Military offensive conducted by the United States and supported by Iraqi forces against Al Qaeda insurgents Offensive was launched on September 1, 2005 Objective: Destroy suspected insurgent havens and base operations in Tel Afar City of over 150,000 people. The operation in Tal Afar has been well planned in advance. The preparation includes: 1) Berms ( level spaced barrier to separate two areas) were constructed to ring the city. 2) Checkpoints on roadways 3) Two battalions of Iraqi troops from the 3rd Division were moved to the region. 4) Concertina wire (razor wire, the modern day equivalent of barbed wire) and other obstacles have been assembled around insurgent dominated Sarai neighborhood. 5) A camp was established to screen citizens and identify insurgents. The offensive is not to just clear the insurgents from the city, but also trap them in the city and defeat them. Surround the insurgents and force them to fight. Sarai district in city is where the insurgents holdout is American/Iraqi forces: secure city allow no one to escape Lasted from September 1- September 18 Fighting was heavy between two sides in the city. The Americans secured the city on September 3 rd but fighting continued until the 18 th Involved: 5,000 Iraqi forces- 3,500 USA forces Insurgents: Unknown Casualties: USA 6 KIA Iraqi forces: 15 KIA USA 52 WIA Iraqi 36 WIA Insurgents: 163 KIA/ 295 captured