2007: The Surge

A new strategy

On January 10, 2007, President Bush announced the deployment of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. The change was as much about strategy as numbers. Under Gen. David Petraeus, who took command in February, U.S. forces focused on protecting the Iraqi population, living among it in joint security stations and combat outposts. The Iraqi Surge campaign began on January 10.

Baghdad

In February a new Baghdad security plan began. American and Iraqi units moved into neighborhoods across the capital. Concrete barriers divided districts to stop car bombs and sectarian death squads.

The Awakening spreads

The tribal movement that began in Anbar spread to other provinces and to Baghdad, as former insurgents and tribal fighters joined local security groups, often called Sons of Iraq, paid by the coalition.

Testimony

On September 10 and 11, 2007, Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before Congress on the progress of the surge.

The cost

2007 was one of the deadliest years of the war for American forces, even as overall violence began to fall in its second half.