Battle of Al Faw (2003)

Battle of Al Faw
Part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq
Al-Faw Peninsula, Iraq
Date 20–24 March 2003 Location Al Faw, Iraq Result Coalition tactical victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom  United States  Australia  Poland	Iraq
Strength
3,500	1,000+
Casualties and losses
19 killed (15 UK, 4 US)	150+ killed 440 captured

The Battle of Al Faw was one of the first battles of the Iraq War; it took place March 20-24, 2003.

One of the initial objectives of the Coalition campaign in Iraq was to capture the Gas and Oil Platforms ("GOPLATs") in the Al-Faw Peninsula intact before it could be sabotaged or destroyed by the Iraqi military. This would prevent an ecological disaster similar to the 1991 Gulf War and enable a quicker take over of Iraqi oil production.

The British Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade would also capture Umm Qasr at the same time so that its port, the only deepwater port in Iraq, could be used to bring in heavy military supplies once the Khawr Abd Allah waterway was cleared by the Mine Counter Measures Task group. The United States Marine Corps placed 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit under the command of 3 Commando Brigade so that the Brigade had the necessary force to capture both targets.