Battle of Abu Ghraib

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Battle of Abu Ghraib
Part of
Abu Ghraib prison during the 2 April 2005 attack.
DateApril 2, 2005
Location
Abu Ghraib, Iraq
Result United States victory
Belligerents
 United States

Iraqi insurgents
:

  • Al Qaeda in Iraq[1]
Commanders and leaders
Ammar Hamza Zubaidi [2][3]
Casualties and losses
44+ wounded[1][3][4] 70 killed (US estimate)

The Battle of Abu Ghraib took place between Iraqi Mujahideen and United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison on April 2, 2005.

Mujahideen linked to

improvised explosive devices.[4] The attack was successfully repelled by the US forces after 40 minutes of fighting, resulting in 44 wounded in action
and an estimated 70 insurgents killed.

Background

Iraqi insurgents.[citation needed
]

By the later half of 2004, violence in Iraq was at a low point, and one of the main insurgent groups making attacks,

car bombs.[3] An internet posting by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in December 2004 stated that Abu Ghraib prison was a target for attack.[2]

Assault

At approximately 7:06 p.m. (

UTC+3) on April 2, 2005, a large group of insurgents launched an attack on Camp Redemption, with initial thrust of the attack consisting of multiple rockets and mortars aimed at every area of the US facility.[5] The barrage was quickly followed by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacking the northwest section of the outer wall perimeter, but detonated approximately 100 meters from the wall, and was unsuccessful in creating a breach. Observers noted the attack was well-organized and professional and, due to the broad-daylight preparations, it was also called audacious and brazen.[4][2] The attack surprised the US forces as this was the first time that Al-Qaeda in Iraq had directly assaulted the US military, and soldiers present stated that the insurgents had so much firepower that it seemed that over 300 people were attacking.[3][5]

The

115th Combat Support Hospital. These soldiers resupplied ammunition
, evacuated casualties, resupplied water to entrenched soldiers, and held various defensive positions throughout the base.

During the assault, US units patrolling the area surrounding Abu Ghraib prison were also under attack, including

7.62 machine guns
.

Inside the detention facility, the 306th Military Police Battalion scrambled to maintain effective security and control over the 3,000 detainees housed in Camp Redemption.

Initial Reaction Force
(IRF) within 5 minutes.

The heaviest fighting occurred for a period of two and a half hours until approximately 9:45 p.m, when the insurgents were eventually suppressed and forced to retreat by the arrival of two

Iraqi National Police discovered that two dead bodies of insurgents were rigged with 120 mm mortar cartridges, and evacuated US personnel from the area. Investigators found more than 100 mortars and rockets and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired at Camp Redemption by the insurgents. Three tents for detainees were destroyed when rioters set them ablaze with tent poles wrapped in burning rags, but damage to the facility was minor.[5]

Aftermath

Casualties

No US personnel were reported killed in the battle, but approximately 44 were wounded in action during the fighting, with several seriously injured enough to be helicoptered out of Abu Ghraib by the 128th Medical Company attached to the 115th Field Hospital. 12 prisoners were also wounded.[7] The US estimated 70 insurgents were believed to have been killed in the battle. The remains of a VBIED driver were recovered inside the prison walls, and other remains away from the prison were confirmed by the tankers that were hit by VBIEDs as well.[8]

Several soldiers involved received medals for valor during the attack, including five members of the 102nd Field Artillery.

Army Commendation Medal
with a "V" device for valor. Specialist McClellan of the Virginia National Guard, the soldier who contained the prison break, was later awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a "V" device.

Responsibility

Al-Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their motivation was the plight of Muslims held at the prison and hoping to free one of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's commanders detained there. They also intended to intimidate the US forces by demonstrating that no place in Iraq was safe, promising further attacks.[3][1] Al-Qaeda in Iraq publicly posted a video of the attacks and the preparations.[2] Three days after the battle, a car bomb exploded near the prison, injuring 4 Iraqi civilians.[10]

Units involved

  • 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, USAF
  • 108th Military Police Co (Airborne/Air Assault)

References

  1. ^ a b c "Al-Qaida group claims attack on Abu Ghraib". NBC News. 2005-04-03. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  2. ^ a b c d Lisa Myers (2005-04-07). "Zarqawi posts Abu Ghraib attack video on web". NBC News. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Ellen Knickmeyer (2005-04-05). "Zarqawi Said to Be Behind Iraq Raid". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  4. ^ a b c "US troops hit in Abu Ghraib attack". Al Jazeera. 2005-04-04. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  5. ^ a b c d e Sgt. Michael J. Carden (2005-04-13). "Marines Relate Events of Abu Ghraib Attack". Multinational Corps-Iraq Public Affairs Office. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  6. ^ "Marines provide Delaram II security".
  7. ISBN 978-1250006967
    , p.78
  8. ^ "Al-Qaida claims attack on Abu Ghraib". NBC News. April 3, 2005. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  9. ^ LTC Paul Smith (2005-11-02). "102nd Field Artillery Soldiers Earn Combat Awards". Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  10. ^ Mariam Fam (2005-04-05). "4 Iraqi civilians hurt in suicide blast near Abu Ghraib prison". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-06-03.

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