Fallujah: Story of the US assault

The American siege of Fallujah in March was the most controversial military action undertaken since the end of the war.

For a month the US marines encircled the Sunni stronghold, 36 miles west of the capital Baghdad. But the massive bombardment of Fallujah city did little to quell the resistance.

Hundreds of civilians are thought to have lost their lives, and the US army finally retreated.

The importance of the Battle of Falluja was recognised by President Bush in his keynote speech earlier this week - praising US troops for their handling of the revolt by avoiding the use of massive strikes that would alienate the local population.

But that account is not supported by what we've found on the ground.

Tara Sutton was one of the first reporters to enter Fallujah after the siege - and has since returned several times.

In this exlusive report for Channel 4 News she pieces together the extraordinary events that marked a turning point for the United States in Iraq. Our report does contain some disturbing images.

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