The First Battle of Fallujah, codenamed Operation Vigilant Resolve by the United States Military, was an unsuccessful attempt by US troops to capture the city of Fallujah in April 2004, as part of the occupation of Iraq. Occupation zones in Iraq as of September 2003 The post-invasion period in Iraq followed the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition led by the United States, which overthrew the Baath Party government of Saddam Hussein. ... Image File history File links Npi040604a4b. ... The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division-sized unit in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. ... The M240, formally United States Machine Gun, 7. ... This article is about the city of Fallujah in Iraq. ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the city of Fallujah in Iraq. ... Look up Victory in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Iraq resistance movement is the armed resistance by diverse groups to the coalition occupation of Iraq. ... James Terry Conway is a Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps. ... Wikinews has news related to: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed in airstrike Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (Arabic: , , Abu Musab from Zarqa)) (October 20, 1966 – June 7, 2006) was a Jordanian who ran a militant training camp in Afghanistan alongside Osama bin Laden. ... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... Occupation zones in Iraq as of September 2003 The post-invasion period in Iraq followed the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition led by the United States, which overthrew the Baath Party government of Saddam Hussein. ... The Iraq resistance movement is the armed resistance by diverse groups to the coalition occupation of Iraq. ... Combatants Al-Qaeda in Iraq and their Iraqi Sunni allies Rogue elements among the Iraqi Shiite militias (Mahdi Army, Badr Corps) and Iraqi Security Forces Iraqi Security Forces Multi-National Force-Iraq Commanders Abu Musab al-Zarqawi† Abu Ayyub al-Masri Moqtada al-Sadr, amongst others Jalal Talabani Nouri al... // This is a list of military operations of the Iraq War. ... // Despite the end of major combat, military operations have continued to occur in Iraq. ... Car bombings are common in Iraq since the US-led invasion This is a list of major terrorist attacks of the Iraq War. ... A code name or cryptonym is a word or name used clandestinely to refer to another name or word. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... This article is about the city of Fallujah in Iraq. ... 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December Deaths in April • 18 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara • 19 Norris McWhirter • 22 Pat Tillman • 24 Estée Lauder Other recent deaths Ongoing events EU Enlargement Exploration of Mars: Rovers Haiti Rebellion Reconstruction of Iraq – Occupation & Resistance Israeli... This article deals with the post-invasion period in Iraq and its occupation. ...

The chief catalyst for the operation was the highly-publicized killing and mutilation of four Blackwater private military contractors, ^[5] and the killing of 5 U.S. soldiers in Habbaniya a few days earlier.^[6] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Catalysis. ... Combatants Blackwater USA Iraqi insurgents Commanders unknown Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Strength 4 N/A Casualties 4 killed none The 31 March 2004 Fallujah ambush saw Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah ambush a convoy containing four American private military contractors from Blackwater USA who were conducting delivery for food caterers ESS... Blackwater USA is a private military company and security firm. ... A private military contractor (PMC) is a corporation that provides armed forces trained in combat, private military, for other corporations, organizations, individuals and state military forces. ...

Events before the battle

The people of Fallujah had generally benefited under Saddam Hussein, mostly due to the high number of police, military and intelligence officers hired by his administration. However his government was still not popular in the city. ^[7] Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was the fifth President of Iraq and Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council from 1979 until his overthrow by US forces in 2003. ...

Following the collapse of the Ba'ath infrastructure in early 2003, local residents had elected a town council led by Taha Bidaywi Hamed, who kept the city from falling into the control of looters and common criminals. The town council and Hamed were both considered to be nominally pro-American, and their election originally meant that the United States had decided that the city was unlikely to become a hotbed of activity, and didn't require any immediate troop presence. This was an unfortunate mistake, that led to the United States committing far too few troops to Fallujah from the start.^[8] Baath Party flag The Ba‘ath Parties (also spelled Baath or Ba‘th; Arabic: اﻟﺒﻌﺚ) comprise political parties representing the political face of the Ba‘ath movement. ... An Iraqi, Taha Bidaywi Hamed was elected to lead the town council of Fallujah shortly before the First Battle of Fallujah broke out in 2004. ... Looting (which derives via the Hindi lut from Sanskrit lung, to rob), sacking, plundering, or pillaging is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe or riot, such as during war,[1] natural disaster,[2] or rioting. ...

