On April 28, 2003, the US soldiers shot on demonstrators in Falluja killing 14 of them and wounding about 70. The soldiers said that they had first been shot at, and that they only shot back. The soldiers were in a commanded school where they established their residence and the Iraqi wanted the school back so that their children could start their lessons. The Iraqi denied that their was any shooting directed to the Americans, that if there was any shooting it was in the air to celebrate Saddam Hussein 66th birthday and, in consequence, the Americans murdered the civilians. The problem is that there are no bullet holes in the school (they went above the roof according to the soldiers) but there were hundred of them in the houses in front including many from machine guns!! Most civilians were unarmed; if this is not murder, what is murder? But the Americans will never learn anything. On April 30 the soldiers of the same unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, shot dead 2 more civilians and wounded 14 others, always in Falluja. They had moved their quarters from the school where the previous shooting occurred two days before. This time they shot at civilians protesting in front of an US military post, a former Ba'ath headquarters, on the main street and in full daylight. On the same day Bush said that civilians could now protest on the streets of Iraq without fear of being shot by Saddam Hussein. He was right, his American soldiers now kill them!!
Keeping order in Iraq after winning the war seems to be too much for the US troops. Already on June 15, 2003, hundred of US soldiers swept over Falluja to try to destroy all resistance to their occupation. Eight men were arrested but nobody was killed or hurt.
- In Falluja, on July 1, 2003, an explosion in a Mosque killed 10 Iraqis.
The Iraqis said that it was caused by a bomb or a rocket launched by the US
forces, which denied it saying that it was probably due to an explosion inside
the building. The bad feeling of the local people towards the Americans has
reached a very high level.
- On October 30, 2003, A train with supplies for the military was stopped
and put on fire near Falluja. What was left was looted.
- In Falluja on January 13, 2004, hundred of Iraqis protested after the US
soldiers looking for insurgents detained a 17-year old newly wed Iraqi woman.
She was then freed after being questioned for several hours. The soldiers
killed two people and wounded four others.
- On March 26, 2004, the US troops fought with insurgents in Falluja killing
eight Iraqis including three children and an Iraqi cameraman for the American
network ABC. The fighting started after the soldiers cordoned two districts
and began a house-to-house search for weapons and Iraqi suspects. Mortars
were fired at the troops.
- On March 27, 2004, the main fight was in Falluja where a US Marine died
as well as at least six civilians including a eleven-year old boy and a television
cameraman. Twenty-five Iraqis and five US Marines were injured. US troops
blocked all the streets of Falluja. Following the killing of 18 civilians
in April Falluja was practically in the hand of the Iraqis. Now the Marines
want to take control of the city once more. The Iraqis are saying that the
US Marines killed many civilians without reason. The marines are saying that
they want to play soccer with the Iraqis. They probably mean with corpses,
not balls. Liberators?
- On March 31, 2004, four American civilians -security guards for Black Water
Security Consulting from Moyock, North Carolina- were attacked by gunfire
and grenades while travelling in two cars in Falluja. The cars took fire and
the charred bodies were decapitated and mutilated by a cheering crowd of local
people, dragged through the streets, and some of the corpses hanged from a
bridge. This looks very similar to what happened in Somalia in 1993 when the
bodies of American soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu.
This is seen as a revenge for way the US Marines behaved lately in searching
raids in the town. The same day, five US soldiers were killed in Habbaniya,
15 miles west of Falluja, when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb. Moreover
three British soldiers were injured near Basra in an explosion.
- On April 1, 2004, four American security personnel were killed and their
corpse mutilated. Their bodies hanged from a bridge for a few hours. These
men worked for a private firm, Black Water Security Consulting founded in
1996 by a former US navy commando and based in North Carolina. They could
earn up to $900 a day and sometime more and this money leads ordinary soldiers
to resign to join security firms. It is believed that there are already about
15,000 contractors in Iraq, one for 10 US soldiers. The army says that using
contractors save money and let the soldiers do their job, combat.
- America and the Americans wanted revenge for the brutal action that got
four American civilian contractors killed. The army moved in and put Falluja
under siege.
