At this point the 3rd ACR had all of its forces stationed outside Fallujah in the former Baathist resort, Dreamland. ĭuring the summer, the US Army decided to close down its last remaining base inside the city (the Ba'ath party headquarters FOB Laurie). The now battalion-sized element of the 3rd Cavalry (2nd squadron) in Fallujah was replaced by the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division. At this point in time the 3rd Cavalry controlled all of Al Anbar province, and it became evident a larger force was needed. Forward Operating Base 'Laurie,' established in the former Ba'ath party headquarters, and next to the Mayor's office. On the same day soldiers shot three protesters in front of U.S. The 3rd Cavalry was significantly smaller in number and chose not to occupy the same schoolhouse where the shooting had occurred two days earlier. Two days later, on April 30, the 82nd Airborne was replaced in the city by Fox Troop from 2nd squadron of the / U.S. The US suffered no casualties from the incident. Independent observers from a human rights group found no evidence that US forces had come under attack. US soldiers alleged that they were returning fire, but protesters stated they were unarmed. US soldiers fired upon the crowd, killing as many as 17 and wounding more than 70 of the protesters. On the evening of April 28, 2003, several hundred residents defied the US curfew and marched down the streets of Fallujah, past the soldiers positioned in the former Ba'ath party headquarters, to protest the military presence inside the local school. Main article: Fallujah killings of April 2003 Army's 1st Battalion / 2nd Brigade 82nd Airborne entered the town on April 23, 2003, they positioned themselves at the vacated Ba'ath Party headquarters, a local school house, and the Ba'ath party resort just outside town ( Dreamland)-the US bases inside the town erased some goodwill, especially when many in the city had been hoping the US Army would stay outside of the relatively calm city. There was little looting and the new mayor of the city- Taha Bidaywi Hamed, was selected by local tribal leaders-was pro- United States. 2003 invasion of Iraq Īlthough the majority of the residents were Sunni and had supported Saddam Hussein's rule, Fallujah lacked military presence just after his fall. As of 2004, the city was largely ruined, with 60% of buildings damaged or destroyed, and the population at 30%–50% of pre-war levels. These events caused widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis in the city and surrounding areas.

Iraqi insurgents were able to claim the city a year later, before they were ousted by a siege and two assaults by US forces.

In a later incident, US soldiers fired on protesters again Fallujah's mayor, Taha Bedaiwi al-Alwani, said that two people were killed and 14 wounded. 17 people were killed and 70 were wounded. US forces alleged they were fired at first, but Human Rights Watch, who visited the site of the protests, concluded that physical evidence did not corroborate US allegations and confirmed the residents' accusations that the US forces fired indiscriminately at the crowd with no provocation. In April 2003 United States forces fired on a group of demonstrators who were protesting against the US presence. The United States bombardment of Fallujah began in April 2003, one month after the beginning of the invasion of Iraq. American bombardment of Fallujah, Iraq Map showing the location of Fallujah in Iraq

Operation phantom fury bridges map