Operation Viking Hammer

DATE: 14/08/2025

TIME (GMT): 18:00

ERA: Modern

MAP(S): Farabad

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Jarvis for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 55 / 59

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RATING: (19)

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Operation Viking Hammer took place in March of 2003 during the Iraq War. It was an unconventional warfare operation which aimed to eliminate the militant group, Ansar al-Islam, from northern Iraq, also known as Iraqi Kurdistan. Ansar al-Islam was established by former Al-Qaeda members in December of 2001, having carved out the 'Islamic Emirate of Kurdistan' around the border town of Halabja from 2001 to 2003. The Peshmerga, the internal security forces of the Kurdistan region, had been in conflict with Ansar al-Islam since it was established. The operation called for an ad hoc force of American special forces inserted into Northern Iraq to assist the Peshmerga in eradicating Ansar al-Islam in order to secure the Kurdish rear areas and free Kurdish forces to take part in the advance southwards as part of the wider Iraq War.

On the day of the battle, the first Ansar al-Islam stronghold of Gulp would be assaulted by a six pronged advance, made up of several ODAs from 3rd battalion, 10th SFG and upwards of 1,000 Peshmerga. The defenders were well dug in, although after short but vicious fighting around the town, Ansar al-Islam forces were routed by US airstrikes. Having lost control over Gulp, the majority of Ansar al-Islam forces retreated towards the town of Sargat to make a final stand. Back on the move, Coalition forces were again pinned down by machine gun and mortar fire from Sargat for several hours, however, once Peshmerga artillery was brought up Ansar al-Islam forces fell back from the town while under sniper fire and braving US aircraft. Coalition forces would continue to pursue what was left of Ansar al-Islam through the mountains as it fled towards the Iranian border, however, many were sent back across the border and were later captured by Kurdish forces.

Operation Viking Hammer had eliminated Ansar al-Islam's presence in northern Iraq, and allowed Kurdish units to join the fight against Iraqi troops in northern Iraq. No Americans were killed during the battle, with the Peshmerga suffering 3 dead, 23 wounded. Around 150-200 Ansar al-Islam members died during the battle as well as during the Coalitions pursuit of the group through the mountains, furthermore, those who survived were either captured by Kurdish forces or managed to flee to Iran successfully.

04:00 Hours, Halabja, Iraqi Kurdistan, 28th March, 2003 - American Special Forces participate in a joint operation with the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Unit to stamp out the Ansar al-Islam group within Iraqi Kurdistan.