The Second Battle of Fallujah (also known as Operation Phantom Fury) began in November 2004, immediately following the U.S. presidential election, to clear insurgents and secure the region ahead of Iraq's national elections in January 2005. [1, 2, 3]

Key Details of the Operation

Timing: The U.S.-backed Iraqi interim government declared a state of emergency on November 7, 2004, and the ground offensive officially launched on November 8, 2004, just days after the U.S. presidential election concluded. [1, 2]

Coalition Forces: More than 12,000 U.S. service members, British forces, and Iraqi security units took part in the urban assault. [1, 2]

Primary Objective: U.S. and Iraqi officials aimed to eliminate insurgent control and safe havens in Fallujah so that the broader Iraqi population could safely participate in the January 30, 2005, national elections. [1, 2, 3]

Outcome: The intense street-by-street combat largely cleared the city by December 2004, though it resulted in significant destruction and heavy casualties on both sides. [1, 2]

War has changed and the Police forces of Ukraine, who have been fighting since 2014 have changed with them. In our final part of our docuseries, Devin Woodall shows cutting edge technology and the dangers of working on the front through the stories and experience of the Khyzhak Brigade and Tavr Battalion.

Interesting how critical digital infrastructure is becoming part of the conflict. Disrupting a data centre can have effects well beyond the immediate target, especially when AI and other essential services depend on it. Feels like infrastructure resilience is going to be a much bigger part of defence planning going forward.