CIAO DATE: 08/2014
June 2007
Institute for the Study of War
On February 10, 2007, when General David Petraeus replaced General George Casey as overall U.S. commander in Iraq, it signified a change in focus from training Iraqi forces and transferring responsibility to more traditional counterinsurgency operations. Operations in Iraq prior to this shift in leadership and did however, establish preconditions for the Baghdad Security Plan’s potential success. Reviewing engagements that occurred between November 2006 and February 2007 highlight the enemy’s methods of operation and sophistication. Understanding these interactions between coalition and enemy forces places the Baghdad Security Plan in context and provides insights that may be helpful in directing future operations.
Resource link: Al Qaeda in Iraq Attacks on Bridges [PDF] - 26K