[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Operation Telic: summary reports

Coalition troops defeated an attack by paramilitary forces northwest of Mosul.

23/24 April 2003

Australia dispatched an Air Traffic Control Group to support aircraft operations at Baghdad International Airport until the restoration of civilian air traffic control is possible.

Coalition forces detained Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister.

22/23 April 2003

The Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon MP, began a visit to British forces in southern Iraq.

Coalition forces detained:

Muzahim Sa’b Hassan al-Tikriti, the Air Defence Force Commander
Zuhayr Talib Abd al Sattar al Naqib, Director of Military Intelligence
Muhammad Mahdi al-Salih, the Minister of Trade
Salim Sa’id Khalaf Al-Jumayli, the chief of the Iraqi Intelligence Service's American Desk

Three US Marines were killed, and others injured, in an ordnance accident at Al Kut.

21/22 April 2003

Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy teams continued work to clear the waterways of southern Iraq to reopen additional shipping channels.

Jamal Mustafa Abdullah Sultan al-Tikriti, deputy chief of the tribal affairs office, and Mohammed Hamza al-Zubeidi, a Ba'ath Party commander and former deputy prime minister, were detained by Coalition forces. An estimated US $600 million was found concealed behind false walls in Baghdad.

Perhaps around a million Shia pilgrims reached Karbala, a festival surpressed by Saddam Hussein's regime.

20/21 April 2003

Muhammad Hazmaq al Zubaydi, the Central Euphrates regional commander, was detained by Coalition forces. General Garner, the head of the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Aid, visited Baghdad, accompanied by his UK deputy, Major General Cross, and other members of his team. They conducted liaison visits to hospitals, a sewage treatment plant and a power station.

19/20 April 2003

The former Iraqi Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abd al-Khaliq Abd Al-Gafar, was detained by Coalition forces.

Australian forces concluded Operation Baghdad Assist with the delivery of medical supplies to hospitals in An Nasiriyah, where US forces had made significant progress in restoring water supplies, with a water plant and four pumping and treatment plants back in service.

Kuwaiti aid for the animals of Baghdad zoo was delivered safely.

18/19 April 2003

Following repair work by British troops, the railway between Umm Qasr and Basrah reopened, providing both efficient movement of supplies and humanitarian aid from the port to the city, and also transport for the local population. A reverse osmosis water purification plant began operations, providing additional potable water in the Basrah area.

17/18 April 2003

Samir Abd al-Aziz al-Najim, a senior Ba'ath Party official, was captured by Iraqi Kurds near Mosul and handed over to Coalition forces. Khala Khadr Al-Salahat, a member of the Abul Nidal terrorist organization, surrendered to US Marines in Baghdad. Hikmat Mizban Ibrahim al-Azzawi, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economics and Finance, was also taken into Coalition custody.

The US 4th Infantry Division cleared a route from Al Taji to Samarra.

Six power plants in Baghdad were restored to operation, and international medical teams continued to make good progress in rehabilitating hospitals.

16/17 April 2003

Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Barzan Ibrahim Hasan, was captured by Coalition forces. The US 4th Infantry Division commenced operations north of Baghdad, engaging an armoured force at Al Taji. US General Franks, commanding CENTCOM, visited Baghdad to thank troops for their achievements and consult with Coalition commanders.

15/16 April 2003

Security in the northern cities of Dahuk, Arbil, Mosul and Kirkuk continued to improve, allowing greater ease of access for humanitarian work.

The remnants of the Iraqi 12th Armoured Brigade surrendered at Ar Ramadi, west of Baghdad. The US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force continued operations both within Baghdad and to the east of the city, as well as at Tikrit. British troops secured Al Qurnah, midway between Basrah and Al Amarah. Good progress continued to be made in restoring the permanent water infrastructure in Basrah and Az Zubayr.

The international humanitarian aid effort continued to flow into the country, particularly medical teams and supplies.

14/15 April 2003

Operations continued in northern Iraq to extend the area controlled by Coalition forces around Arbil, Mosul and Kirkuk. Emergency supplies of fresh water were delivered around Kirkuk, pending the recommissioning of water infrastructure.

Clearance operations also continued in Baghdad and Tikrit, with numerous arms caches recovered. A local police force was mustered in As Samawah, and police officers conducted joint patrols with US forces in Baghdad.