Although Fallujah had seen sporadic air strikes by American forces, public opposition was not galvanized until 700 members of the 82nd Airborne Division first entered the city on April 23 2003, and approximately 150 members of Charlie Company occupied al-Qa'id primary school. On the evening of April 28, a crowd of approximately 200 people gathered outside the school, demanding that the Americans vacate the building and allow it to re-open as a school. After their smoke gas canisters failed to disperse the crowd^[9], four US soldiers stationed on the roof fired into the gathering, killing 17 and wounding more than 70 of the protesters. US forces said that the shooting took place over 30-60 seconds, while Human Rights Watch has concluded that is is more likely to have lasted approximately ten minutes.^[10] Close air support (often abbreviated CAS) is the use of military aircraft in a ground attack role against targets in close proximity to friendly troops, in support of ground combat operations. ... The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was formed originally as the 82nd Infantry Division on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ... Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A riot control agent is a type of lachrymatory agent (or lacrimatory agent). ... Human Rights Watch Banner Human Rights Watch is a United States-based international non-government organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. ...

Two days later, a protest at the former Baath party headquarters decrying the American shootings was also fired upon by U.S. troops, this time the U.S. 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, which resulted in three more deaths.^[11][12] Following both incidents, US soldiers asserted that they had not fired upon the protesters until they were first fired upon. The soldiers involved became the subject of an After Action Review. Top Left: Branch Insignia of the 3d ACR Top Right: Shoulder Sleve Insignia of the 3d ACR Bottom Right: Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 3d ACR (nicknamed the BUG) The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment is a regiment of the United States Army currently stationed at Fort Carson, southwest of Colorado... After Action Review The After Action Review, or AAR, is a structured review process used by the military that allows training participants to discover for themselves what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done better. ...

al-Qaids school

The 82nd Airborne troops were replaced by forces from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and 101st Airborne Division, and on June 4 the 3rd Armoured Cavalry was forced to request an additional 1,500 troops to help quell the growing resistance faced in Fallujah and nearby al-Habaniyya.^[13] Image File history File links AQ_fallujah_school. ... Image File history File links AQ_fallujah_school. ... The Third Armored Cavalry Regiment is a regiment of the United States Army currently stationed at Fort Carson, southwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado. ... The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)—nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles”—is an airborne division of the United States Army primarily trained for air assault operations. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lake Habbaniyah (Arabic: ‎ Hawr al-Habbaniyah) is a shallow natural lake in al-Anbar, Iraq, west of Baghdad. ...

Fallujah, December 2003

Fallujah, April 2004

In June, U.S. forces began confiscating motorcycles from local residents, claiming that they were being used in hit-and-run attacks on US troops.^[14] Downtown Fallujah, December 2003 By HHC 505th PIR From http://www. ... Downtown Fallujah, December 2003 By HHC 505th PIR From http://www. ... Image File history File links Al-fallujah_april04. ... Image File history File links Al-fallujah_april04. ... A variety of parked motorcycles A motorcycle or motorbike is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine. ...

On June 30, a large explosion occurred in a mosque in which the imam, Sheikh Laith Khalil and eight other people were killed. While the local population claimed that Americans had fired a missile at the mosque, U.S. forces claimed that it was an accidental detonation by insurgents constructing bombs.^[15] is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

On February 12, 2004, insurgents attacked a convoy carrying General John Abizaid, commander of US Forces in the Middle East, and the 82nd Airborne's Major Charles Swannack., firing on the vehicles from nearby rooftops with RPGs, after seemingly infiltrating the Iraqi security forces.^[16] February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... John Philip Abizaid (Arabic: جون أبي زيد) (born April 1, 1951) is a General in the United States Army and the Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing American military operations in a 27-country region, from the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, to South and Central Asia, covering much... The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was formed originally as the 82nd Infantry Division on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ... RPG is an abbreviation with several different meanings: Role-playing game, in which players assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create narratives Tabletop role-playing game, also called traditional roleplaying games, participants usually sit around a table and conduct the game as a small social gathering Computer role-playing...