- On April 9, 2004, the siege of Falluja went on despite a brief ceasefire.
Up to 450 civilians have already been killed and more than 1,000 wounded.
The Americans are now being accused of genocide and the democrat candidate
to the presidency, John Kelly, is accusing the Bush administration of a "failure
of foreign policy due to its ideology and arrogance".
- The Iraqi Governing Council, whose members were selected by the Americans,
is described as useless American puppet. This time however, around April 10
2004, it woke up and obliged the Americans to agree to a ceasefire. Four members
threatened to resign if the USA did not stop hammering the city and, later
on, some members negotiated a compromise so that Moqtada al-Sadr would not
be arrested in exchange for the Shia stopping their insurrection. Adnan Pachachi
said on the al-Arabiya television that the US assault on Falluja was "illegal
and totally unacceptable" and Hashim Hassani of the Iraqi Islamic party
added "the Iraqi people now see democracy as bloodshed". The Council
then asked the US to end the military action in Falluja implying that it was
a crime under the Geneva Conventions.
- On April 11, 2004, the US militaries continue to say that the US troops
only killed insurgents in Falluja. According to them 95% of the victims were
legitimate targets, but this only means that a dead Iraqi is an insurgent.
The hospitals have found that among the more than 600 persons killed there
are many, some say a majority, of women and children. The Americans, in order
to limit their risk, are hitting the town of 200,000 people with planes, tanks
and heavy guns and the result was seen on television.
- On April 12, 2004, a ceasefire in the Sunni city of Falluja was holding.
The top US general in the Middle East, General John Abizaid, said that he
needed two more brigades in Iraq -about 10,000 troops- to help finish the
upheaval.
- The ceasefire in Falluja has been partially broken on April 13, 2004. It
is believed that more than 700 Iraqis -mainly civilians- were killed as well
as perhaps 40 US soldiers.
- On April 19, 2004, the US military authorities in reached a deal with local
leaders who agreed that those responsible for the killing and mutilation of
the four American contractors would be handed over. As a result the curfew
has been reduced and humanitarian convoys have been allowed to reach the city.
However if these conditions are not met the Americans are prepared to take
the city by force.
- On April 24, 2004, Falluja saw a ceasefire following the ferocious horrible
American siege. Planes dropped bombs, helicopters shot missiles, tanks shot
on houses only for the pleasure of destroying them, and snipers killed everybody
in their sight, men, women, and children; they went as far as putting snipers
on the hospital tower, one of the highest building in the town. Around 2,000
US Marines killed more than 2,000 people in this town of 300,000 inhabitants.
Access to the only hospital was prevented for two weeks. Uncounted houses
were destroyed, Mosques were bombed, and dead people had to be buried in a
makeshift burial ground in the local football field. Three weeks after the
siege began on April 4, Falluja is still restricted. The Americans justifies
their cruelty by the fact that four American civilian contractors were killed
and their bodies mutilated by a mob.
- On April 24, 2004, the cease-fire in Falluja is on the breaking point. The
total number of US soldiers killed so far in April is at least one hundred
with 900 wounded, 600 seriously.
- On April 25, 2004, the US military seems to have decided not to launch a
new offensive against Falluja hoping for a peaceful ending to the siege. It
is no clear, however, if the insurgents will give up their arms as requested
by the USA.
- On April 26, 2004, there were gun battles and one US Marine and eight insurgents
were killed. A minaret was destroyed on purpose by air strike. Members of
Falluja's council said that the Americans used cluster bombs and that American
snipers shot dead many civilians. More than 800 people, mostly civilians,
have been killed by the Americans until now and 1,800 wounded.
- On April 28, 2004, the Americans are still bombing Falluja with 500 lb laser
guided bombs from the air, with their tanks, and other heavy guns. Their generals
are maintaining against all evidence that their actions are "defensives",
that they only answer when attacked despite the ceasefire. This lies are probably
good enough for the American public and media but it is obviously untrue.