British, Australian and US naval forces continued work to clear the channel into the port of Az Zubayr at Basrah, dealing with both the threat of mines and derelict ships and wrecks.

13/14 April 2003

US Marines entered Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town, and secured the Presidential palace, encountering only limited resistance. In Baghdad, military engineers worked with local officials to restore power and water supplies.

In southern Baghdad, a man suspected of being the terrorist Abu Abbas was arrested.

12/13 April 2003

An Australian C-130 flew medical supplies into Baghdad International Airport.

In Basrah, local police patrols were resumed under the close supervision of British troops.

11/12 April 2003

In the west of Iraq, operations were successfully conducted around Al Qa'im and 15 Iraqi combat aircraft were captured at Al Asad airfield. Operations continued in Baghdad and to the south of the city to improve security to allow humanitarian aid deliveries. The Presidential Scientific Adviser, Amir Hamudi Hasan al-Sadi, surrendered to Coalition troops in Baghdad.

1(UK) Armoured Division and US Marines continued work to link the secured areas around Basrah and Al Amarah.

Australian forces commenced Operation Baghdad Assist to help deliver medical supplies to the city.

10/11 April 2003

In Baghdad, Coalition troops took the notorious Abu Ghraib prison complex, which proved to be empty. Operations also continued to increase the security of Baghdad International Airport. At Karbala, the university was cleared of regime forces.

Coalition and Kurdish forces occupied Kirkuk. A cease-fire agreement was also brokered with the Iraqi regular army's 5th Corps near Mosul.

A shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Crescent and United Arab Emirates arrived in Umm Qasr.

9/10 April 2003

US forces secured all the major routes leading into Baghdad, whilst continuing operations to eliminate resistance within the city. Around Al Hillah, the US 101st Air Assault Division continued operations against pockets of regime forces, and liberated warehouses of food hoarded by the regime.

Elements of 1(UK) Armoured Division pushed north from Basrah towards the US-held positions around Al Amarah. In the west of the country, the town of Ar Rutbah declared itself open to Coalition forces.

Mine clearance work along the southern waterways leading to Umm Qasr having been accomplished, the focus of Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy clearance teams switched to the northern waterways leading to Basrah.

8/9 April 2003

US troops consolidated their control of much of Baghdad. The 1st US Marine Expeditionary Force encountered minimal resistance from regular Army units near Al Amarah. The Marines also continued to push into south-east Baghdad.

A USAF F-15E aircraft was lost over Iraq.

The Spanish ship Galicia delivered humanitarian aid and a field hospital to Umm Qasr

7/8 April 2003

A USAF B-1B attacked a leadership target in the Al Mansur district of Baghdad. US troops held positions in central Baghdad overnight, while US Marines pushed into the city from the south-east, taking Rasheed airport. A USAF A-10 aircraft crashed near Baghdad International Airport; the pilot ejected safely.

British forces completed sweeps of Basrah to remove any pockets of regime resistance. US troops remained in combat east of Karbala, while also conducting further humanitarian operations around As Samawah.

6/7 April 2003

UK briefing in Qatar

British forces established control over a large part of the city of Basrah, with the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, clearing on foot the old quarter, inaccessible to vehicles. Two British soldiers were killed in action.

Around As Samawah, the US 82nd Airborne Division conducted humanitarian operations, while at An Najaf the 101st Air Assault Division continued its offensive against enemy positions. A Ba'ath Party headquarters at Karbala was destroyed. At Baghdad, the 3rd Infantry Division took a suspected Special Republican Guard headquarters, whilst the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force consolidated its position to the east of the city. An Iraqi armoured force was destroyed north-west of Baghdad.

RFA Sir Percivale made another large delivery of humanitarian aid supplies to Umm Qasr.

5/6 April 2003

US forces consolidated their positions around Baghdad and at the international airport, establishing control of both the south-western and south-eastern approaches to the city. Other operations continued at Karbala, An Najaf and As Samawah to eliminate regime pockets of resistance.

British forces advanced further into Basrah. A soldier from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed in action.

4/5 April 2003

US troops from 3rd Infantry Division reached the southern outskirts of Baghdad and pushed through the inner city to the international airport in the west. The build-up of forces at the airport continued.

British forces expanded the area of control northwards from the main southern oilfields near Basrah. A large number of uninterred human remains were found at a regime headquarters near Az Zubayr and are undergoing forensic examination. They appear to significantly predate the current conflict.

