The process of clearing the city was slow, as many houses were booby-trapped. However, the fighting continued for several more days, as Coalition forces moved house-to- house to eliminate the remnants of the insurgent resistance. By the end of November 13th, most of the city was under the control of coalition forces. The RCT 1 moved through the Nazal, Jebail, and Resala neighborhoods while RCT 7 continued to attack the industrial districts to the southeast. By the end of the 10th of November, the coalition forces had taken control of 70 percent of the city. By the evening of November 9th, the coalition troops were able to take control of the strategically significant Highway 10, which bisected the city. Using the Army’s armored support, the coalition troops were able to effectively attack key enemy positions, including a main train station. On the 8th of November, RCT 1 and RCT 7 commenced the attack on the city with the help of artillery and air strikes. A similar mission was undertaken by the British Black Watch Regiment to block off the east and south sides of Fallujah. The combat teams took control of two major bridges to prevent enemy retreat from the northern and eastern part of the city. The RCT 1 assaulted the city from the north, while RCT 7 attacked the eastern part of the city. The insurgents were expecting the coalition forces to attack from the south and southeast, but the coalition forces changed their tactics. It is estimated that over 70 percent of its civilians departed from Fallujah before the battle even started. DESCRIPTIONīefore the attack started, the area was cordoned off, and civilians were encouraged to leave the city. They also filled empty dark building with gasoline and propane bottles, were wired to trigger a detonation whenever Coalition troops entered the buildings. They dug trenches and tunnels, prepared spider holes, and used a wide variety of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to prevent the coalition troops from entering their city. These ‘Mujahedeen’ fighters and insurgents fortified the city in anticipation of attack. Fallujah was defended by more than 500 proficient and around 3,000 “part-time” insurgents. Army artillery battalions, aircraft, and U.S. The coalition troops were assisted by 2,000 Iraqi troops, U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion/2nd Infantry, 1st Battalion/3rd Marines, 1st Battalion/8th Marines, and the 2nd Battalion/12th Cavalry.

Team 1 was comprised by 3rd Battalion/5th Marines, 3rd Battalion/1st Marines, 23 Seabees, the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, and the U.S. The coalition troops were grouped into two Combat Teams: Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT 1) and the Regimental Combat Team 7 (RCT 7). The insurgents, with the support of al-Qaeda in Iraq, were led by Omar Hussein Hadid and Abdullah al-Janabi who had about 5,000 under their command. Natonski who had about 15,000 men under their command, including American, Biritsh, and those Iraqi soldiers loyal to the new U.S.-supported government. The coalition forces were led by Lieutenant General John F. The fierce Second Battle of Fallujah was fought between a U.S.-led Coalition and the insurgents. Most historians consider the ghastly killing and hanging of Americans in March of 2004 as the most strongly motivating precursors of the Battles of Fallujah. They started killing American troops to avenge the death of insurgents in other cities. However, by 2004, the city had become a haven for foreign fighters, insurgents, smugglers, and criminals alike. Despite the city being densely populated and strategically important, it was relatively untouched by the Coalition forces in their drive to Baghdad. Backgroundįallujah is located about 40 miles east of Baghdad, close to the ‘V-Ring’ of what was called the ‘Sunni Triangle’. Second Battle Of Fallujah, 2004 (Iraq War) A map of Fallujah.

Phantom fury operation