- On April 29, 2004, a deal was made; the US soldiers would lift the siege
and to let about 1,100 Iraqi soldiers -regrouped in the Falluja Protective
Army- under the command of an ex-Saddam Hussein army general, Jasim Mohammed
Saleh, taking over. Under the plan the US Marines would remain outside the
city.
- On May 2, 2004, the Iraqi Major General Jasim Mohammed Saleh that is running
the Iraqi security force refused to hand over any foreign fighters to the
Americans (their number is estimated, by the Americans, to be 200). The Americans
did not like somebody saying No to them and the Chairman of the Joint chiefs
of staff, General Richard Myers, denied that General Saleh had been put in
charge of the security and that the Marines were withdrawing from the city.
- In Falluja, on May 3, 2004, the US appointed another Iraqi general, Mohammad
Latif, as head of the Iraqi force assuring security in the city. General Mohammad
Latif replace General Mohammed Jaseim Saleh, a former general in Saddam Hussein's
Republican Guard, while General Mohammad Latif is a former exile, another
bootlicker, so Americans like him. General Saleh was offered to remain as
deputy to General Latif but he refused with disdain.
- On June 9, 2004, 12 members of a special Iraqi security force made-up of
anti-American fighters and former members of Saddam Hussein's army, were killed
in Falluja as grenades hit their base. This so-called Falluja brigade was
formed last month in a deal with the US forces: the American soldiers left
the city and the security was taken over by the brigade of 2,000 men under
the command of General Mohammed Latif. Similar deals were agreed in Najaf
and Karbala.
- On June 19, 2004, the Americans did it again. An American plane fired missiles
into a residential area killing at least 22 members of an extended family.
The US military authorities said that they were targeting a safe house belonging
to the terrorist network run by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Does this justify bombing
a house in a residential district more that one year after the end of the
war? Was it not possible to send troops to check on the spot? As usual they
were too coward and they chose to kill civilians who, after all are not Americans.
The carnage was met with angry riot in the city.
- On June 30, 2004, the Americans did it again: they bombed a house killing
four civilians and wounding 10. They were suspecting that the house was a
hideout of Zarqawi. They will never learn.
- On July 5, 2004, at least 12 people were killed and five injured in a US
air strike on a suspected militant hideout. US warplanes dropped four 500-pound
bombs and two 1,000-pound bombs "against a "Mujahideen" safe
house. It is the deadliest single incident since the US-led coalition handed
official power to a caretaker government on June 28. The attack is the fifth
such raid over the past two weeks.
- On July 18, 2004, it was revealed that Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi
approved yesterday morning's US air strike attack on a house in.
- On July 23, 2004, the US forces launched an attack against a suspected gathering
of insurgents outside a house in Falluja, wounding five civilians. Three children
were among the five civilians wounded. Witnesses denied the house was harbouring
militants.
- On August 11, 2004, US planes bombed several sites in Falluja killing four
people and injuring four others.
- In Falluja, US warplanes bombed the Askeri area on August 24, 2004, killing
four people and injuring three.
- On August 25, 2004, US warplanes and tanks bombed the city of Falluja for
more than two hours, killing at least four people. In the city are Sunni insurgents
the government believes are responsible for months of kidnappings, bombings,
and shooting attacks against coalition troops, Iraqi forces and civilians
across Iraq.
- Five people were killed and 32 wounded, including women and children, during
US air strikes on August 28, 2004.
- On September 1, 2004, at least 17 Iraqis have died in a US air strike on
the city of Falluja; the dead included three children and a woman. US officials
say the strike was a deliberate, "precision" attack aimed at followers
of the wanted militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
- On September 6, 2004, seven US Marines and three Iraqi soldiers have been
killed by a car bomb on the outskirts of Falluja. The attack took place at
Saqlawiya, some 15 km north of Falluja. As a revenge on September 7, 2004,
US warplanes hit Falluja with airstrikes. A group linked to Jordanian-born
militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -Tawhid and Jihad- claimed responsibility for
the attack, describing it as "a martyr operation ... that targeted American
soldiers and their mercenary apostate collaborators from the Iraqi army."
