Key Facts
- Operation number (Iraq War)
- 381st listed operation
- Insurgents killed (verified)
- 6
- Insurgents captured
- 39
- Combat operations ended
- 10 April 2007
- Weapon systems used
- U.S. warplanes firing Hellfire missiles
Strategic Narrative Overview
U.S., Polish, and Iraqi troops conducted joint combat operations against Sadrist gunmen in and around Al Diwaniyah in April 2007. U.S. warplanes supported ground forces by striking insurgent positions with Hellfire missiles. By 7 April 2007, Iraqi officials confirmed six insurgents killed and 39 captured. The multi-national character of the operation reflected the coalition framework governing security responsibilities in southern Iraq at the time.
01 / The Origins
Operation Black Eagle arose from the broader instability of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began in 2003. In Al Diwaniyah, the capital of Iraq's Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate, gunmen loyal to anti-American Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had established a significant presence. Coalition forces identified the city as a flashpoint requiring direct military intervention to reassert control and reduce Sadrist influence in southern Iraq.
03 / The Outcome
Combat operations were declared complete on 10 April 2007, after which the mission transitioned to a reconstruction phase. The operation resulted in verified coalition gains: six insurgents killed and 39 captured. No information on coalition casualties was reported. The shift to reconstruction indicated an intent to stabilize Al Diwaniyah following the clearance of Sadrist fighters from the city.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
3 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent