Fallujah (2016)

Fallujah (2016)
Conflict	Siege of Fallujah (2016)
Partof	Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Date	May–June 2016
Place	Fallujah, Anbar Governorate, Iraq
Result	Recapture of Fallujah by Iraqi government forces
Combatant1	Iraqi Armed Forces; Popular Mobilization Forces; Iraqi Special Operations Forces; Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service
Combatant2	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders1	Haider al-Abadi; Kadhim al-Hasnawi; Abdel-Wahab al-Saadi
Commanders2	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; Abu Muhammad al-Adnani
Casualties1	Hundreds killed and wounded
Casualties2	Several hundred killed
Casualties3	Tens of thousands displaced; civilian casualties disputed

Fallujah (2016) was a major 2016 military campaign to retake Fallujah from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) control during the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), part of wider operations in Anbar Governorate and the War on Terror. The offensive involved Iraqi security forces, Popular Mobilization Forces, and international partners including the United States Armed Forces in an advisory and support role. The operation followed earlier battles in Ramadi, Tikrit, and Mosul campaign (2016–17), and had significant strategic, humanitarian, and legal repercussions.

Background

By early 2014 ISIL had seized large parts of Iraq, including Mosul and Fallujah, prompting interventions by the Iraqi Government, regional actors such as Iran, and Western coalitions led by the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Fallujah held symbolic and logistical importance due to proximity to Baghdad, access to roads toward Ramadi and Karbala, and its history from the Iraq War and the Battle of Fallujah (2004). The city became a stronghold for ISIL leadership after fallbacks from Anbar, with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and ISIL cadres using urban terrain, tunnels, and improvised explosive devices similar to tactics seen in Siege of Kobani and Battle of Raqqa (2017).

Siege and Battle

In May 2016 Iraqi forces initiated an encirclement, drawing on lessons from Second Battle of Tikrit and the Battle of Ramadi (2015–16), conducting a multi-axis assault from the east, west, and south. The campaign combined ground advances by Iraqi Special Operations Forces and artillery with coalition airstrikes conducted by the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Urban fighting featured close-quarters engagements, house-to-house sweeps, and clearance operations akin to those in Battle of Mosul (2016–17). ISIL defenders employed suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, and booby-trapped buildings as seen previously at Palmyra and Aleppo. After weeks of combat the city center fell, culminating in the declaration of victory by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in late June 2016.

Military Forces and Tactics

Iraqi forces included elements of the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Federal Police, Counter Terrorism Service, and tribal militias aligned with the Popular Mobilization Forces, some units with ties to Hashd al-Shaabi leadership. Command and control drew on training from the United States Central Command, NATO advisors, and bilateral programs from Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps influence in logistics and mobilization. ISIL used asymmetric tactics developed in Iraq, Syria, and previous insurgencies, fielding battalions of foreign fighters and local cadres, employing tactical mines, sniper teams, and complex tunnel networks similar to methods seen in Grozny and Fallujah (2004). Combined arms operations featured coordination among infantry, armored units, engineers, and close air support providers from the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and French Air Force.

Civilian Impact and Humanitarian Situation

The siege precipitated a humanitarian crisis with mass displacement to Ramadi, Kirkuk, and Karbala and refugee flows toward Jordan and Syria. Humanitarian organizations including United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and UNHCR reported civilian casualties, shortages of water, food, medical care, and shelter. Reports echoed patterns from Battle of Aleppo and Siege of Mosul (2016–17) with allegations of forced evacuations and restricted humanitarian access. Internally displaced persons registered with Iraq's Ministry of Migration and Displacement, while NGOs such as International Rescue Committee and Save the Children provided relief; reconstruction needs were assessed by World Bank teams.

Aftermath and Reconstruction

Following liberation, stabilization efforts involved demining by United Nations Mine Action Service, rubble clearance by Iraqi Ministry of Municipalities, and reconstruction plans proposed by United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. Return of displaced residents required security guarantees from Iraqi authorities and local tribal leaders including prominent figures from Albu Issa and Dulaim confederations. Challenges included restoring utilities managed by Iraq National Electricity Company, repairing infrastructure funded by proposals debated in the Council of Representatives of Iraq, and vetting suspects through the Iraqi judiciary. Reconstruction echoed post-conflict efforts in Mosul and Benghazi with high financial and political costs.

International Response and War Crimes Allegations

International reactions combined support for counter-ISIL operations from the United States Department of State, European Union External Action Service, and regional actors such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, alongside concerns raised by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations Human Rights Council about civilian harm and possible violations of international humanitarian law. Allegations included indiscriminate use of artillery and airstrikes, unlawful detention, and summary executions paralleling accusations from Battle of Aleppo and Raqqa offensive (2017). Calls for investigations involved the International Criminal Court and ad hoc mechanisms discussed at the United Nations Security Council, though jurisdictional and political constraints affected prospects for prosecutions. International donors pledged reconstruction aid at conferences attended by United Nations Secretary-General, Barack Obama administration representatives, and later by Donald Trump administration envoys.

Category:Battles of the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017) Category:Anbar Governorate