The [[Battle of Karbala]] (March 31 to April 6, 2003), took place during the US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq as US Army troops and marines forces fought to clear the city of Iraqi Army and Fedayeen forces. US divisions involved in the battle included the US Army 3rd Infantry Division, the 1st Armored Division, and the 101st Airborne Division. Iraqi forces consisted of members of the Republican Guard, Saddam Fedayeen and Syrian mercenaries. The city had been bypassed during the armored advance to Baghdad, leaving three US divisions and supporting units to clear it in two days of street fighting battles against fierce resistance.
On 29 March, a suicide bomber (identified as Ali Jaafar al-Noamani, a noncommissioned officer), killed 4 US soldiers (Sergeant Eugene Williams, Corporal Michael Curtin and Privates First Class Michael Weldon and Diego Rincon), on Highway 9 on the outskirts of Karbala.