The Battle of Ankawa was a three-day armed confrontation fought between the Xoshnaw Brigades and the Assyrian Defense Units against militants of Hawpa in the district of Ankawa, located near Erbil in northern Iraq. The battle is considered one of the most intense urban engagements in the region during the Hawpa Insurgency.

On 14 March 2024, Hawpa forces launched a coordinated assault on Ankawa’s eastern perimeter, targeting checkpoints held by the Xoshnaw Brigades. Initial advances allowed Hawpa fighters to penetrate several residential blocks.

Reinforcements from the Assyrian Defense Units arrived, stabilizing defensive lines. Heavy street fighting ensued, with both sides engaging in close-quarters combat. Air reconnaissance provided limited support to defending forces.

By 16 March, defending forces initiated a counteroffensive, reclaiming lost territory. Hawpa fighters began retreating after sustaining heavy casualties.

The battle ended in a defensive victory for the Xoshnaw Brigades and Assyrian Defense Units. Although Ankawa remained under their control, the area suffered significant infrastructural damage. The engagement highlighted the vulnerability of urban centers to insurgent attacks and led to increased security measures in the region.

The Battle of Ankawa is often cited as a turning point in local resistance efforts against Hawpa, strengthening coordination between regional defense groups.