Fall of Fallujah (2014)

The Fall of Fallujah was the battle, and capture, of the city of Fallujah. It was on the first Iraqi cities to fall out of the control of the Iraqi Government, and resulted in the Anbar Campaign.

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

On 2 January 2014, Al-Qaeda seized control of parts of the town, as well as nearby Ramadi. ISIS fighters and its allies entered both cities, after the army withdrew from the area. Many videos showed ISIS forces clashes with police forces, and ISIS attack and seized the main police station. 100 inmates were freed, sized weapons and ammunition, and most police forces abandoned there posts.

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

On January 4, the town was taken by Sunni Rebels and Al-Qaeda 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. 60% of the town was reported to 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 ISIS 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.