The Battle of Fallujah

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Introduction The first battle in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) is known as Operation Vigilant Resolve. This battle is regarded as one of the biggest single defeats that the United States Military has suffered throughout all its campaigns during OIF. The United States and international media outlets exploited this defeat, which in turn, bolstered Al Qaeda recruiting in Fallujah. This offensive failure and retreat was backed by a huge public outcry for troop withdrawal and successful exploitation of recruiting propaganda by the insurgents. Lieutenant General James Conway, Commander of the First Expeditionary Force (MEF), was ordered to withdrawal his Marines from Fallujah and leave the city to the insurgents1. Throughout Iraq and the Muslim world, this was perceived as a major victory for the insurgents. This victory inspired other Muslims to join the cause, and they soon flocked to Fallujah increasing their presence in the city. In the months following April 2004, leading up to Battle of Fallujah 2, otherwise known as Operation Phantom Fury/ Al Fajr (New Dawn), the insurgent numbers were increasing by the hundreds. This battle is one for the history books, it is said to be one of the bloodiest and most talked about in OIF. At the end of the campaign, 51 service were members killed, 425 wounded, 1200 insurgents killed, and 1000 prisoners captured2. This battle set the stage on how the Unite States Military conducts future Joint Operations throughout the rest of OIF. History The city of Fallujah located roughly 36 kilometers west of Bagdad on the Euphrates River. It is surrounded by bigger cities such as Bagdad, Rama... ... middle of paper ... ...nal-terrorism/articles/913596-Firsthand-Operation-Vigilant-Resolve/ Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA. Fallujah Secure, But Not Yet Safe, Marine Commander Says. U.S. Department of Defense, 18 November 2010. Web. 8 March 2014. http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=24798 Amir Taheri. Fallujah: 2500 Year of War. ASHARQ AL-AWSAT. 14 January 2014. Web. 8 March 2014. http://www.aawsat.net/2014/01/article55327231 N.A. Fallujah. Global Security. 7 September 2011. Web. 8 March 2014. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/fallujah.htm Thor. Battle of Fallujah. History Wars and Weapons. 20 March 2012. Web. 8 March 2014. http://historywarsweapons.com/battle-of-fallujah/ N.A. Operation al-Fajr (Dawn), Operation Phantom Fury [Fallujah]. Global Security. 7 May 2011. Web. 8 March 2014. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oif-phantom-fury-fallujah.htm

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