Allied forces suffered more than 100 military and civilian deaths in November, the deadliest month to date in Iraq. The ‘Battle of Samarra’ occurred during a particularly bloody weekend in which 14 Coalition soldiers were killed. Details and images had surfaced of Iraqis celebrating at the site of the killings of Spanish soldiers, dancing and kicking the corpses. The insurgency was in full flower.

On November 30, 2003, a planned distribution of new Iraqi dinars, no longer bearing the face of deposed leader Saddam Hussein, was ordered for two banks in the city of Samarra. A total force of 93 coalition soldiers from the 66th Armored Regiment, two squads of military police, and four squads of infantry were employed to provide security to the currency exchange team. The convoy included eight tanks, four Bradley fighting vehicles, and six up-armored HMMWVs.

By 11am, the troops began to pre-position in advance of the convoy arrival. Coalition forces reported contact with the enemy and the simultaneous explosion of two roadside bombs. With three soldiers injured, the unit continued the mission. By 12:45pm, security elements were in place around the Samarra bank, on the east side of the city, and Al Mulya Bank, on the west side.

When the convoy arrived at the Samarra bank at 1:25pm, members of Fedayeen Saddam were lying in wait. Small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire came from the windows and roofs of nearby buildings, as well as from nearby vehicles and alleyways. Coalition forces returned fire to defeat the enemy while the currency exchange was executed. Two coalition soldiers were injured, as well as a member of the exchange team. Twenty-four enemies were estimated to be killed.

The convoy departed at about 2pm, but as coalition forces moved north out of the city, the enemy attempted to barricade the road and trap the exchange team. The barricade was run down by friendly-force tank power, and soldiers began to engage the enemy again. Saddam loyalists shot small-arms fire and attempted to launch rocket-propelled grenades. Five were killed.

At approximately 1:40pm and across town, coalition forces at the Al Mulya Bank were attacked by enemy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenades. At least 12 attackers, all armed with AK-47s and RPGs, emerged from a nearby mosque, firing at coalition forces. After engaging in this initial battle, soldiers again came under fire from additional enemy forces positioned on adjacent rooftops or behind gates and walls on the ground. The coalition estimated 22 suspected members of Fedayeen Saddam were killed. With the dinar exchange completed, the convoy moved back out of the city.

After the Samarra ambush, there was a reported sense of anger among local Iraqi people, who say the US-led response was indiscriminate and unnecessary. Troops maintain that while carrying out an essential mission toward liberation, any means of force was not only fully justifiable, but should have been expected.