Knowra Fallujah Fallujah A city in Iraq’s Al Anbar Governorate, west of Baghdad, Fallujah became a major battleground during the Iraq War and later faced prolonged conflict with the Islamic State.
First Battle of Fallujah : A US-led military operation in Fallujah in April 2004, halted after intense fighting and political pressure. This first major 2004 battle preceded the larger campaign later that year.
Al Anbar Governorate : A large governorate in western Iraq, bordering Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Fallujah is one of the governorate’s principal cities.
Sunnis in Iraq : The largest religious minority in Iraq, with communities concentrated in several central and western regions. Fallujah’s population is predominantly Sunni Arab, a fact relevant to post-invasion politics.
Depleted uranium : Uranium with a reduced proportion of uranium-235, used in some armor-piercing munitions and military armor. Claims about its use and possible health effects became part of post-battle controversy.
Anbar Awakening : A tribal movement in Anbar that turned against al-Qaeda in Iraq and allied with US forces from 2006. Its shift in local alliances changed the balance of insurgent power around Fallujah.
Second Battle of Fallujah : A US and Iraqi offensive in November–December 2004 to retake Fallujah from insurgent groups. The battle devastated parts of the city and became a defining Iraq War episode.
Euphrates : A major river of western Asia that flows through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Fallujah lies near the Euphrates, whose valley links settlements across western Iraq.
United States Marine Corps : A branch of the United States armed forces specializing in expeditionary and amphibious operations. Marine units led major US combat operations in Fallujah in 2004.
White phosphorus : A pyrophoric substance used in military munitions for smoke, illumination, and incendiary effects. Its use in Fallujah in 2004 prompted disputes about weapons and civilian harm.
Battle of Ramadi : A series of battles for Ramadi, the capital of Al Anbar Governorate, during the Iraq War and later conflict. Ramadi and Fallujah were neighboring centers of insurgency and counterinsurgency.
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