation of the first phase on the 12th of May 2020 and its reported success confirmed by the US on the 28th of July 2020.[1] 0 and its reported success confirmed by the US on the 28th of July 2020. In total, 250 villages were recaptured from the Islamic State along with 17,000-18,000km² of land.

Background

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After the Islamic State lost held territory in Iraq and Syria by late 2017, ISIS evolved into a Insurgent force, they would use leveraging remote terrain to commit their acts of raids, ambushes and attacks. Provinces such as Diyala, Kirkuk, Saladin and Anbar became primary strongholds for these ISIS sleeper cells (this was one of the motivations towards the operation). The Islamic State also notably intensified their attacks in 2020 with an average of 445 monthly attacks as they were taking advantage of the reduced security patrols during the pandemic (Covid-19)[2] . Hotspots for the terrorists were in the said provinces in Iraq and were there on the basis of poor governance and their strategic location. Many attacks that happened in these reigions include the Camp Taji Rocket Attacks killing two U.S service members and one British solider along with the Attack on the Kirkuk Intelligence Building none dead, although three injured. During that attack a militant wearing a suicide vest detonated himself at the Iraqi Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Directorate.

Phases

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Phase One of Operation Heroes Of Iraq commenced on the 12th of May 2020 and focused on clearing the Diyala Province from ISIS remnants and to destroy hideouts, tunnels and weapon caches[3]

along with enhancing security and stability within the province.

Its key achievements during this operation was the destruction of several secret ISIS bases containing food supplies and communication devices. In total they demolished three hideouts, four tunnels , two workshops (used for manufacturing explosives such as IEDs) and an ammunition cache.

Phase Two of the Operation started on the second of June. Their primary goal also focused on clearing ISIS remnants but this time during the southwestern regions of Kirkuk and adjacent areas. This phase had achieved the neutralization of two suspected ISIS terrorists during the Operation in the targeted areas, it had also achieved the seizure of weapons and resources. During this operation newly inaugurated Prime minister Mustafa al-kadhimi visited Kirkuk to monitor progress on the on-going operation.[4]

phase Three of the operation commenced on the 22nd of June 2020. The ISF had cleared 4,800km² in search of ISIS hideouts and had destroyed 10 hideouts, 4 tunnels and 4 safehouses along with disabling 76 improvised explosive devices (IEDs)[5] . This phase greatly weakened ISIS foothold in the targeted region and set the stage for subsequent operations aimed at restoring peace and stability across Iraq.

Phase four this was the last phase of the operation and commenced on the 11th of July 2020, a new Lieutenant, Lieutenant Abdul-Amir al-Shammari had joined the operation. Their main goal was to purge all ISIS remnants from the Diyala Province, secure and stabilize areas along administrative borders with the Kurdistan region. Their achievements during this phase claims one of the most successful in the entire Operation as the iraqi army claimed: more than 250 villages and sites, a total of 17,000-18,000km² of land in search of ISIS hideouts, captured and destroyed hundreds of ISIS weapons and weapons and ammunition, vehicles, and disabled more than 90 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Arrested or killed several enemy fighters and destroyed more than 60 operating sites denying ISIS the means to move freely and hide equipment and fighters[6] . This was a major step forward to restoring security and peace within Iraq

Aftermath

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The aftermath of the operation led ISIS to have totally lost 17,000-18,000km² of land over 250 villages and sites and losing several soldiers and a key leaders were killed such as Mutaz Numan Abd Nayif Najm al-jabbouri who was the ISIS Wali (governor). The operation disrupted significant firepower such as ammunition weapons and IEDsref>"US Confirms Anti-ISIS Operation Success in Iraq". U.S. Central Command. 2020-07-28.</ref> leaving the Islamic State weakened and take longer to recuperate and weakened[7]. Although ISIS intensified their campaign during COVID-19 launching over 600 attacks in retaliation including suicide bombings and assault on government targets.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "US Confirms Anti-ISIS Operation Success in Iraq". United States Central Command. 2020-07-28.
  2. ^ Al-Taie, By Khalid (2020-06-23). "Iraqi Forces Launch Operation Against ISIS Remnants". Diyaruna. Al-Mashareq.
  3. ^ Al-Taie, By Khalid (2020-06-23). "Iraqi Forces Launch Operation Against ISIS Remnants". Diyaruna. Al-Mashareq.
  4. ^ "Iraqi PM Visits Kirkuk During Anti-ISIS Campaign". Rudaw. 2020-06-02.
  5. ^ "Iraqi Forces Continue Anti-ISIS Sweep". Al-Mashareq. 2020-07-07.
  6. ^ "Iraqi Security Forces Hunt Daesh in Diyala for Heroes of Iraq 4". Operation Inherent Resolve. U.S. Central Command. 2020-07-28.
  7. ^ https://kirkuknow.com/en/news/62880