31 March 2004 Fallujah ambush
- 31 March 2004 Fallujah ambush
-
| 31 March 2004 Fallujah ambush |
| Part of Iraq War |
| Type |
Ambush |
| Location |
Fallujah, Iraq
|
| Target |
Blackwater USA personnel |
| Date |
March 31, 2004 (2004-03-31) |
| Executed by |
Iraqi insurgents |
| Casualties |
4 killed
|
On March 31, 2004 an ambush saw Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah attack a convoy containing four United States contractors from the private security company Blackwater USA, who were conducting delivery for food caterers ESS.[1]
The four armed contractors, Scott Helvenston, Jerko Zovko, Wesley Batalona and Mike Teague, were killed, dragged from their cars, beaten, and set ablaze. Their burned corpses were then dragged through the streets before being hanged over a bridge crossing the Euphrates.
Photos of the event were released to news agencies worldwide, causing a great deal of indignation in the United States, and prompting the announcement of a counter-insurgency campaign in the city.
This led to a US operation to occupy the city in the First Battle of Fallujah that was halted at midpoint for political reasons, and a later successful attempt seven months later in the Second Battle of Fallujah.
The families of the victims filed suit (Helvenston et al. v. Blackwater Security) against Blackwater USA for wrongful death in January 2005. According to a 2010 article in Men's Journal, the personal wealth of Blackwater's founder, Erik Prince, made him an easy target for the lawsuit.[2]
References
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Fallujah during the Iraq War — Map showing the location of Fallujah in Iraq The United States occupation of Fallujah began in April 2003, one month following the beginning of the invasion of Iraq. In April 2003 US forces opened fire on a group of demonstrators, claiming they… … Wikipedia
First Battle of Fallujah — Part of the Iraq War A U.S. Marine from the 1st Marine Division mans an M 240G machine gun outside … Wikipedia
Dates of 2004 — ▪ 2005 January It turns out we were all wrong, probably, in my judgment. David Kay, former U.S. chief weapons inspector in Iraq, in testimony to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, January 28 January 1 Haitian Pres. Jean… … Universalium
Iraq spring fighting of 2004 — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Iraq Spring Fighting of 2004 partof=the Post invasion Iraq caption=Marines peer over a building top to fix in enemy targets in Fallujah. date=April 4, 2004 ndash;June 24, 2004 place= Iraq result=Indecisive… … Wikipedia
September 2004 — NOTOC September 2004 : January February March April May June July August September October November December See also: September 2004 in sportsEventsSeptember 1, 2004* Alu Alkhanov is confirmed as the winner of the presidential election in… … Wikipedia
October 2004 — October 2004: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December See also: October 2004 in sports Events << … Wikipedia
Timeline of the Iraq War — For events before May 1, 2003, see Timeline of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. v … Wikipedia
Scott Helvenston — Stephen Scott Helvenston (June 21, 1965 – March 31 2004) was a former United States Navy SEAL, and worked as a security contractor for Blackwater Security when he was killed in the infamous 31 March 2004 Fallujah ambush within days of arriving in … Wikipedia
Private military company — A private military company (PMC) provides specialized expertise or services of a military nature, sometimes called or classified as mercenary ( soldiers for hire ). [cite journal|journal=Foreign Affairs|url=http://www.brookings.edu/views/articles/… … Wikipedia
Helvenston et al. v. Blackwater Security — is the lawsuit for wrongful death filed by the families of the four contractors for Blackwater Security who were slain in the 31 March 2004 Fallujah ambush [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/17/news/iraq.php?page=1 Iraqis revoke license of… … Wikipedia