Eleven days later, insurgents diverted Iraqi police to a false emergency on the outskirts of the city, before simultaneously attacking three police stations, the mayor's office and a civil defence base. At least 17 police officers were killed^[17], and as many as 87 prisoners released^[18].

In March 2004, Swannack transferred authority of the al-Anbar province to the I Marine Expeditionary Force commanded by Lt. General Conway. Al Anbar (Arabic: ) is a province in the nation of Iraq. ... Presumably a USA force ? // Lineage Activated November 8th, 1969 at Okinawa, Japan as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Redesignated August 18th, 1970 as the I Marine Amphibious Force Relocated in April 1971 to Camp Pendleton, California Redesignated February 5th, 1988 as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Recent Service Persian Gulf... James Terry Conway is a Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps. ...

By early March 2004, the increasing violence against the American presence in the city resulted in the complete withdrawal of troops from the city. The city began to fall under the increasing influence of guerrilla factions led by former members of the Iraqi Army.^{[citation needed]} In the days leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Iraqi Regular Army consisted of 300,000 troops, organized into 5 corps. ...

Blackwater deaths

On March 31, 2004 - Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah ambushed a convoy containing four American private military contractors from Blackwater USA who were conducting delivery for food caterers ESS^[19] March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... The Iraq resistance movement is the armed resistance by diverse groups to the coalition occupation of Iraq. ... This article is about the city of Fallujah in Iraq. ... A private military contractor (PMC) is a corporation that provides armed forces trained in combat, private military, for other corporations, organizations, individuals and state military forces. ... Blackwater USA is a private military company and security firm. ... Eurest Support Services (ESS), a subsidiary of the giant catering company, the Compass Group. ...

The four armed contractors, Scott Helvenston, Jerko Zovko, Wesley Batalona and Michael Teague, were killed by grenades thrown through the window of their armoured vehicle. A mob then set their bodies ablaze, and their corpses were dragged through the streets before being hung over a bridge crossing the Euphrates.^{[20] [21]} Scott Helvenston (1965-March 31, 2004) was a former United States Navy SEAL, and worked as a civilian contractor when he was killed while employed by private military contractor Blackwater Security in Iraq. ... A log bridge in the French Alps near Vallorcine. ... Surfer Rosa The Euphrates (IPA: /juːˈfreɪtiːz/; Greek: Euphrátēs; Akkadian: Pu-rat-tu; Hebrew: פְּרָת Pĕrāth; Syriac: Prâth; Arabic: الفرات Al-Furāt; Turkish: Fırat; Kurdish: فرهات, Firhat, Ferhat, Azeri: Fərat) is the western of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia (the other...

Photos of the event were released to news agencies worldwide, causing a great deal of indignation and moral outrage in the United States, and prompting the announcement of an upcoming "pacification" of the city. A news agency is an organization of journalists established to supply news reports to organizations in the news trade: newspapers, magazines, and radio and television broadcasters. ... A moral panic is a reaction by a group of people based on the false or exaggerated perception that some cultural behavior or group, frequently a minority group or a subculture, is dangerously deviant and poses a menace to society. ...

The intended Marine Corps strategy of foot patrols, less aggressive raids, humanitarian aid, and close cooperation with local leaders was suspended on orders to mount a military operation to clear guerrillas from Fallujah.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... In military tactics, to patrol, or conduct a patrol, is to conduct reconnaissance of a designated area or route. ... Humanitarian aid arriving by plane at Rinas Airport in Albania in the summer of 1999. ...