3/4 April 2003

The US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force inflicted further destruction on the Baghdad and Al Nida divisions of the Republican Guard near Al Kut and Baghdad. V Corps secured southern approaches to Baghdad and captured the International Airport to the west of the city.

British forces continued operations against paramilitary forces in and around Basrah, and captured a ballistic missile battery near Az Zubayr.

A suspected NBC training school was investigated by Coalition forces.

2/3 April 2003

The US V Corps drove back the Medina Division of the Republican Guard close to Baghdad and secured another crossing over the Euphrates. US forces positioned themselves on the outskirts of Baghdad. 101st Air Assault Division continued operations at An Najaf, while the 82nd Airborne Division struck Iraqi forces at As Samawah. In northern Iraq, air strikes were called in against the Iraqi 15th Mechanised Division.

Some sixty miles from Baghdad, Coalition troops raided the Tharthar Palace.

An FA-18C was shot down, and a UH-60 helicopter crashed in central Iraq.

1/2 April 2003

US troops rescued a female soldier held prisoner by the Iraqis. US Marines captured at Al Hillah two of the Al Samoud II missiles which contravened UN resolutions. British troops destroyed Iraqi artillery and missiles near Basrah.

An attack by US Marines drove back the Baghdad Division of the Republican Guard at Al Kut. V Corps engaged the Medina and Nebuchadnezzar Divisions at Karbala, as well as continuing operations to clear paramilitary forces from An Najaf, where Iraqi forces were reported to be firing from the sacred Ali Mosque.

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Iraqi prisoners of war held by Coalition forces in southern Iraq to confirm that their treatment was in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

31 March / 1 April 2003

The US 173rd Airborne Brigade completed its deployment in northern Iraq. Air attacks continued on the Republican Guard divisions around Baghdad and Tikrit. V Corps mounted simultaneous attacks at Al Hillah, Karbala and As Samawah.

Attacks on Ba'ath Party headquarters continued, some assisted by the local population. The Black Watch battle group rescued two Kenyan civilians who had been taken prisoner by Iraqi forces at Az Zubayr. British forces also destroyed an armoured force north of Basrah.

A British soldier died in an accident involving a light armoured vehicle.

30/31 March 2003

US forces captured a major Iraqi ammunition depot in central Iraq near Tallil. Other Coalition forces secured additional bridges across the Euphrates and launched offensives to isolate Iraqi forces holding out in the An Nasiriyah and As Samawah areas. V Corps bombarded the Republican Guard Medina Division.

Coalition troops seized the Hadithah dam on the Euphrates, to guard against deliberate flooding operations by the Iraqi regime.

A British soldier was killed during an explosive ordnance disposal operation in southern Iraq.

29/30 March 2003

Coalition aircraft attacked air defence, command and control, and intelligence facilities in the Baghdad area.

3 Commando Brigade launched an offensive near Basrah which secured Abu al Khasib. A Royal Marine was killed in action on the Al Faw peninsula, and a Royal Signals NCO died in a road traffic accident in Kuwait.

A fresh-water pipeline from Kuwait to Umm Qasr was completed, delivering 625,000 gallons of water per day.

28/29 March 2003

Ba'ath Party headquarters in nine locations were attacked by Coalition air and ground forces. British forces moved to interdict northern routes into Basrah. The major oil refinery at Basrah was secured.

US helicopters attacked the Republican Guard Medina division near Karbala.

US airborne forces landed in northern Iraq.

27/28 March 2003

US forces defeated further paramilitary counter-attacks north of An Najaf.

Following further mine clearance operations, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad safely arrived in Umm Qasr, delivering a major consignment of humanitarian aid.

A soldier from D Squadon, The Blues & Royals, was killed in an incident in southern Iraq.

26/27 March 2003

UK briefing in Qatar

Two mines were discovered at sea close to the swept channel leading to Umm Qasr: the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad, carrying humanitarian supplies, was delayed to allow that part of the swept channel to be checked by RN and USN minehunters.

US airborne forces landed in northern Iraq. US forces defeated attacks near An Najaf and An Nasiriyah.

A squadron of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards eliminated an Iraqi tank unit and infantry positions near Basrah without suffering any losses.

