British counterinsurgency in Iraq

British counterinsurgency in Iraq involved military and strategic efforts to combat insurgent groups, primarily in southern Iraq from 2003 to 2009. It combined military operations with efforts to improve governance, provide security, and foster local communities. The UK focused on intelligence gathering, targeted raids, and building relationships with local leaders to destabilize insurgents and gain their disfavor. Success depended on a balancing act—using force when necessary while supporting civilian stability and reconstruction. Overall, it aimed to reduce violence, restore order, and create conditions for political progress amid complex, asymmetric threats.