The campaign

US Marines fire at insurgent positions

On April 1, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations for the US military in Iraq, promises an "overwhelming" response to the Blackwater deaths. He stated "We will pacify that city," ^[22] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

On April 3, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) received the written directive from the Joint Task Force (JTF) to conduct offensive operations against the city of Falluja. This order went against the wishes of the Marine Commanders on the ground ^[23]who wanted to conduct surgical strikes and raids against suspected insurgents involved with the Blackwater deaths.

On April 4, at nightime, United States launched a major assault in an attempt to "re-establish security in Fallujah" by encirling it with around 2000 troops. ^{[24] [25]} At least four homes were hit in aerial strikes, and there was sporadic gunfire throughout the night. An Apache attack helicopter provides close air support to United States Army soldiers patrolling the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad, Iraq during the Iraq War. ...

By the morning of April 5, headed by the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, American units had surrounded the city with an aim towards retaking it. American troops blockaded roads leading into the city, with humvees and concertina wire, and took over a local radio station, and handed out leaflets urging residents to remain inside their homes, and help American forces identify insurgents and any Fallujans who were involved in the Blackwater deaths.^[26] The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. ... This article refers to the Military HMMWV, not the civilian Hummer sold by General Motors General Characteristics (Humvee) Manufacturer: AM General Length: 4. ... A sketch of a typical concertina wire obstacle Concertina wire is a type of barbed wire or razor wire that is formed in large coils which can be expanded like a concertina. ... A radio station is an audio (sound) broadcasting service, traditionally broadcast through the air as radio waves (a form of electromagnetic radiation) from a transmitter to an antenna and a thus to a receiving device. ...

By April 6, military sources said that "Marines may not attempt to control the center of the town." .^[27][28] is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

US forces block access to Fallujah

In the opening days, it was reported that up to a third of the civilian population had fled the city.^[29] Image File history File links FallujahApril2004. ... Image File history File links FallujahApril2004. ...

The siege forced the closing of Fallujah's two main hospitals, Fallujah General Hospital and the Jordanian Hospital, which were re-opened during the ceasefire on April 9.^[30] A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war or any armed conflict, where each side of the conflict agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The resulting fighting set off wide-spread fighting throughout Central Iraq and along the Lower Euphrates, with various elements of the Iraqi insurgency taking advantage of the situation and commencing simultaneous operations against the Coalition forces; this period marked the emergence of the Mahdi Army militia of Shiite firebrand cleric Muqtada as-Sadr as a major armed faction which at that time actively participated in anti-Coalition operations, the happenings were also punctuated by a surge of Sunni rebellion in the city of Ramadi. During this period, a number of foreigners were captured by insurgent groups. Some were killed outright, others were held as hostages in an attempt to barter for political or military concessions. Some elements of the Iraqi police and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps also turned on the Coalition forces or simply abandoned their posts. The Iraq resistance movement is the armed resistance by diverse groups to the coalition occupation of Iraq. ... Members parade in Sadr City The Mahdi Army, also known as the Mahdi Militia, Mehdi Army or Jaish al Mahdi (Arabic جيش المهدي) , is a militia force created by the Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in June of 2003. ... This article needs to be updated. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Saddam Mosque Ramadi (Arabic: ‎ ; BGN: Ar RamādÄ«) is a city in central Iraq, about 100 kilometers west of Baghdad. ...

The rebels in Fallujah held on as the Americans tightened their noose on the city. Air bombardments rained on insurgent positions throughout the city, Lockheed AC-130 gunships attacked targets with their Gatling guns and howitzers a number of times. U.S. snipers kept insurgents at bay, their night vision technology providing them with an important tactical edge. An Apache attack helicopter provides close air support to United States Army soldiers patrolling the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad, Iraq during the Iraq War. ... The AC-130 gunship is a heavily-armed ground attack airplane. ... Gatling gun illustrated in an 1885 encyclopedia in Swedish http://www. ... Loading a WW1 British 15 in (381 mm) howitzer 155 mm M198 Howitzer A howitzer or hauwitzer is a type of field artillery. ... This article is about the military occupation. ... Night-vision is seeing in the dark. ...

