[5] A coalition military force consisting of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines were stationed to defend the city from an insurgent assault.

[3] In April 2004, Fallujah was under siege by Coalition Forces and insurgents were looking to relieve pressure on the city by attempting an offensive of their own.

Ramadi, the capital of Al Anbar Province, was seen as a center of gravity to coalition forces, and thus a critical city in western Iraq.

At approximately the same time just to the east, one of the battalion’s sniper teams set up near the Euphrates River was attacked by 12 to 15 men.

A quick reaction force was dispatched to reinforce the patrol when it engaged with the enemy still further to the east of the city.