April 4, 2004: First Battle of Fallujah

[Draggingtree]

Focus On: Iraq

 

April 4, 2004: First Battle of Fallujah

 

By: Larry DiamondDate:April4 , 2012

 

On March 31, the same day that the four American contractors were murdered and their bodies mutilated in Fallujah, thousands of Sadr’s followers marched past the entrance to the Green Zone in Baghdad, chanting, “Just say the word Muqtada, and we’ll resume the 1920 revolution,” a pointed reference to the uprising against British colonial rule. Then, on April 3, Sadr’s deputy Mustafa Yacoubi was arrested on one of the warrants for involvement in the murder of Khoei—apparently on orders from a local Coalition military commander acting ahead of the CPA.

 

Immediately, Sadr lashed back. Hundreds of his supporters started flooding south from Baghdad to Kufa. By Sunday, April 4, they had seized the police station and a key government building in Najaf without a fight, while launching a withering assault on the CPA headquarters in Najaf. Though that siege was repelled, the Mahdi Army—its numbers rapidly swelling from hidden reserves who raced to battle on instructions of their leaders, and from other downtrodden young Shiites who simply claimed the offered cash to fight—quickly seized control of Najaf, as well as Kufa, Nasariyah, and the sprawling East Baghdad slum, Sadr City. “The occupation is over! We are now controlled by Sadr!” many of his black-clad insurgents yelled. That afternoon, Sadr issued a call to all-out war: “Terrorize your enemy. God will reward you well for what pleases him.” Shortly thereafter, Mahdi Army fighters ambushed a military patrol in Sadr City, killing eight American soldiers. That night, Bremer declared, “This morning, a group of people in Najaf have crossed the line, and they have moved to violence. This will not be tolerated.” The next day, he canceled a trip to Washington and declared Sadr an “outlaw,” announcing a warrant for his arrest. An American military spokesman lamely called on Sadr, who was holed up in Kufa surrounded by hundreds of his fighters, to surrender himself in order “to calm the situation.” Yet according to press reports, U.S. officials decided to hold off on trying to capture or kill Sadr, for fear of igniting even worse violence. http://www.commandposts.com/2012/04/april-4-2004-first-battle-of-fallujah/

[Valin]

Focus On: Iraq

 

April 4, 2004: First Battle of Fallujah

 

By: Larry DiamondDate:April4 , 2012

 

 

http://youtu.be/X-Pqz3cKlG0

 

Book TV: New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah

Richard Lowry

 

Richard Lowry talks about the battles that took place in Fallujah, Iraq, following the killing of four U.S. contractors in 2004. Mr. Lowry spoke at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

 

New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah

Richard Lowry

 

 

Highly Recommended

 

Also Operation Phantom Fury: The Assault and Capture of Fallujah, Iraq

Dick Camp

 

Midwest Book Review

 

“Retired Marine Corps full colonel and Vietnam combat veteran Dick Camp presents Operation Phantom Fury: The Assault and Capture of Fallujah, Iraq, an in-depth portrait of the second battle for Fallujah, which was the Marine Corps' biggest battle in Iraq, and arguably the most important battle during the entire occupation. Though Fallujah did not receive severe damage during the initial U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, strife between civilians, insurgents, and coalition forces erupted into violence with the murder and desecration of four Blackwater contractors. The U.S. Marine and Army forces, along with a number of Iraqi Army battalions, had to confront the lethal task of retaking Fallujah from insurgents. An expertly researched, harrowingly presented account of the pivotal battle, highly recommended especially for military history collections with a focus on the Iraq Wars.”

 

 

There are many fine books out on the 2nd battle of Fallujah (recommendation available on request), but not so much on the 1st battle.