Timeline
- 7 November 2004: U.S. Marines stage just north of Fallujah. The city was under complete insurgent control with no American presence since April, and there were a large number of booby traps and IEDs set in place. Additionally, elevated sniper and fortified defensive positions had been created in preparation for a major offensive. American UAVs observed insurgents conducting live-fire exercises in the city in preparation for the coming attack.
- 8 November 2004: Operation Phantom Fury begins.
- 16 November 2004: American spokesmen describe fighting in the city as mopping up isolated pockets of resistance.
- 23 December 2004: Last pockets of resistance are neutralized. Three U.S. Marines are killed in the last skirmish, along with 24 insurgents. Operation Phantom Fury is the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War.
Read more about this topic: Second Battle Of Fallujah