Battle of Najaf (2004)

A Soldier looks through binoculars at smoke rising near the An Najaf cemetery in Iraq. The Soldier is assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. Soldiers and Marines, along with Iraqi National Guard troops, are fighting anti-Iraqi forces in Najaf.

U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit fight against Medhi Army militia members in the holy Shiite city of Najaf, Iraq, on Aug. 5, 2004.

A Muqtada Militia weapons cache found by U.S. Marines in a parking garage near the Imam Ali Shrine in An Najaf, Iraq, on Aug. 26, 2004.

An anti-aircraft gun is part of the weapons found by U.S. Marines in a parking garage near the Imam Ali Shrine in An Najaf, Iraq, on Aug. 26, 2004.

Muqtada Militia weapons and munitions found by U.S. Marines in a parking garage next to the Imam Ali Shrine in An Najaf, Iraq, on Aug. 26, 2004. According to the Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide the objects seem to be stabilizing fins + tracer filling for belgian made 90-mm HE-T oder HEP-T grenades.

Iraqi National Guard (ING) Soldiers assigned to the 405th Battalion, 50th ING Brigade, raise their 7.62mm AK-47 assault rifles into the air as they chant a celebratory cheer during the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of their new barracks in An Najaf, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

A United Kingdom 94mm Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) 80, found by Iraqi Security Forces during a raid of a Muqtada al Sadr safe house in An Najaf, An Najaf Province, Iraq, is displayed by U.S. Marine Corps Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable, Sept. 21, 2004. These caches were found in different buildings among the city and are in direct violation of the peace agreement between the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Husaini al-Sistani, highest religious authority and leader of the Hawza (Najaf), and al Sadr, an agreement blessed by the Iraqi Interim Government. The 4th MARDIV is engaged in Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in the Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (USMC Photo by Cpl. Dick S. Kotecki) (Released) Image cropped and rotated for a better focus on the LAW 80.

A United Kingdom 94mm Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) 80, found by Iraqi Security Forces during a raid of a Muqtada al Sadr safe house in An Najaf, An Najaf Province, Iraq, is displayed by U.S. Marine Corps Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable, Sept. 21, 2004. These caches were found in different buildings among the city and are in direct violation of the peace agreement between the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Husaini al-Sistani, highest religious authority and leader of the Hawza (Najaf), and al Sadr, an agreement blessed by the Iraqi Interim Government. The 4th MARDIV is engaged in Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in the Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (USMC Photo by Cpl. Dick S. Kotecki) (Released)

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM II Base: An Najaf Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Camera Operator: CPL Matthew S. Richards, USMC Release Status: Released to Public

A U.S. Marine Corps M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC), in convoy along the streets of An Najaf, An Najaf Province, Iraq, on Aug. 12, 2004, during a raid of the Muqtada Militia strong points in the area.

A night vision view of a U.S. Marine Corps Marine, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/4), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable), as he stands ready with his 5.56 mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) during combat operations in An Najaf, An Najaf Province, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2004. The 11th MEU and Iraqi National Guard units continue to battle Anti-Coalition Forces in the An Najaf area.

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- Iraqis share a laugh with a U.S. Army soldier during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- U.S. Army military police provide crowd control while Iraqi citizens line up for food and water being distributed to citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- U.S. Marine Corps Major Chris Hughes shares some time with an Iraqi girl during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- Iraqis share a laugh with a U.S. Army soldier during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- A U.S. Army soldier looks on while a truck loaded with fresh water arrives from Kuwait during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- An Iraqi boy smiles as he talks with a U.S. Army soldier during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- An Iraqi boy greets a U.S. Army soldier during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- Iraqis share a laugh with a U.S. Army Specialist Michael Toro during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Near Al Najaf, Iraq (April 08, 2003) -- Iraqis share a laugh with a U.S. Army Specialist Michael Toro during an effort to distribute food and water to Iraqi citizens in need. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Najaf, Iraq (Apr. 08, 2003) -- Private Christopher Busby from Paymane, Ala., rests after a long ride in a convoy from Kuwait to the central Iraqi city of Najaf. Private Busby is a member of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Najaf, Iraq (Apr. 8, 2003) -- Jubilant Iraqis cheer U.S. Army Soldiers at a humanitarian aid compound in the city of Najaf. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)

Najaf, Iraq (Jan. 21, 2005) - Potential poll workers for the upcoming Iraqi elections wait to apply for permits. The historic Iraqi election will mark the first democratic elections since the country was first established in 1919. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Calvert Todd Frantom (RELEASED)

Najaf, Iraq (Jan. 24, 2005) - Seabees set up barbed-wire barricades for protection prior to the start of the day’s work. Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seven (NMCB-7) are working in partnership with residents of a small Bedouin village on the outskirts of Najaf, Iraq, to build a school and to implement improvements to the village water, electricity, and sanitation facilities. U.S. photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom (RELEASED)

Najaf, Iraq (Jan. 24, 2005) – Ens. Majid Awad from Bahrain, plays with local Iraqi children. Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seven (NMCB-7) are working in partnership with residents of a small Bedouin village on the outskirts of Najaf, Iraq, to build a school and to implement improvements to the village water, electricity, and sanitation facilities. U.S. photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom (RELEASED)