Urban Warfare Project The 2005 Battle of Tal Afar, with Retired Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster
Jul 18, 2025
H. R. McMaster, a retired U.S. Army officer and former National Security Advisor, shares his firsthand insights on the 2005 Battle of Tal Afar. He discusses the significance of Operation Restoring Rights, a pivotal campaign that balanced military action with community restoration. McMaster highlights lessons learned from the battles of Fallujah, the essential role of local partnerships, and the strategies that prioritized civilian safety. He also draws parallels between Tal Afar and current urban conflicts, shedding light on the complexities of modern warfare.
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Early Tal Afar Insurgent Conditions
- Colonel McMaster found Tal Afar was a key insurgent hub used by Al-Qaeda for training and operations.
- His forces faced intense IED attacks and had to learn quickly to address the complex urban threat.
Value of Combined Arms and Reconnaissance
- Maintain combined arms and close reconnaissance despite advances in remote sensing and technology.
- Emphasize fighting for information in close contact with enemies hidden among civilians.
Building Local Governance and Security
- McMaster integrated tribal leaders, Iraqi army, and police reforms to reduce sectarian violence and build legitimacy.
- He replaced corrupt officials and arrested insurgents to unify the city under a political order.