- The controversial Iraqi military force formed by US Marines -and composed
of former members of the Iraqi army and Saddam Hussein's special security
forces- in an effort to pacify the restive city of Falluja has been officially
disbanded on September 11, 2004, after months of continuing violence, assaults
on government security forces and evidence that some members have been working
openly with insurgents.
- US warplanes struck an alleged hideout where operatives from an al-Qaida-linked
group had gathered Monday September 13, 2004. At least 20 people were killed
and 29 wounded. Women and children were among the dead.
- On September 17, 2004, an American raid against Falluja, in al-Anbar governorate
resulted in killing at least three Iraqis including one woman and wounding
of 10 children.
- On September 20, 2004, the US military is aiming to "free" the
city of Falluja. The Sunni city is seen as a base of operations for Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian militant accused by US officials of terrorist plots
in at least four countries and of ties to Al Qaida.
- At least eight people have been killed in US strikes, on September 24, 2004
and other 15 people were injured, as US planes, tanks and artillery units
shelled the city. Several buildings in the city centre were destroyed. The
US military said it targeted a meeting place for fighters loyal to terror
suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
- Doctors in the Iraqi city of Falluja say at least seven people have been
killed and 11 wounded, including women and children, in a US air strike on
Saturday September 25, 2004.The US military said that the target was a meeting
place for operatives of the Jordanian born militant, Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi.
- On September 26, 2004, US air strikes on Falluja left 15 dead while an insurgent
attack in another troubled Sunni Arab town killed 10 more. The latest US air
strike on Falluja targeted what commanders said was a meeting place for militants
of suspected al-Qaida operative Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi's Unity and Holy War
group, which is holding Briton Kenneth Bigley hostage. At least two houses
in the area were destroyed while others suffered significant damage.
- The US continued heavy raids on the rebel city of Falluja on September 27,
2004, including what it called a "terrorist site" linked to militant
leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. At least three civilians were killed in the raid.
- US forces launched new air raids on Falluja late Friday October 1, 2004.
Four houses in al-Jugayfi in east Falluja were badly damaged and people drew
out four bodies out of the debris.
- US forces conducted on Saturday October 2, 2004, a new air strike at a suspect
training base used by insurgents. "Fifteen to twenty anti-Iraqi fighters
were military training on the outskirts of Falluja" at the time of the
strike. These insurgents were believed to have links to terrorist groups,
including the network led by Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi.
- US forces carried out a fresh air strike on the Sunni city of Falluja on
October 2, 2004 -the second in 24 hours.
- US forces have carried out another air strike on the rebellious Iraqi city
of Falluja on October 2, 2004, the third in 24 hours. They bombed a building
that they said was being used by insurgents as a weapons store.
- On October 6, 2004, US warplanes overnight pounded Falluja hitting what
it described as a meeting of ringleaders loyal to alleged al-Qaida operative
Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi. No casualties were reported.
- At least 12 people have been killed and 17 others wounded in a US air strike
on Falluja on October 8, 2004. The US military said they targeted a hideout
used by associates of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. But local people
said that the raid had struck a house shortly after a wedding party. The groom
was killed, while his bride was injured. Women and children were also among
the wounded.
- In Baghdad, on October 13, 2004, Iraq's interim prime minister warned that
US and Iraqi forces will launch military operations in the main insurgent
stronghold Falluja if residents do not hand over Jordanian terror mastermind
Abu Mussab Al-Zarqawi.
- US warplanes launched sustained and fierce attacks on the rebel-held Iraqi
town of Falluja on Thursday October 14, 2004. There was no immediate word
on casualties. Witnesses said helicopters were also attacking parts of the
town.
- Every day, US warplanes pound Falluja where many Iraqis know Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's
face from television footage and wanted posters. But elusive Jordanian militant
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi continues launching spectacular attacks.
- US and Iraqi troops encircled the rebel city of Falluja on Friday October
15, 2004, in the hunt for Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi as locals protested Iraq's
most wanted man was not there and a car bomb exploded in Baghdad.
