The 2005 Battle of Tal Afar, with Retired Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster

About this episode

Retired Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster discusses the 2005 Battle of Tal Afar and its significance in counterinsurgency operations.

In 2005, then Colonel H. R. McMaster commanded the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment during the Battle of Tal Afar. At the time, the city was a key stronghold for al-Qaeda in Iraq and a staging ground for fighters and suicide bombers crossing into northwestern Iraq from Syria. Operation Restoring Rights was launched to clear insurgents, restore order, and protect the civilian population from the sectarian violence ravaging the city. It is often referenced as a model example of the clear, hold, build approach to counterinsurgency. McMaster joins this episode to share his uniquely insightful perspective on the battle—how the fight was shaped by lessons from Fallujah, how his team integrated Iraqi security forces and tribal leaders, and how planning focused not just on clearing the city but holding it and restoring life afterward.

People in this episode

Guest: H. R. McMaster

Topics covered

• Battle of Tal Afar
• counterinsurgency
• Iraq War
• al-Qaeda
• Operation Restoring Rights

Keywords

• insurgents
• Iraqi security forces
• tribal leaders
• sectarian violence

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iraq, Syria, Fallujah

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