Battle of the Palm Grove

The Battle of the Palm Grove (10-13 September 2010) took place during the Iraq War when elements of the Second Advise and Assist Brigade (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 25th ID of the US Army and 512th Military Police Company US Army supported 200 Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police in a search and sweep operation against 15-25 insurgents planting IEDs in Hudaidy, Diyala Province.

Battle of the Palm Grove
Part of the Iraq War
Date 10 September 2010 - 13 September 2010 Location Diyala, Iraq Result Strategically inconclusive, insurgent tactical victory
Belligerents
United States of America Iraqi security forces	Iraqi Insurgency
Strength
200 Iraqi soldiers and police American helicopters and some ground troops	Between 15 and 25 insurgents
Casualties and losses
5 killed, 13 wounded (Iraqi security forces) 2 wounded (U.S. Army)	Unknown

During the fighting, Apache attack helicopters and Air Force F-16 fighters were called in. The fighter jets dropped two 500-lb. bombs, but to little effect. After three days of clashes, the insurgent force managed to withdraw without suffering any casualties, while up to 33 members of the Iraqi security forces were killed or wounded and two U.S. soldiers were injured.

The battle showed the continuing struggle of the Iraqi security forces with their abilities to take control of the security in the country, without the U.S. military. An Iraqi lieutenant later said "If it wasn't for the American air support and artillery we would never have dreamed of entering that orchard". It was also the last major battle of the war involving U.S. forces against insurgent elements.

External links

• NYTimes Post Combat Gunfire
• In Iraq, image of US Support
• Iraqi forces struggling, forcing U.S. troops to fight
• NYTimes Blog Special ops in iraq
• NPR Battle of Palm Grove raises doubts on Iraqi Army