After three days of fighting, it was estimated that the United States had gained control over only 25% of the city, although it was suggested that insurgents had lost a number of key defensive positions.^{[citation needed]}

A Fallujan walks through the rubble

The U.S. attacks were taking a great toll on civilians as well as the insurgents however, and faced growing criticism from within the Iraqi Governing Council , where Adnan Pachachi said, "these operations by the Americans are unacceptable and illegal."^[31] Image File history File links Al-Fallujah-destruction. ... Image File history File links Al-Fallujah-destruction. ... The Iraqi Governing Council. ... Adnan Pachachi Adnan Pachachi (born on May 14, 1923 in Baghdad), is the scion of a Sunni Arab family with a long tradition in Iraqi politics. ...

As a pre-condition to the ceasefire, the United States insisted that Al-Jazeera reporter Ahmed Mansur, and cameraman Laith Mushtaq, the only two non-embedded journalists covering the conflict since April 3, be withdrawn from the city.^[32] Al Jazeera (Arabic: , , , meaning The Peninsula, referring to the Arabic name for the Arabian Peninsula) is a television network headquartered in Doha, Qatar. ... An embedded journalist is a news reporter who is attached to a military unit involved in an armed conflict. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

At noon on April 9, under pressure from the Governing Council, Paul Bremer announced that the U.S. forces would be unilaterally holding a ceasefire, stating that they wanted to facilitate negotiations between the Iraqi Governing Council, insurgents and city spokespersons, and to allow government supplies to be delivered to residents^[33] is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... L. Paul Bremer Lewis Paul Bremer III, also known as Jerry Bremer, (born September 30, 1941) was named Director of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance for post-war Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq to replace Jay Garner on May 6, 2003. ... A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war or any armed conflict, where each side of the conflict agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. ... The Iraqi Governing Council. ...

As a consequence, much-needed humanitarian relief which had been held up by the fighting and blockade finally managed to enter the city, notably a major convoy organized by private citizens, businessmen and clerics from Baghdad as a joint Shi'a-Sunni effort.^{[citation needed]} Some US forces used this time to occupy and scavenge abandoned houses and convert them into de facto bunkers^[34] De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without...

Although hundreds of insurgents had been killed in the assault, the city remained firmly in their control. U.S. forces had by then only managed to gain a foothold in the industrial district to the south of the city. The end of major operations for the time being led to negotiations between various Iraqi elements and the Coalition forces, punctuated by occasional firefights.

On April 13, U.S. Marines fell under attack from insurgents located within a mosque. An airstrike destroyed the mosque, prompting a public outcry.^[35]

On April 15, an American F-16 aircraft dropped a 2000lb (900 kg) laser-guided bomb over the northern district of Fallujah.^[36] The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unguided gravity bombs, or dumb bombs, into accurate, all-weather smart munitions. ... A laser-guided bomb (LGB) is a free-fall bomb, usually dropped from an aircraft, that is guided to its target by a laser designator The laser is directed at the target, illuminating it. ...

On April 19, the ceasefire seemed to be strengthened with a plan to reintroduce joint US/Iraqi patrols into the city. Over time this arrangement broke down and the city remained a major center of opposition to the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Interim Government. Additionally, the composition of the armed groups in Fallujah changed during the following months, shifting from domination by secular, nationalist and ex-Ba'athist groups towards a marked influence of warlords with ties to organized crime and groups following a radical Wahhabi stance. Wahhabism (sometimes spelled Wahabbism or Wahabism) is a movement of Islam named after Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703–1792). ...

