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08/11/2004
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.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has given the go-ahead for an all out attack on Fallujah to clear the city of 'terrorists'. He also authorised a series of emergency measures with a curfew imposed on the city from 15.00hrs GMT (18.00hrs local time); Baghdad airport has been closed down for 48 hours; and the borders with Syria and Jordan have been effectively closed except for essential supplies.
Mr Allawi said the measures were necessary to protect the Iraqi people and prevent the terrorists from fleeing the country as the multi-national military operation began.
In earlier military operations, US-led forces seized control of the city's largest hospital and secured two vital bridges crossing the Euphrates.
Elsewhere in Iraq there have been fierce clashes with insurgents in Ramadi and heavy gunfire has been reported in Baghdad.
Militants in the city of Fallujah are reported to be prepared to use civilians as human shields and to mount suicide attacks if provoked.
(SP)
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.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has given the go-ahead for an all out attack on Fallujah to clear the city of 'terrorists'. He also authorised a series of emergency measures with a curfew imposed on the city from 15.00hrs GMT (18.00hrs local time); Baghdad airport has been closed down for 48 hours; and the borders with Syria and Jordan have been effectively closed except for essential supplies.
Mr Allawi said the measures were necessary to protect the Iraqi people and prevent the terrorists from fleeing the country as the multi-national military operation began.
In earlier military operations, US-led forces seized control of the city's largest hospital and secured two vital bridges crossing the Euphrates.
Elsewhere in Iraq there have been fierce clashes with insurgents in Ramadi and heavy gunfire has been reported in Baghdad.
Militants in the city of Fallujah are reported to be prepared to use civilians as human shields and to mount suicide attacks if provoked.
(SP)
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