Abdul-Aziz al-Samarrai mosque

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The Abdul-Aziz al-Samarrai mosque is a mosque in Iraq that came to worldwide attention when militants holed up inside it directed small-arms and rocket fire at US Marines. US forces returned fire, according to a field-grade Marine officer.

A brigadier general intentionally demolished the religious building. He said the mosque would ordinarily have protection under the Geneva Convention, but added that the attacks from inside the building caused it to lose its status. It was initially claimed that some 40 rebels had been killed in the strike, but it was later stated that no bodies were actually found at the scene.

Other sources claim as many as 50 were killed in the attack.