Battle of Baiji (2014–15)
| Battle of Baiji (2014–15) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Iraq War (2014–present), the Military intervention against ISIL, and the Salahuddin campaign (2014–15) |
|||||||
 Baiji's oil facilities were one of the most intensely contested areas during the fighting against ISIL |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Iraq IranAirstrikes:  United States United Kingdom Canada
|
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
|
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi Col. Saleh Jaber Maj. Gen. Ayub Khalif † Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani Hadi al-AmiriQais Khazali  Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis
|
Abu Suleiman al-Naser (Replacement Military Chief) Abu Nabil(ISIL governor of the Saladin Governorate) Abu Ibrahim al-Shishani †(ISIL commander of the Baiji Oil Refinery forces) Khalaf Eidan † (ISIL Emir of Baiji)
|
||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
Iraq:
Iran: United States: United Kingdom: Canada: |
Military of ISIL
|
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
15,000 fighters
|
1,500+ fighters | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2500+ killed, hundreds + wounded | 1,920+ killed | ||||||
| 7 civilians executed by ISIL | |||||||
Iraq:
Iran:
United States:
United Kingdom:
Canada:
15,000 fighters
The Battle of Baiji (2014–15) was a battle that took place in Baiji, Iraq, lasting from late December 2014 to late October 2015. It gave Iraqi forces complete control of the highway stretching from Baghdad to Baiji, and will allow Iraqi forces to use Baiji as a base for launching a future assault on Mosul.
On November 14, it was reported that the Iraqi Army had taken full control of the city, forcing ISIL forces to withdraw.
On 18 November, the anti-terrorism force Mosul Battalion entered Baiji refinery for the first time since June. However, this could not be confirmed independently. If confirmed, it would be a major victory for Iraqi forces. Iraqi State television said that they had entered the gates of the refinery. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Iraqi forces were in full control of Baiji. Iraqi state television said Baiji's recapture was a "Graveyard for ISIS". Later, the US Department of State congratulated the Iraqi forces for retaking the country's largest oil refinery, confirming the Iraqi victory.
On November 20, An RAF Tornado GR4 attacked three buildings occupied by ISIL militants in support to Iraqi ground forces, which were countering ISIL activity in the vicinity of the Baiji oil refinery.
By 25 November, fighting in the city center continued, with ISIL fighters still being present in four out of 12 of Baiji's neighborhoods. The militants were also continuing to hold positions at the refinery's perimeter.
On December 7, Two RAF Tornado GR4's provided air support for Iraqi ground forces under fire from ISIL terrorists, in the vicinity of Baiji, destroying an ISIL position and then using a Brimstone missile.
Between 13 and 18 December, ISIL recaptured seven neighborhoods, including the central part of the city, after Iraqi government forces retreated, due to a lack of support and ammunition.
On 21 December, ISIL forces recaptured the city of Baiji. ISIL forces also managed to re-establish a siege of the Baiji Oil Refinery.
On 23 December 2014, Iraqi forces and Shi'ite militia fighters launched an assault on the city of Baiji, after having lost control of the city to ISIL forces only two days earlier.
On 16 January 2015, A patrol of Tornado GR4's, operating near Baiji in support of Iraqi ground forces, attacked three ISIL positions with Paveway IV laser-guided bombs. A fourth position nearby was attacked shortly afterwards.
On February 4, 2015, a pair of Tornado GR4's conducted an armed reconnaissance patrol over Baiji in support of Iraqi ground forces. Two ISIL armoured vehicles were identified in a building and were attacked with two Paveway IV laser-guided bombs, scoring two direct hits.
...
Wikipedia