Background
Further information: Diyala campaignIn January 2008, U.S. forces throughout Iraq launched Operation Phantom Phoenix, a corps-level operation with a significant focus on Diyala. Despite a decrease in violence, partly attributable to Awakening Councils, groups formed by Sunni sheiks and supported by American forces, attacks remained at high levels. Many of these attacks were directed at the leaders of these groups.
Insurgents retained strongholds in the western desert regions of Diyala, in the foothills of the Hamrin mountains and around Lake Hamrin. These locations were a fall-back position for al-Qaida in Iraq and other insurgent groups and were targeted by U.S. special operations forces in the months leading up to the operation.
On 25 July, U.S. forces from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 18th brigade, 5th Iraqi division, launched Operation Sabre Pursuit in Hamud (Samood), south of Balad Ruz in the east of the province.
Read more about this topic: Operation Augurs Of Prosperity
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