US-led Multi-National Forces Iraq continue the attack on enemy forces in Operation Phantom Thunder. The operation includes multiple efforts including: Operation Arrowhead Ripper, in and around Baqubah in the Diyala province; Operation Marne Torch, in Arab Jabour outside of Baghdad; Operation Commando Eagle in Mahmudiyah and other operations in the Anbar province, as well as Sadr City within Baghdad.

MNF-I has reported enemy casualties to number around 90 since the operations began. This includes 17 al-Qaeda terrorists attempting to by-pass a check-point outside Baqubah on Saturday. On Friday, it was reported that much of the al-Qaeda leadership had fled Baqubah in the days before the operation began. In Baghdad, MNF-I forces are said to have detained enemy with ties to Iran.

Michael Yon, embedded with forces engaged in Operation Arrowhead Ripper, has outstanding coverage of the battle thus far. And Bill Roggio has detailed coverage of the broad spectrum of Operation Phantom Thunder.

Sixty enemy combatants were killed near the Pakistani border in what was described as the largest crossing in six months. The enemy combatants are described as having attacked NATO and Afghan positions and aircraft. Col. Martin P. Schweitzer is reported to have said “These individuals clearly had weapons and used them against our aircraft as well as shooting rockets against our positions … This required their removal from the battle-space.”

The attack reportedly took place in the Bermel district of Paktika province. Pakistan reported that 9 civilians were killed by a rocket which hit a home in Pakistan.

Elsewhere in the Chora district of Uruzgan province, Australian and Dutch forces reported “heavy fighting” in the streets and killing two mullahs.