Operation Phantom Linebacker was a military operation in Iraq carried out jointly by Coalition forces and the Iraqi military to reinforce the Iraq–Syria border. The operation was put in place at the request of the Iraqi government, which claimed that large numbers of foreign militants and weapons were entering the country through the border, although this was disputed by the U.S. military, which maintained that Iraq's insurgency was largely homegrown.
Until 2003, the border had been patrolled by paramilitary units and local towns. The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq caused this system to collapse. As a result, supporters of the deposed government of Saddam Hussein were feared to be streaming across the border.
Military Units Involved
;US forces reported to be involved were
- 3rd Brigade, United States Army
- 2nd Infantry Division (United States)
;Iraqi Units involved
- Iraqi National Guard
- Iraqi Border Police
Casualties
No US, Coalition or Iraqi casualties or deaths were reported during the operation.