On May 1, 2004, the United States withdrew from Fallujah, and Lieutenant General James Conway announced that he had unilaterally decided to turn over any remaining operations to the Fallujah Brigade, under the command of former Baathist Army General Jasim Mohammed Saleh. Several days later, when it became clear that Saleh had been involved in military actions against Shi'ites under Saddam Hussin, US Forces announced that his role would instead be turned over to Muhammed Latif. is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... James Terry Conway is a Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps. ... Baath Party flag The Ba‘ath Parties (also spelled Baath or Ba‘th; Arabic: اﻟﺒﻌﺚ) comprise political parties representing the political face of the Ba‘ath movement. ... General Jasim Mohammed Saleh was an Iraqi level-2 Baathist[1] who commanded the Iraqi Army under Saddam Hussein. ... The city of Fallujah was handed over to former Baathist Major General Muhammed Latif, replaced a U.S. choice, Muhammed Saleh, who was discovered to have been involved in the earlier atrocities against Kurds during the Iran-Iraq war. ...

Aftermath and effects

The largest combat mission since the declaration of the end of "major hostilities"^[37], the Battle of Fallujah marked a turning point in public perception of the on-going conflict, as suddenly insurgents, rather than Saddam loyalists, were seen as the chief opponents of US forces. It was also judged by both military and civilian agencies, that reliance upon US-funded regional militias, such as the failed Fallujah Brigade, could prove disastrous.^[38] Iraqi insurgency is a neologism to describe a loosely organized hostile opposition to the United States run Coalition of the Willing, which, according to the US military is centered in Fallujah. ...

The battle also pushed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi into the public spotlight as the best-known commander of anti-US forces in Iraq, and brought public attention to the concept of a Sunni Triangle which might prove to be un-winnable for US forces. Wikinews has news related to: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed in airstrike Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (Arabic: , , Abu Musab from Zarqa)) (October 20, 1966 – June 7, 2006) was a Jordanian who ran a militant training camp in Afghanistan alongside Osama bin Laden. ... Map of the Sunni Triangle The Sunni Triangle refers to a roughly triangular area of Iraq to the northwest of Baghdad. ...

The battle saw 27 American soldiers killed in and around Fallujah, as well as approximately hundreds of Iraqis, both civilians and insurgents.^[39] Many of the Iraqis killed were buried inside the city's former football stadium, which became known as the Martyrs' Cemetery. Martyrs Lane (formerly The Kirov Park) is a cemetery in Baku, Azerbaijan dedicated to the memory of victims during the war with Armenia and to the 137 people killed on January 19/20, 1990 (on the so called Black January). Photographs of victims featured on each tomb-stone are sobering...

Widespread media and independent reports that the United States had used incendiary weapons such as white phosphorus or napalm in the First and Second Battle of Fallujah were rebuffed by US sources, who admitted that Mark-77s had been used in the war the year prior, but no similar weapons had been employed in Fallujah.^[40] Several days later, this was contradicted by the admission that white phosphorus had been used in Fallujah, though only for "illumination", "screening" and "psychological" purposes.^[41] This article is about the chemical element. ... A simulated Napalm explosion during MCAS Air Show in 2003. ... Combatants United States Iraqi Security Forces Mujahideen Shura of al-Falluja Al-Qaeda in Iraq Commanders Richard F. Natonski Abdullah al-Janabi Omar Hussein Hadid Strength 8,000 (including 5,000 non-combat troops) 4,000 - 5,000 (combatants) Casualties (December 23, 2004) U.S.: 95 killed, 630 wounded[1... The Mark 77 is a US 750-lb (340-kg) air-dropped incendiary bomb that carries a fuel gel mix that is the direct successor to napalm. ...

Critics of the battle have contended that it contravened the Fourth Geneva Convention, by the use of unguided munitions targeting civilian population centres.^{[42] [43][44] [45]} Wikisource has original text related to this article: Fourth Geneva Convention The Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) relates to the protection of civilians during times of war in the hands of an enemy and under any occupation by a foreign power. ...

