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U.S. Continues Major Attack on Fallujah
U.S. forces battled insurgents around the rebel stronghold of Fallujah on Sunday. Fierce clashes between U.S. troops and insurgents broke out on a highway east of Fallujah and in the southern part of the city. The road, which leads to Baghdad, has been completely blocked. Residents reported fresh aerial and artillery attacks as explosions boomed across the city. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Askari and Shuhada neighborhoods in eastern and southern Fallujah as families began to flee the area, residents reported. They said a Humvee was seen burning in the eastern edge of the city. Hospital officials said three civilians were injured in the clashes. By sundown, U.S. troops had pulled back, setting up a checkpoint southwest of the city, witnesses said. Fallujah, 40 miles west of the capital, is considered the toughest stronghold of insurgents. Commanders have been speaking of a possible new offensive to wrest it out and other cities of militants' control, and the Marines said Saturday they had tightened their cordon around the city to keep suspected terrorists from fleeing the area. Still, officials have said that intensified airstrikes and fighting over the past week don't mark the start of a new operation.Posted by: Fred 2004-10-17 |
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