The 2008 battle of Sadr City : : reimagining urban combat / / David E. Johnson, M. Wade Markel, Brian Shannon.

• Author: Johnson, David E. 1950-2022.
• TeilnehmendeR: Markel, M. Wade.; Shannon, Brian.
• Place / Publishing House: Santa Monica, California : : RAND,, [2013]; ©2013
• Year of Publication: 2013
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (165 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

In 2008, U.S. and Iraqi forces defeated an uprising in Sadr City, a district of Baghdad with ~2.4 million residents. Coalition forces' success in this battle helped consolidate the Government of Iraq's authority, contributing significantly to the attainment of contemporary U.S. operational objectives in Iraq. U.S. forces' conduct of the battle illustrates a new paradigm for urban combat and indicates capabilities the Army will need in the future.

Table of Contents

Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Preface; Contents; Figures; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Key Individuals; Chapter One: Introduction; Background to the Study; Methodology; Monograph Organization; Chapter Two: Setting Conditions for the 2008 Battle; The Surge and the Baghdad Security Plan; Regaining Control of Baghdad and Isolating Sadr City; Summary and Conclusion; Chapter Three: Conditions on the Eve of the Battle of Sadr City; Political and Strategic Context; Physical and Human Terrain; The Combatants; Jaish al-Mahdi; Iraqi Security Forces; U.S. Forces

Pre-Deployment Training: Getting Ready for a FightThe COIN Academy: Emphasizing Restraint; A Change in Context; Summary and Conclusions; Chapter Four: The Battle Begins; JAM's Initial Onslaught; Stopping JAM; Seizing the Initiative: Operation Striker Denial; Neutralizing Enemy Rocket Attacks with Aerial ISR and Strike Assets; The First Attempt to Control Launch Sites Through Active Patrolling; Augmented U.S. Forces Seize Launch Sites South of Route Gold; The Iraqi Army Attacks to Secure Route Gold; Summary and Conclusions; Chapter Five: Defeating JAM: Operation Gold Wall

The Decision to Build a WallGoing After JAM Leaders: The MND-B ""Deep Fight""; Summary and Conclusions; Chapter Six: Exploiting the Success of Battle; The Two Components of Exploitation; Maintaining the Pressure; Exploiting Success Through Reconstruction; Summary and Conclusions; Chapter Seven: Assessing the Outcome of the Battle; Sadr City in the Aftermath of the 2008 Battle; Why Coalition Forces Prevailed; Summary and Conclusions; Chapter Eight: Reimagining Urban Combat; Key Insights from the Fight

Protecting the Population Requires a Balance Between Offensive, Defensive, and Stability OperationsPersistent ISR, Technical Intelligence, and Precision-Strike Capabilities Enable the Attacker to Seize the Initiative; Technical Capabilities Must Enable Decentralized Decision Making and Small Unit Initiative; Isolating the Enemy Enables the Counterinsurgent to Seize the Initiative; Ground Maneuver Remains Indispensable for Shaping the Battle and Achieving Decision; Heavy Armored Forces Have Enduring Utility in Counterinsurgency and Urban Operations

Integrating SOF into Conventional Operations Achieves SynergySnipers Remain an Important Enabler in Urban Operations; Enduring Success Depends on Capable Indigenous Security Forces; Urban Counterinsurgency Requires Forces to Transition Rapidly Between Offensive, Defensive, and Stability Operations; Reimagining Urban Operations as Wide-Area Security Missions; Final Thoughts; Appendix: Analysis of Contemporary Arabic Language Sources on the Battle of Sadr City; Bibliography; Index