The Battle of Fallujah: Part Two

The Battle of Fallujah: Part Two

Ground operations began on the night of November 7, 2004 with the Iraqi 36th Commando Battalion, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines attacking from the west and south, capturing Fallujah General Hospital and villages opposite the Euphrates River along Fallujah's Western edge. The capture and closure of the hospital caused much controversy, concerning whether or not it was a contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The same unit, operating under the command of the U.S. III Corps then moved on the western approaches to the city securing the Jurf Kas Sukr Bridge. These initial attacks, however, were little more than a diversion, intended to distract and confuse the rebels defending the city.

American units consisting of four Marine Light Infantry battalions, and two Army Mechanized Cavalry battalions (with a large number of non-fighting American units following in trace) launched their attack along a broad front, jumping off from behind the railroad line that runs along the northern edge of the city. By daylight on November 8, the main train station had fallen to American troops. By the afternoon, under the protection of intense air cover, troops had entered the Hay Naib al-Dubat and al-Naziza districts. Shortly after nightfall on November 9, Marines were along Highway 10 in the center of the city. By dawn on the 13th most of the city was in American hands, and any formal defense organized by the militants had been broken. By November 16, after nine days of fighting, the Americans described the action as mopping up pockets of resistance, but sporadic fighting continued until December 23.

The AP reported that military-age males attempting to flee the city were turned back by the U.S. Military. Despite its success, the battle was not without its controversy. On November 16, NBC News aired footage that showed an American Marine (with 3rd Battalion 1st Marines) shooting dead a wounded Iraqi fighter. The Marine was heard exclaiming that the Iraqi was "playing possum". U. S. Navy investigators NCIS later determined that the Marine was acting in self-defense.

By late January 2005, news reports indicated American combat units were leaving the area, and were assisting the local population in returning to their city.