Before beginning their attack, U.S. and Iraqi forces had established checkpoints around the city to prevent anyone from entering, and to intercept insurgents attempting to flee.
Før de amerikanske og irakiske styrker begyndte angrebet, etablerede de en række kontrolposter rundt om byen for at forhindre folk i at rejse ind i byen, og for at opsnappe oprørere der forsøgte at flygte.