Operation Phantom Strike

Part of the Iraq War

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles, Warrant Officer Eric Barreras, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, and Lt. Col. Richard Kim walk toward the helipad at Combat Outpost Callahan in North Baghdad, Iraq.

Date	15 August 2007–January 2008
Location	Iraq
Result	Al-Qaeda terrorist network disrupted

Belligerents

United States Army

New Iraqi Army

Islamic State of Iraq
Other Iraqi Insurgents

Commanders and leaders

Abboud Qanbar

David Petraeus

unknown

Strength

16,000+

unknown

Casualties and losses

11 killed (U.S.)

330+ killed, 83 captured

Operation Phantom Strike was a major offensive launched by the Multi-National Corps - Iraq on 15 August 2007 in a crackdown to disrupt al-Qaeda insurgents in Iraq (ISI) and Shia extremist operations in Iraq. It consisted of a number of simultaneous operations throughout Iraq focused on pursuing remaining ISI terrorists and Iranian-supported extremist groups. It was concluded in January 2008 and followed up with Operation Phantom Phoenix.

In mid-October 2006, al-Qaeda announced the creation of Islamic state of Iraq (ISI), replacing the Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) and its al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).

Two major combined Coalition-Iraqi Security Force offensive operations launched in early-to-mid-2007, Operation Law and Order in Baghdad and Operation Phantom Thunder in the belts surrounding the capital, reduced the effectiveness of extremist groups throughout Iraq, denied insurgents safe havens, support zones and supply lines. A number of significant ISI and Shia extremist leaders were captured or killed, and large segments of the Iraqi population liberated from ISI intimidation.

The operation was announced by President of the United States George W. Bush on 18 August 2007 in his radio address. In his words,

In recent months, American and Iraqi forces have struck powerful blows against al Qaeda terrorists and violent extremists in Anbar and other provinces. In recent days, our troops and Iraqi allies launched a new offensive called Phantom Strike. In this offensive, we are carrying out targeted operations against terrorists and extremists fleeing Baghdad and other key cities -- to prevent them from returning or setting up new bases of operation. The terrorists remain dangerous and brutal, as we saw this week when they massacred more than 200 innocent Yezidis, a small religious minority in northwestern Iraq. Our hearts go out to the families of those killed, and our troops are going to go after the murderers behind this horrific attack.

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Wikipedia