- US warplanes launched air strikes on suspected rebel targets on Falluja
on Saturday night October 16, 2004. US warplanes bomb rebels there nearly
every day, hoping to destroy Zarqawi's suspected network. Residents say the
strikes kill only civilians. Falluja representatives and Iraqi insurgents
in the city say they have seen no evidence that Zarqawi is holed up there.
- US forces and Iraqi militants have been engaged in heavy fighting on the
eastern edge of the city of Falluja on October 17, 2004. US tanks and aircraft
pounded insurgent positions and the rebels responded with mortars and rocket-propelled
grenades. The troops have now pulled back but are maintaining a blockade around
the city.
- Wanting to eliminate the insurgency, the US military bombed rebel targets
in Falluja on October 20, 2004, denying claims by residents that a family
of six were killed in one of the raids. However a witness saw a man, a woman
and four children, two boys and two girls, being pulled out of the rubble
of a razed home.
- On October 31, 2004, the Iraqi interim Prime Minister, Ayad Allawi, said
that the effort to resolve peacefully the standoff in Falluja have failed
so far. He added that he is losing patience and that the town could be invaded
soon. He was preparing the Iraqis for the inevitable onslaught as many thousand
of insurgents are still in the city.
- While the American artillery hit so-called insurgent positions in Falluja,
the Iraqi interim Prime Minister, Ayad Allawi, was under pressure from Iraq's
president, Ghazi al-Yawer, to forbid the Americans to assault Falluja and
other Sunni strongholds but Falluja was again attacked by US planes on November
3, 2004.
- On November 4, 2004, the US planes and heavy guns are still hitting Falluja.
Moreover the talks aiming at averting the all-out assault have stalled once
more.
- On November 5, 2004, it is clear that the final assault on Falluja is not
far away now that Bush has been re-elected. Most civilians who could do it
have left the city leaving only the old and the sick people to suffer. On
the other hand the insurgents have had the time to prepare themselves. They
have built strong defences and they seem ready to give a hard time to the
invaders -Americans soldiers with the so-called help from Iraqi troops.
- On November 5, 2004, the USA, Britain and the interim Iraqi government dismissed
a warning by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, that a military offensive
in Falluja could jeopardise the upcoming elections by alienating the Sunni
Muslims. Kofi Annan suggested diplomatic rather that military actions.
- On November 6, 2004, the preparations for the assault on Falluja are more
or less complete. Thousand of American and Iraqi soldiers are ready to invade
the city. About two third of the population (normally 300,000) has left. The
interim Prime Minister, Ayad Allawi, has decided to impose a state of emergency
in all Iraq for 60 days.
- The assault on Falluja started on November 8, 2004, with the benediction
of the American appointed interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. With planes,
guns and tanks they seemed to enjoy destroying houses and furniture as well
as killing innocent people. In front of them they have insurgents armed with
guns as well as a few rocket and grenade propellers.
- The battle for Falluja went on the next day. The US troops are moving slowly
inside the city; perhaps their task is easier that they thought. It is not
known if the insurgents are pulling them to the centre of the town, if they
have left, or if they have decided not to fight. However at least 12 US soldiers
were killed these two days.
- On November 10, 2004, we were told that the American forces control about
70% of Falluja after heavy fighting. Mosques, described as arm depots by the
Americans, have been damaged. In the first two days of the Falluja battle
at least 11 US soldiers were killed as well as two Iraqis.
- On November 10 and 11, 2004, the massacre in Falluja went on with planes,
tanks and heavy guns destroying the city that is now mostly in American hands.
About 15,000 US soldiers and an unknown number of Iraqi troops are involved
in the battle. We have been told that at least 18 US soldiers were killed
as well as five Iraqis. The number of wounded is very high but it is not revealed.
It is thought that 500 to 600 insurgents were killed; the number of civilian
victims is unknown.
- On November 11, 2004, the US soldiers raided the homes and offices of two
prominent Iraqi Muslim clerics, Sheih Hareth al-Dhari and Sheik Mahdi al-Sumaidaie.
