Huge Changes Since 2004 Mark Return To Stable Conditions
Once known for the beauty of its mosques, the city of Fallujah has seen a great deal of change. Fighting in Fallujah has been some of the heaviest seen in the entire Iraqi War. In the winter of 2003-2004, Fallujah was the focus of an Iraqi and U.S. Forces Joint offensive.
Then, for the most part, Fallujah was left on its own until November 2004.
In November 2004 the U.S. Military returned to Fallujah, to find that during the time between April and November, Al-Qaida had booby-trapped houses, built up IED locations, and generally made the city into a ticking time bomb. During November and December of 2004, slowly, painstakingly Iraqi and U.S. Forces had been going house to house, finding and disarming booby traps, and slowly retaking the City.
The famous Operation Al Fajr, “The Dawn” in the Arabic language ended just before Christmas of 2004. Three years later, some of the same Marines that helped free the city are back, to help the city of Fallujah to rebuild, and to encourage the moving back into homes by some of the former residents.
About three months ago, Soldiers and Engineers with the Third Battalion, 5th Marine Regimental Combat Team Six have returned to finish the job. There is a huge change now compared to what used to be standard operating procedure. The Marines remain totally vigilant and focused on keeping the insurgents out of the city.
Now, the daily environment is quiet, the city, calm. Pop shots and explosions are few and sparse, and the only attack now is by enthusiastic kids wanting attention, not insurgents. Families are just now starting to move back into Fallujah, and confidence is high.
