Battle begins for city where 100 American troops died

cbsnews.com ^ | May 23, 2016 | Charlie D'Agata

[Berlin_Freeper]

The Iraqi government said the long-awaited battle to recapture the city of Fallujah began in the early hours of Monday. Video published online overnight purportedly shows heavy bombardment of the city before the advance of ground troops.

Prime Minister Haider al Abadi made a televised announcement that the operation had begun, vowing that Iraqi forces would "tear up the black flags" of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Fallujah.

Backed up by U.S. and coalition airstrikes, a combination of Iraqi troops, police and Shiite militias made early progress, pushing ISIS militants back out of the farmland surrounding the city and toward Fallujah itself.

There are an estimated 800-1,000 ISIS fighters in Fallujah, which has been extensively fortified with trenchs and minefields. Coming after them are upwards of 20,000 Iraqi forces, led by 1,500 members of the Counter Terrorism Services, 10,000 regular Army troops (many trained by the U.S.) and 8-10,000 Iraqi national police.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Iraqi forces retaking Fallujah [YouTube]

[BenLurkin]

Would much prefer that the entire city be carpet bombed.

Into rubble.

And then carpet bombed again.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Fallujah, a longtime bastion of Sunni Muslim jihadists about 30 miles from Baghdad, was the first city to fall to ISIS militants in January 2014.

[wbarmy]

I spent six months just outside of Fallujah from Nov 2003 to June 2004. There were some moments I really thought I was not going home.

But by the Grace of God!

[MeganC]

“Would much prefer that the entire city be carpet bombed. Into rubble. And then carpet bombed again.”

Don’t forget to poison the wells and salt the fields!

[MeganC]

Thank you for your service and thank you for coming home!!!

[angcat]

Thank you for your service!

[niteowl77]

Our family has what you might call "antipathy" for Fallujah. Flatten the b***h.

Mr. niteowl77

[WMarshal]

It is time to go Biblical on these mofos.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Five things you need to know about Fallujah

[Harpotoo]

I’m surprised there is anything but rubble there already.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Fallujah lang:en

[Berlin_Freeper]

ISIS Suicide Attack Kills 80 in Syria

[Berlin_Freeper]

bomb [click on the sound button]

[Berlin_Freeper]

http://mideast.liveuamap.com/

[Berlin_Freeper]

It's On.

MLRS fire mission at night, Fallujah, fired by Iraqi Army Forces or/and PMU

[Berlin_Freeper]

Footage from #Fallujah of the cancerous cowards #Daesh fleeing from the advance of Iraqi forces #Iraq pic.twitter.com/nbMVXDejXa— Ali Khadr (@AliKhadr_) May 23, 2016

[HarleyLady27]

Thank You for your service, and it’s great to have you here with us!!!

[mad_as_he$$]

Thank you!

[niteowl77]

That period was rough; thank God you made it back.

SGT Mr. niteowl77 Jr. was elsewhere in the "triangle" at the same time, but Fallujah ended up being particularly malignant as far as his unit was concerned.

Mr. niteowl77