Both made speeches condemning the US assault on Falluja and for supporting
the insurgents. Sumaidaie criticised the Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini
al-Sistani for not condemning the offensive in Falluja.
- On November 13, 2004, the Americans have "total control" over
Falluja. Of course, they are still bombing it, shooting at it with big guns
and tanks; US soldiers are still cleaning the city centre house by house.
But it is over 20 months after the invasion of Iraq! And Bush said on May
1, 2003 that the main military operations were finished! "God Bless America",
it needs it urgently. Until now 22 US soldiers were killed in the assault
and about 170 were wounded. The estimated number of insurgents killed varies
from 600 to 1,600! Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has escaped.
- The city is badly damaged and its inhabitants are suffering without water,
electricity and food. All the sign of a humanitarian crisis are there and
there is little hope of sending help to the population in the near future.
An unknown number have been killed too. This is the way the US is bringing
freedom to the Iraqis: kill them first and destroy their country!
- On Sunday November 14, 2004, the Americans claimed "Victory" in.
What a victory when you fight 1,000 to 2,000 insurgents armed with small arms,
grenades and rockets with planes, helicopters, tanks, heavy guns, with about
19,000 soldiers!
- The battle for Falluja was still going on November 15 and 16, 2004. Most
of the city is in US hands but there are still some pockets of resistance.
More than 1,000 men aged between 15 and 55 have been arrested and classified
as insurgents. Only 15 of them are foreigners and here again the US military
authorities said, before the assault, that foreigners were numerous. Another
lie!
- On November 18, 2004, Falluja is still not fully pacified, as snipers have
to be killed one by one. It looks like the majority of the Iraqis want the
Americans out of their country. Until now 51 US soldiers and eight Iraqis
have been killing in the assault. Moreover 425 US soldiers and 40 Iraqis have
been wounded. The number of civilians killed is not known.
- On November 22, 2004, the Iraqi Red Crescent was able to bring and distribute
aid for the first time in Falluja since the assault on this city.
- On November 23, 2004, the battle was still going on in Falluja but with
minor intensity. The US military authorities said that 868 US soldiers were
wounded. Since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, 9,326 US troops were wounded.
- On November 23, 2004, US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld said that the
Iraqi troops behaved very well lately especially in Falluja. Before they were
said to be ineffective and some times working with the insurgents.
- On November 24, 2004, we were told that there were so many arms hidden in
Falluja that the search for them is delaying the return to their houses of
the civilians.
- On November 25, 2004, the Americans found a large cache of weapons in the
Falluja Saad Bin Abi Waqas Mosque where the insurgent leader Abdullah al-Janabi
often preached. They also have discovered a mobile bomb-making laboratory
that could have also been used to produce biological weapons such as anthrax.
But, as usual, all these are suppositions, no proof is given. They also admit
that more than 2,000 Iraqis were killed but they do not tell us how many civilians
are included in this number. As usual, for them, a dead Iraqi is a dead insurgent.
Even the children and babies. After all they could become insurgents too when
they grow up!
- In Falluja, the house-to-house cleaning continues on November 26, 2004.
Some fighting is still going on but 50% of the houses are safe.
- Still more arms are found in Falluja on November 29, 2004. The International
Red Cross said that many civilians trapped there are still suffering from
the lack of food, water, medicines, electricity, etc.
- In Falluja the number of US soldiers killed is now at least 71 as local
fighting goes on. This number is 20 higher that the last official report on
November 18.
- On December 10, 2004, representatives of the Red Cross entered Falluja for
the first time this week after the recent assault that devastated the city.
They discussed the sewage and water treatment needs with local authorities.
They did not visit the potato chip warehouse where the bodies of hundred insurgents
or civilian Iraqis were stored.
- On December 23, 2004, about 900 men were allowed to go back to see what
was left of their houses. First they had to go through the controls -finger
prints, eyes picture and body checks were performed. What most saw was destroyed
houses. Moreover there is no electricity, water or sewage. The Americans made
a good job bringing democracy there, sorry, destroying the city. There were
still some pockets of resistance and three Marines were killed. Families whose
houses were destroyed should receive up to the equivalent of $10,000 to help
reconstruct them.
