Battle of Fallujah appears to have begun

Several sources, including CBS News, report that U.S. and Iraqi forces have entered western Fallujah early Monday local time (late evening Sunday in the U.S.), capturing two key bridges over the Euphrates and securing the main hospital in Fallujah. All traffic in and out of the city was halted on Sunday by the 1st Cavalry 2nd BCT (not affiliated with the 2nd ID 2nd BCT covered in this blog). The road closures also apply to Ramadi.

An AP report discusses a motivational speech from Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, under which the 2nd BCT operates. According to the article: "Two Marine battalions, along with a battalion from the Army's 1st Infantry Division, will be the lead units sent into a Fallujah attack." A previous AP Report indicated that "Troops from the Army's 2nd Infantry Division are expected to seal off western approaches to the city."