Operation Spear
Encyclopedia
Operation Spear was a United States
operation, conducted by U.S. Marines, in Karabillah, Iraq
, announced in June 2005. The main objective was to provide proof of foreign fighters, mainly Syria
n, passing through the borders between Iraq and Syria. Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion
, 25th Marines (3/25), Kilo and Weapons Companies, 3rd Battalion
, 2nd Marines (3/2) took part.
Operation Spear began on June 17, 2005. A force of about 1,000 Marines and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team 2 and Iraqi soldiers form 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade took part in the offensive . The operation took place around Karabilah near the Syrian border. Coalition leaders said that foreign fighters were using the area to infiltrate into Iraq. In the city they would receive help from other anti-Iraqi forces. From the city foreigners would spread around Iraq. They were said to be part of a terror network led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
The operation was designed to root out anti-Iraqi and anti-coalition forces and destroying some of their support system. In clearing out the city coalition forces found 4 Iraqi hostages held in a bunker in the center of the city. The forces also found and destroyed several weapons caches and improvised explosive device
s . While clearing the city Marines and Iraqi forces came under heavy fire but managed to fight off the insurgents with only one friendly killed in action. Air strikes were called in on three buildings which were subsequently destroyed. There were said to be 4 civilian casualties that were evacuated to military hospitals.
It followed Operation Lightning
and was followed by Operation Dagger
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
operation, conducted by U.S. Marines, in Karabillah, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, announced in June 2005. The main objective was to provide proof of foreign fighters, mainly Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n, passing through the borders between Iraq and Syria. Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion
3rd Battalion 25th Marines
3rd Battalion 25th Marines is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps headquartered in Brook Park, Ohio with units throughout Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. The battalion, nicknamed "three deuce five", consists of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
, 25th Marines (3/25), Kilo and Weapons Companies, 3rd Battalion
3rd Battalion 2nd Marines
3rd Battalion 2nd Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina consisting of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
, 2nd Marines (3/2) took part.
Operation Spear began on June 17, 2005. A force of about 1,000 Marines and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team 2 and Iraqi soldiers form 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade took part in the offensive . The operation took place around Karabilah near the Syrian border. Coalition leaders said that foreign fighters were using the area to infiltrate into Iraq. In the city they would receive help from other anti-Iraqi forces. From the city foreigners would spread around Iraq. They were said to be part of a terror network led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi ; October 30, 1966 – June 7, 2006), born Ahmad Fadeel al-Nazal al-Khalayleh was a Jordanian militant Islamist who ran a paramilitary training camp in Afghanistan...
The operation was designed to root out anti-Iraqi and anti-coalition forces and destroying some of their support system. In clearing out the city coalition forces found 4 Iraqi hostages held in a bunker in the center of the city. The forces also found and destroyed several weapons caches and improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s . While clearing the city Marines and Iraqi forces came under heavy fire but managed to fight off the insurgents with only one friendly killed in action. Air strikes were called in on three buildings which were subsequently destroyed. There were said to be 4 civilian casualties that were evacuated to military hospitals.
It followed Operation Lightning
Operation Lightning
Operation Lightning may refer to one of the following military operations:*A full scale amphibious landing by the 74th Indian Brigade of the British Indian Army and the 3rd Commando Brigade of the British Army in Burma during the Second World War....
and was followed by Operation Dagger
Operation Dagger
Operation Dagger took place in the southern Lake Tharthar region, in Al Anbar province and was conducted by the Regimental Combat Team-8, 2nd Marine Division....
.