WAIT, THE BATTLE OF FALLUJAH WAS ACTUALLY TWO CONFLICTS?
Even as eras change, there are plenty of common themes found in war, but it’s also remarkable how much changes. The aftermath of 9/11 and the conflicts thereafter in the Middle East came at a time when technology was beginning to undergo serious transformations in how, when, and where people accessed information and media. The Battle of Fallujah isn’t just one battle but actually two taking place in the same year in Al-Fallujah, Iraq. What sparked the conflict would be the videoing of grotesque attacks on private Blackwater contractors by insurgents looking to establish themselves in the area. Read next:The Battle of Ia Drang Set a Violent Stage for the Vietnam War
The Battle of Fallujah Is Actually More Than One Conflict
When you look at the Battle of Fallujah, it’s important to realize that there are two different conflicts this could refer to. Both took place in 2004 for related yet different reasons. The events that sparked the first conflict would eventually lead to the second. But no matter what actually caused the battles, incidents were persistent in the area long before. The first battle would be an ambush-turned-failed-occupancy-campaign, while the second would end up being the bloodiest battle for Americans and the first major conflict of the Iraq War.
War Crimes, Public Outcry, and a New Type of Warfare
The First Battle of Fallujah, also known as Operation Vigilant Resolve, occurred during the aftermath of an attack by insurgent forces that would claim the lives of four Blackwater contractors. This came after the killing of five American troops in Al-Habbaniyah a few days prior. While war is awful and these things are, unfortunately, to be expected, it wasn’t just the killings that sparked outrage, but rather the actions surrounding them. These men weren't just killed; they were murdered violently on video, and their bodies were displayed publicly after the fact. There’s no doubt that tensions were already high after a number of attacks in the area. This was the Iraq War, after all; it’s not as if there weren’t plenty of conflicts to go around. But the nature of these events and the distribution of the war crimes invoked strong emotions on multiple fronts. Between April 4, 2004, and May 1, 2004, the conflict ensued, or rather, many different conflicts ensued. At the time, there were several insurgent groups in what would become somewhat of a vacuum of power in the region. Ultimately, this would not go in favor of the U.S., with troops retreating and allowing the Fallujah Brigade to take control of fighting in the region. But the DoD knew that this couldn’t stand. This is why it would ultimately lead to a second direct conflict, this time, with a more favorable result.
Taking Back the City
The fallout from the 2004 Fallujah ambush was severe, and at first, U.S. Forces were unable to take control. But by November 2004, the U.S. military was prepared to retake any lost territory and establish a presence in the region. From November 7, 2004, to December 23, 2004, the Second Battle of Fallujah took place. It may go by other names, such as Operation Phantom Fury or Operation al-Fajr, but no matter what name is used, this time would not work out so positively for the insurgent forces. American and Iraqi forces would create a parameter around the city with checkpoints to track and limit the movement of insurgents. Most of the 300,000 civilians would end up leaving the area, and while there were still thousands of fighters inside the city, many leaders were able to escape. Despite having thousands of fighters and a much larger total than the first conflict, the American-Iraqi force was also bolstered by support from the British and severely outnumbered their enemies. When the dust settled, 95 Americans would die during this battle in addition to the 27 Americans that would pass from the first one. Hundreds were injured, at least 10 other members of allied forces died, and hundreds of civilians were killed. The insurgent forces are thought to have lost the lives of around 200+ during the first battle; however, 3,000+ were either killed or captured during the second round of fighting. U.S.-led forces were able to take control of the situation and disrupted the power grab by enemy forces. Sadly, accomplishing this objective would take a human toll that we are still seeing the effects of to this day.
Who Won the Battle of Fallujah?
Ultimately, the American Armed Forces would win the Battle of Fallujah, but when you look at the individual fights themselves, it’s a split decision. The insurgent groups in Iraq at the time were able to win the first round, while the U.S. military would come back and take the city later that year.
New Warship To Honor Those Lost in the Battle
The high seas will soon have a new vessel commemorating these deadly events. One of the latest names for an American warship will come after the U.S. Navy decided to name a ship after these fierce Iraq War battles. Known as the USS Fallujah, the new American-class landing helicopter assault ship (LHA) doesn’t have many details released just yet but is expected to take part in humanitarian efforts and be capable of completing missions on short notice.
How Many Generals Helped With the Battle of Fallujah?
In total, there were a combined six generals involved in commanding troops during these conflicts. Of them, five were a part of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), and one was enlisted in the British Army. Here’s how this breaks down: The first battle:
- James T. Conway (USMC).
- James Mattis (USMC).
- John A. Toolan (USMC).
The second battle:
- Keith J. Stalder (USMC).
- Richard F. Natonski (USMC).
- James Cowan (British Army).
Events of the Battle of Fallujah have gone on to inspire cinema, video games, and various other media. But most importantly, those who fought there sacrificed as much as they could to ensure American freedom and to help others escape a cycle of violence in Iraq. Suggested read:Top 9 Facts About Operation Neptune Spear & Killing Bin Laden
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