Fall of Fallujah

For the battle that began in 2016 as a siege, see Siege of Fallujah (2016). For other battles in Fallujah, see Battle of Fallujah (disambiguation).

Fall of Fallujah
Part of the Anbar campaign, the War in Iraq and the war on terror
Date 30 December 2013 – 4 January 2014 (5 days) Location Fallujah, Iraq 33.3667°N 43.7667°E / 33.3667; 43.7667 Result Major IS victory, beginning of the War in Iraq (2013–2017) Territorial changes IS takes control of Fallujah.
Belligerents
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Wilayat al-Fallujah	Republic of Iraq Iraqi Armed Forces Iraqi Police
Strength
200–300 fighters	10,000+ soldiers
Casualties and losses
50+ fighters killed	458+ soldiers killed or executed

The fall of Fallujah was a battle in the city of Fallujah in western Iraq that took place from late 2013 to early 2014, in which Islamic State (IS) and other Sunni insurgents captured the city of Fallujah. It was one of the first Iraqi cities to fall out of the control of the Iraqi Government, and resulted in the Anbar campaign.

Battle

On 30 December 2013, Iraqi forces dismantled a Sunni protest camp, which angered many people. Gunmen proceeded to attack deployed army patrols on the highway.

On 2 January 2014, ISIL seized control of parts of the town, as well as nearby Ramadi. After the army withdrew from the area, IS fighters and its allies entered both cities. Many videos showed IS forces clashing with police forces, and IS attacks and seizures on the main police station. 100 inmates were freed, weapons and ammunition were seized, and most police forces abandoned their posts.

On January 3, Fallujah was reportedly under the control of Sunni jihadists, but Iraq said the city remained contested. The jihadists raised their black flag in Fallujah, took over all police stations, and military posts after security forces left the city, set police vehicles ablaze and brandished their weapons.

On January 4, the town was taken by Sunni jihadists and ISIL fighters. The Iraqi army shelled the city with mortars in an attempt to wrestle back the town, but resulted in the deaths of 8 people and wounded 30, while 60% of the town was reported to be under rebel control. Much later, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to eliminate "all terrorist groups" in a statement on national television. The police chief of the Anbar said that Iraqi forces were in control of the outskirts of Fallujah, but the city itself was held by IS and its allies. Sunni tribesmen refused to let Iraqi forces into the city, but held negotiations with them. Iraqi forces proceeded to shell the city from a nearby military base, before eventually withdrawing.

Aftermath

Main articles: Siege of Fallujah (2016) and Third Battle of Fallujah

Four months later, the War in Iraq of 2013 to 2017 escalated. Two years later, Iraqi Government recaptured the city.

See also

• Fall of Mosul
• Second Battle of Tikrit
• Anbar campaign (2015–2016)
• Battle of Ramadi (2014–2015)
• Battle of Ramadi (2015–2016)
• List of wars and battles involving IS