The battle for the bridges of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, was one of the most important engagements of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a baptism by fire for joint urban operations (JUO) doc- trine. At 0400 local time on 23 March 2003, tanks and a combined antiarmor team from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, entered the city as lead elements for the battalion. The unit had as its objective three key bridges north of the city. Terrain of questionable trafficability kept the advancing vehicles predominantly road-bound. Three brigades of Iraqi fighters defended the city, and units from the Republican Guard, Saddam Fedayeen, Al Quds, and regular army lay in wait in an area that marines had already named "ambush alley."

"September 2004."