Fallujah During The Iraq War - 2003 Invasion of Iraq

2003 Invasion of Iraq

Although the majority of the residents were Sunni and had supported Saddam Hussein's rule, Fallujah was one of the most peaceful areas of the country just after his fall. There was very little looting and the new mayor of the city—Taha Bidaywi Hamed, selected by local tribal leaders—was pro-United States. When the U.S. 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.