A two-phase U.S.-led Coalition campaign in 2007 targeting Islamic State of Iraq insurgents southeast of Baghdad in Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab.
Key Facts
- Marne Torch I start date
- 16 June 2007
- Marne Torch II start date
- 15 September 2007
- Coalition troops (Torch I)
- 2000 soldiers
- Iraqi army troops (Torch I)
- 1000 soldiers
- Insurgents killed or captured (Torch II)
- 250 insurgents
- Weapon caches uncovered (Torch II)
- 40 caches
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Islamic State of Iraq and other Sunni and Shi'ia extremist groups, including insurgents with Iranian influence, had established sanctuaries in the Arab Jabour area of Babil province, fueling instability and facilitating the flow of weapons and accelerants into Baghdad.
Operation Marne Torch comprised two sequential offensives by Multinational Division Central. Marne Torch I, launched 16 June 2007, deployed 2,000 coalition and 1,000 Iraqi army soldiers to clear terrorist sanctuaries and seize weapon caches southeast of Baghdad. Marne Torch II, launched 15 September 2007 in the Hawr Rajab area, combined combat and civil-military operations against remaining insurgent networks.
Marne Torch II resulted in 250 insurgents killed or captured, the destruction of twelve boats used to transport weapons, and the uncovering of 40 weapon caches, significantly disrupting insurgent logistics and reducing the threat to Baghdad from the southeast.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent