Fallujah during the Iraq War

The United States occupation of Fallujah began in April 2003, one month following the beginning of the invasion of Iraq. In April 2003 US forces opened fire on a group of demonstrators, claiming they were fired at. Fallujah's mayor, Taha Bedaiwi al-Alwani, said that two people were killed and 14 wounded. - by Pepe Escobar, Asia Times (2 December 2004)

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...
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