28/04/2004
Coalition forces engage rebels in Fallujah
In one of the fiercest exchanges since the end of the war in Iraq, insurgents in the city of Fallujah have come under sustained bombardment by US forces.
In one of their most intensive uses of firepower, American tanks and aircraft have pounded the rebel forces in the city.
US Marine commanders have denied that this signals the start of an all-out attack on Fallujah. They claimed that the besieging of the predominantly Sunni Muslim city was in response to breaches of the tenuous and frequently violated local ceasefire.
The US military operation in Fallujah began on April, following the killings of four Amercian civilian contractors in the city. Fallujah, which lies 30 miles west of Baghdad, has been a hotbed of armed opposition to the US-led occupation in Iraq.
The latest bombardment has focused on the Jolan neighbourhood, a district of narrow alleyways and ramshackle houses that is considered a focus of militant resistance. Iraqi hospitals reported that two people were injured in the fighting, but there has been no information about any Iraqis being killed.
US forces have also been battling with insurgents in the Shia holy city of Najaf, where 64 Iraqis were killed at the start of the week.
US administrators have said that they want to avoid an all-out assault on Fallujah.
In New York, UN senior adviser Lakhdar Brahimi warned Iraq’s US-led administration that an armed confrontation with insurgents in Fallujah would lead to major bloodshed and could have long-lasting consequences.
(KmcA)
In one of their most intensive uses of firepower, American tanks and aircraft have pounded the rebel forces in the city.
US Marine commanders have denied that this signals the start of an all-out attack on Fallujah. They claimed that the besieging of the predominantly Sunni Muslim city was in response to breaches of the tenuous and frequently violated local ceasefire.
The US military operation in Fallujah began on April, following the killings of four Amercian civilian contractors in the city. Fallujah, which lies 30 miles west of Baghdad, has been a hotbed of armed opposition to the US-led occupation in Iraq.
The latest bombardment has focused on the Jolan neighbourhood, a district of narrow alleyways and ramshackle houses that is considered a focus of militant resistance. Iraqi hospitals reported that two people were injured in the fighting, but there has been no information about any Iraqis being killed.
US forces have also been battling with insurgents in the Shia holy city of Najaf, where 64 Iraqis were killed at the start of the week.
US administrators have said that they want to avoid an all-out assault on Fallujah.
In New York, UN senior adviser Lakhdar Brahimi warned Iraq’s US-led administration that an armed confrontation with insurgents in Fallujah would lead to major bloodshed and could have long-lasting consequences.
(KmcA)
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10 November 2004
Coalition forces claim control over two-thirds of Fallujah
US forces are now in control of around two-thirds of Fallujah following a third day of fierce street fighting. Marines have encountered pockets of strong resistance but have managed to gain control over several key landmark buildings in the city, including a number of bridges and the mayor's compound.
Coalition forces claim control over two-thirds of Fallujah
US forces are now in control of around two-thirds of Fallujah following a third day of fierce street fighting. Marines have encountered pockets of strong resistance but have managed to gain control over several key landmark buildings in the city, including a number of bridges and the mayor's compound.
08 November 2004
Fallujah attack underway by US-led forces
The insurgent-held Iraqi city of Fallujah has come under heavy assault by US-led coalition forces and Iraqi government forces. The attack was preceeded by an artillery and aerial gunship barrage on selected targets as the long-expected anti-insurgent operation got underway earlier today.
Fallujah attack underway by US-led forces
The insurgent-held Iraqi city of Fallujah has come under heavy assault by US-led coalition forces and Iraqi government forces. The attack was preceeded by an artillery and aerial gunship barrage on selected targets as the long-expected anti-insurgent operation got underway earlier today.
07 April 2004
US airstrike on Fallujah mosque kills 'at least 40'
At least 40 suspected insurgents have been killed in an airstrike against a mosque in the western Iraqi city of Fallujah today. According to Reuters, a US airforce jet hit the mosque with a laser-guided bomb after a large number of insurgents barricaded themselves inside. The Abdulaziz al-Samarai mosque was destroyed in the attack.
US airstrike on Fallujah mosque kills 'at least 40'
At least 40 suspected insurgents have been killed in an airstrike against a mosque in the western Iraqi city of Fallujah today. According to Reuters, a US airforce jet hit the mosque with a laser-guided bomb after a large number of insurgents barricaded themselves inside. The Abdulaziz al-Samarai mosque was destroyed in the attack.
08 April 2004
Hundreds killed as US troops battle with Iraqi militants
More than 35 US soldiers and 450 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in country-wide clashes between rebel militias and Coalition forces since the weekend, according to reports emerging from Iraq today. Around 300 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in Fallujah where US forces have been attempting to regain control of the city.
Hundreds killed as US troops battle with Iraqi militants
More than 35 US soldiers and 450 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in country-wide clashes between rebel militias and Coalition forces since the weekend, according to reports emerging from Iraq today. Around 300 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in Fallujah where US forces have been attempting to regain control of the city.
09 November 2004
Coalition forces push further into Fallujah
US forces are pushing further into Fallujah and have gained control over the northern third of the city, according to news agencies. On the second day of the assault, the 15-strong coalition force has been met with pockets of strong resistance from militants armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.
Coalition forces push further into Fallujah
US forces are pushing further into Fallujah and have gained control over the northern third of the city, according to news agencies. On the second day of the assault, the 15-strong coalition force has been met with pockets of strong resistance from militants armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.