- On January 5, 2005, the families of the four American Security Contractors
slain in Falluja and whose bodies were burned and dragged through the streets
of the city, sued the victims' former employer, Blackwater Security Consulting.
They claim that the firm did not provide the required security to its employees.
- On March 24, 2005, police patrolled the streets and imposed a sudden, late-afternoon
curfew, shouting through loudspeakers: "Close your stores and go home!"
They also set up checkpoints and searched cars in the city. No explanations
were given.
- A suicide car bomber blew up a vehicle next to a US Marine convoy in Falluja
late on Thursday June 23, 2005, causing several casualties. It is believed
that six US troops were killed. Three of the casualties were servicewomen.
At least 13 other people were injured in the attack -11 of them women.
- Three US soldiers were killed on Wednesday November 30, 2005, including
two Marines shot by small arms in Falluja in the Anbar province. The third
one was shot north of Baghdad. In addition another Marine died in a vehicle
accident near Falluja.
- A roadside bomb killed 10 US Marines near Falluja and wounded 11 others
on December 1, 2005.
- At the beginning of December 2005 it was confirmed that the Americans used
white phosphorus -some form of Napalm - on civilian targets in Falluja. Napalm
is forbidden by international laws on civilian targets. It has been suggested
that the Italian hostage, Giuliana Sgrena was close to reveal the truth when
she was kidnapped. When released her car was shot at and an Italian secret
service man was killed on their way to the Baghdad airport. It is believed
that she was going to talk and the Americans tried to keep her quiet. Unfortunately
the wrong person was killed.
- Iraqi police captured and mistakenly released militant leader Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi last year, the Iraqi deputy interior minister said on December
15, 2005. Zarqawi was detained in Falluja, but was released when nobody recognised
him. Police had detained Zarqawi for about three or four hours before releasing
him.
- On Tuesday 7, 2006, Sunni Arab cleric who headed the city council in the
western city of Falluja as he walked to work. Sheik Kamal Nazal was mortally
wounded by a hail of automatic fire that came from two black and red sedans.
The motive for the attack was unknown, but Nazal welcomed to Falluja last
month Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al Jaafari, a Shiite, and US Ambassador
Zalmay Khalilzad. Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgents opposed to al Jaafari's government
and the United States have previously targeted Iraqis deemed as collaborating
with Iraq's post-Saddam Hussein authorities.
The Falluja city council chairman, a critic of al-Qaida who took the job after his three predecessors were assassinated, was killed on Saturday April 21, 2007. Attackers in a passing car gunned down Sami Abdul-Amir al-Jumaili as he was walking outside his home in central Falluja, 65 kilometres west of Baghdad, according to police. His assassination came a month after taking the dangerous job, promising to improve services and to work with the Americans to ease traffic-clogging checkpoints in the city with a population of an estimated 150,000 to 200,000. The 65-year-old Sunni sheik was the fourth city council chairman to be killed in some 14 months as insurgents target fellow Sunnis willing to cooperate with the US and its Iraqi partners.
Three years after the massive US assault on Falluja, the city's mayor accused Iraq's central government on December 20, 2007, of starving the city of resources. Mayor Sa'ad Awad says Shia officials still consider the former insurgent stronghold a haven for Sunni militants. Support was particularly lacking for the city's 2,000-strong police force. The head of the US military in Falluja said he shared some of the mayor's concerns over scarce police resources.
On March 4, 2010 we were told that Doctors in the Iraqi city of Fallujah
are reporting a high level of birth defects, with some blaming weapons used
by the US after the Iraq invasion. The city witnessed fierce fighting in 2004
as US forces carried out a major offensive against insurgents. Now, the level
of heart defects among newborn babies is said to be 13 times higher than in
Europe. The US military says it is not aware of any official reports showing
an increase in birth defects in the area. John Simpson visited a new, US-funded
hospital in Fallujah where paediatrician Samira al-Ani told him that she was
seeing as many as two or three cases a day, mainly cardiac defects.