Assassins' Gate, Sandstone gate in Baghdad, Iraq
Assassins' Gate is one of four primary entry points to the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. The source describes it as a sandstone arch; it stands by the Jumhuriyah Bridge, where Assassins Company repelled a pre-dawn counterattack on April 8, 2003. A vehicle-borne bomb attack there on January 18, 2004 left a crater about 0.9 m deep.
The gate became a focal point during the 2003 invasion when US forces clashed with Iraqi soldiers and fighters in the area. This period marked a pivotal moment in the military reshaping of Baghdad and the city's transformation.
The name Assassins' Gate comes from Assassins Company, the radio call sign of Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, part of Task Force 464 during the 2003 invasion. It has no Iraqi origin. The gate is described as a sandstone arch, and Iraqis passed through it each morning to reach jobs inside the Green Zone.
Access to the gate requires special permits and security clearances due to its location within a restricted military zone. Visitors should be aware they are approaching a heavily secured area and should expect rigorous security procedures.
The name comes from Alpha Company of the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, whose radio call sign was "Assassins". The unit entered Baghdad on 7 April 2003 and held the gate for months afterwards.
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