October 1–3, 2004. In the run up to the January 2005 Iraqi election, the Iraqi Interim Government and the Coalition began a campaign to clear Samarra and Fallujah of JTJ and other insurgent’s control, thereby ending the violence towards security forces and civilians and securing the election. US and Iraqi forces liberated Samarra after 3 days of fighting, resulting in 127 terrorists and other insurgents killed with a further 60 wounded and 128 captured, Coalition forces lost 1 killed and 8 wounded.
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The Battle of Samarra, alternatively known as Operation Baton Rouge, unfolded in 2004 amid the Iraq War. Post the insurgent capture of Fallujah and Ramadi, Samarra, a central city in Iraq, also succumbed to insurgent control. As a preliminary step to regain Fallujah, a combined force of 5,000 American and Iraqi troops launched an assault on Samarra on October 1, managing to secure the city after three days of intense combat.
In September, dialogues with local commanders had led to the formation of a city council intended to govern Samarra. However, the insurgent takeover disrupted this arrangement, leading to a breakdown in the agreement. With insurgents infiltrating city governance, Samarra descended into the hands of the Iraqi insurgency. The city witnessed an increased presence of fighters loyal to the insurgents, including those linked to Abu Musab Zarqawi, and a rise in attacks against American and Iraqi forces. This escalating situation prompted American commanders to strategize the city’s recapture ahead of the impending Fallujah operation.
On October 1, the Iraqi 36th Commando Battalion successfully took the Golden Mosque in the city, detaining 25 insurgents and discovering weapons stockpiles. Given the mosque’s status as the third holiest site in Shia Islam, any damage to it would have sparked considerable controversy. Other sections of the Iraqi army secured another significant site, the Great Mosque of Samarra.
On the same day, American units including 1-26th INF and 1-14 INF secured the primary bridge over the Tigris River, confronting and neutralizing insurgents using speedboats for weapons transport. Supporting the American and Iraqi troops were M1 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley fighting vehicles, and various units including the 25th ID 2nd BCT, 1-14th INF, and the 1st ID 2nd BCT. Their objective was to secure key government and police structures. Following intense urban combat, the allied forces managed to control approximately half of Samarra by the end of the first day. The battle, covered live by CNN reporter Jane Arraf, continued for an additional two days until the entire city was secured.
The operation led to the seizure of around 90 weapons caches. In the battle’s aftermath, American forces initiated security measures, bolstered local police units, and invested significantly in public works projects and healthcare facilities. Despite these efforts, the city experienced the bombing of the Golden Mosque in February 2006, underscoring the persistent security challenges.
- Read the personal experience paper titled Operation Baton Rouge by Sergeant Major Luis A. Rivera, USASMA Class 57.