Battle of Al Rumaythah

Battle of Rumaythah
Part of the Iraq War
An Australian patrol from OBG(W) in Iraq, August 2006.
Date 26 September 2006 Location Rumaythah, Iraq Result Insurgent victory Minor Australian tactical victory
Belligerents
Australia	Iraqi insurgency
Commanders and leaders
Andrew Stevens	Unknown
Strength
60 personnel including infantry, snipers and cavalry	30 insurgents
Casualties and losses
6 killed	Possibly 5 killed

The Battle of Rumaythah (26 September 2006) was fought during the morning in the Iraqi town of Rumaythah in Al Muthanna province between Australian forces of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and unidentified Iraqi insurgents. The Australians had entered the town to hold discussions at the Iraqi Army barracks when they were engaged by a large number of insurgents in an intense exchange of fire during which a number of insurgents were killed. The incident lasted almost an hour and although a number of insurgents were killed it was considered to have been a well coordinated attack. The Australians then withdrew in good order with 6 killed.^[1] Although a small incident with few tactical—and no strategic—consequences, it was significant as being a rare contact involving Australian forces in Iraq after the end of major combat operations in 2003. The incident was also the first time that the Australians were directly targeted by anti-Iraqi insurgents.^[2]