25/26 March 2003

British troops conducted effective raids against paramilitary forces in the Basrah area. US forces fought significant engagements near An Najaf and An Nasiriyah. The Ba'ath Party headquarters in As Samawah was destroyed. Iraqi tanks advancing out of Basrah were engaged and destroyed.

Command and control targets in Baghdad were attacked.

Engineering work to construct a fresh water pipeline from Kuwait into southern Iraq continued.

24/25 March 2003

Coalition air attacks continued against Republican Guard formations. British forces completed operations to secure Umm Qasr. US forces continued to advance north of An Nasiriyah. British artillery destroyed Iraqi mortars and guns that had opened fire on Iraqi civilian areas in Basrah. 3 Commando Brigade, supported by helicopters and US and UK aircraft, defeated a tank attack, destroying nineteen T-55s.

A British soldier from the Black Watch was killed in action at Al Zubayr. In a separate incident, two more soldiers were killed when their Challenger 2 tank was accidentally hit by another Challenger 2 during an engagement with Iraqi forces.

23/24 March 2003

US forces advanced beyond An Nasiriyah, while aviation forces attacked Republican Guard formations near Baghdad; one US helicopter was lost. Mine clearance operations in the southern waterways made good progress, with half the route to Umm Qasr made safe. Logistic preparations continued to allow the shipping of humanitarian supplies once the route was cleared. Basrah airport was secured.

Two British soldiers were reported missing after an attack on UK military vehicles in southern Iraq. In a separate incident, a British soldier was killed in action at Al Zubayr, near Basrah. The next of kin of all three have been informed.

22/23 March 2003

Operations to secure Umm Qasr continued. The US advance north continued but encountered stiffer resistance in some locations, including at An Nasiriyah, where twelve US troops were reported missing. US soldiers apparently captured by Iraqi forces were subsequently paraded on State television.

Sporadic resistance continued at Umm Qasr. A prisoner of war camp was under construction in the area to accommodate properly the hundreds of Iraqi troops who had surrendered in the area. Work continued to make safe the booby-trapped oil installations in southern Iraq.

An RAF GR4 Tornado aircraft from RAF Marham, which was returning from an operational mission, was engaged near the Kuwaiti border by a Patriot missile battery. Both aircrew were killed. The next of kin have been informed.

21/22 March 2003

A major air campaign was launched as ground forces continued to make good progress, aimed at several hundred military targets throughout Iraq. Coalition aircraft flew some 3,000 sorties in the air attack, and very large numbers of Tomahawk missiles were also launched from warships. The RAF's new Storm Shadow missile was successfully used for the first time on operations.

At Basrah, the Iraqi 51st Mechanised Division surrendered as US Marines and the UK's 7th Armoured Brigade secured the area. Although the oil infrastructure was confirmed to have been extensively booby-trapped, the installations were secured intact and US and British troops began clearing the demolition charges. The US V Corps secured bridges over the Euphrates in their rapid advance on Baghdad.

Royal Navy and US Navy minehunters continued clearance operations in the southern waterways to allow supplies to be shipped into Umm Qasr. In particular, RFA Sir Galahad was stood by to deliver humanitarian aid.

Two Royal Navy Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Early Warning helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf. There were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard. Two US Marines were killed in action in southern Iraq.

20/21 March 2003

3 Commando Brigade conducted an amphibious assault on the Al Faw peninsula, encountering light resistance. Casualties were inflicted on the enemy and prisoners taken. Oil infrastructure was successfully secured to prevent Saddam Hussein from attempting to release oil as an environmental weapon. Elements of 1(UK) Armoured Division also entered Iraq along with other Coalition forces, thrusting towards Basrah. US Marines seized the port of Umm Qasr and Royal Navy minehunters began work to clear the associated waterways of any mines. The 3rd US Infantry Division advanced north towards Baghdad. US troops, supported by British specialist personnel, secured olifields in the Basrah area.

US warships and Royal Navy submarines launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles at high value targets including command and control centres in Baghdad. Other Royal Navy vessels provided naval gunfire to support the advance of 3 Commando Brigade.

In the air Coalition aircraft including RAF assets were involved in a wide variety of operations. Tornado GR4s attacked key facilities and Harrier GR7s provided close air support. Other aircraft, including tankers, provided invaluable support.

A US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight with US and UK personnel aboard crashed in Kuwait; there were no survivors. Enemy action is not thought to have been the cause.

19/20 March 2003