Participating Units

• 1st Marine Division

1st Battalion, 5th Marines

2nd Battalion, 1st Marines

3rd Battalion, 4th Marines

1st Tank Battalion

1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion

3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion

1st Combat Engineer Battalion

2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines

2nd Combat Engineer Battalion

2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion

1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, First Infantry Division (US Army)

• Combat Service Support Battalion 1
• HMM-161
• HMLA-775
• HMLA-167
• VFA-131
• 505th Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC)
• 30th Iraqi Commando Battalion, Iraqi Special Operations Brigade
• Iraqi Counter Terrorist Force (ICTF)
• 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• 1st SFOD-D
• Delta Force

The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division-sized unit in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. ... 1st Battalion 5th Marines (1/5) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Pendleton, California consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. ... 2nd Battalion 1st Marines (2/1) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Pendleton, California consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. ... The 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment (3/4) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps with a nickname of Darkside. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 1000 Marines. ... The 1st Tank Battalion is an armored battalion of the United States Marine Corps which is based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. ... Official force name 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Other names 1st LAR Highlander Tip of the Spear Motto No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy Branch United States Marine Corps Chain of Command 1st Marine Division 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Specialization Reconnaissance and screening in support of the 1st Marine Division. ... 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion is a mechanized battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... 1st Combat Engineer Battalion is a combat engineer battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. ... 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion is a combat engineer battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB 1) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters. ... Official force name Marine Light Attacks Helicopter Squadron 775 Other names Coyotes Branch United States Marine Corps Chain of Command 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Specializations Close Air Support, Assault Support, Air Interdiction, Aerial Reconnaissance, Headquarters Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Motto N/A. Equipment AH-1W SuperCobra UH-1N Creation... Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 (HMLA-167) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1N Huey utility helicopters. ... Strike Fighter Squadron 131 {VFA-131), also known as the Wildcats, are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) —commonly Delta in the U.S. Army, Delta Force by civilians, and Combat Applications Group in the Department of Defense— is a Special Operations Force (SOF) and an integral element of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). ... The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) —commonly known as Delta in the U.S. Army, Delta Force by civilians, and Combat Applications Group by the Department of Defense— is a Special Operations Force (SOF) and an integral element of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). ...

Books

• Blood Stripes: The Grunt's View of the War in Iraq, by David J. Danelo (2007) (ISBN 0811733939)

See also

• Second Battle of Fallujah
• United States occupation of Fallujah
• 2004 in Iraq
• 2nd Lieutenant Ilario Pantano
• History of Iraqi insurgency
• Iraqi Insurgency

Image File history File links USMC_logo. ... Combatants United States Iraqi Security Forces Mujahideen Shura of al-Falluja Al-Qaeda in Iraq Commanders Richard F. Natonski Abdullah al-Janabi Omar Hussein Hadid Strength 8,000 (including 5,000 non-combat troops) 4,000 - 5,000 (combatants) Casualties (December 23, 2004) U.S.: 95 killed, 630 wounded[1... The US occupation of Fallujah began in April 2003, one month following the beginning of the invasion. ... Ilario Pantano (b. ... This is a history of the Iraqi insurgency. ... The Iraq resistance movement is the armed resistance by diverse groups to the coalition occupation of Iraq. ...

References

• Operation Vigilant Resolve at GlobalSecurity

• Iraq: The Siege of Falluja, Guardian Unlimited. Detailed interactive on the Fallujah battles.

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External resources

• "U.S. Launches 'Vigilant Resolve'", Associated Press, April 5, 2004. News article published at the start of the operation.

• Hardball with Chris Matthews, April 7, 2004. MSNBC transcript of a television report providing information on Operation Vigilant Resolve and the rest of the spring uprisings.

• Vigilant Resolve: Remembering the First Siege of Fallujah with Dahr Jamail . An op-ed highly critical of US media treatment of the operations which provides some details on the 2003 developments.

• "Private Warriors", PBS Frontline.