How iran closed the mosul horseshoe and changed iraq war

What a fascinating topic!

In 2008, Iran's military intervention in the Iraq War, specifically in the Battle of Basra, had a significant impact on the conflict. One of the key consequences was the closure of the "Mosul Horseshoe," a strategic region in northern Iraq that had been a major battleground.

Here's a brief background:

• In 2003, the US-led coalition invaded Iraq, overthrowing Saddam Hussein's regime. However, the insurgency that followed was brutal and prolonged.
• In 2006, the US military began to shift its focus from Baghdad to the north, where Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) was gaining strength. The US launched Operation Phantom Thunder, which aimed to secure the capital city of Mosul and surrounding areas.
• Meanwhile, Iran was supporting various Shia militias in Iraq, including the Mahdi Army, led by Moqtada al-Sadr. These militias were fighting against the US and its allies, as well as against AQI.

The Battle of Basra (2008):

• In March 2008, the US military launched Operation Fardh al-Qanu, a major offensive to secure the city of Basra, which was under the control of the Mahdi Army.
• The US and its allies, including the Iraqi government, faced fierce resistance from the Mahdi Army and other Shia militias.
• Iran responded by sending military advisors and supplies to the Mahdi Army, which significantly bolstered their capabilities.

The closure of the Mosul Horseshoe:

• As the US and its allies pushed into Basra, the Mahdi Army and other Shia militias began to withdraw from the city, ceding control to the Iraqi government.
• However, the Mahdi Army and other Shia militias continued to operate in the surrounding regions, including the Mosul Horseshoe, a strategic area that controlled access to Mosul and the Syrian border.
• In response to the US and Iraqi government's gains in Basra, Iran decided to close the Mosul Horseshoe, effectively cutting off the US and its allies' supply lines and communication routes.
• This move allowed Iran to maintain its influence in the region and prevent the US and its allies from gaining a foothold in the north.

Consequences:

• The closure of the Mosul Horseshoe had significant consequences for the Iraq War:
  • It allowed Iran to maintain its influence in Iraq, which has continued to this day.
  • It prevented the US and its allies from gaining a strategic foothold in the north, which would have allowed them to exert greater control over the country.
  • It led to a shift in the balance of power in Iraq, with the Shia-dominated government gaining more control over the country.
  • It also led to a rise in violence and instability in the region, as various factions vied for power and influence.

In summary, Iran's military intervention in the Battle of Basra and the subsequent closure of the Mosul Horseshoe had a profound impact on the Iraq War, allowing Iran to maintain its influence in the region and preventing the US and its allies from gaining a strategic foothold in the north.