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09/11/2004
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. However, US sources have voiced surprise that some potential hotspots – particularly around the Jolan district – were more fiercely defended.
It has been common knowledge for some weeks now that an assault was coming – time which has been used by the coalition to shut off Fallujah, and by the city's defenders to prepare booby-traps and fortify strongpoints.
Around 80% of the 250,000-strong population has fled the area, and it has been estimated that 2,500 militants were inside the city prior to the start of the fighting.
It has been reported that 14 US troops have died over the past 24 hours. However, it is not clear how many Iraqis have been killed inside Fallujah. Some observers have said that nature of the overwhelming force being deployed – in the form of air strikes, artillery, tank and heavy machine gun fire – can only mean casualties will be high.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Secretary of State, Colin Powell pledged that US forces in the area would do everything possible to minimise loss of civilian life.
He also said that it was time to deal with Fallujah as it had become a "magnet for terrorists and a source of instability in the Sunni Triangle".
He added: "I wouldn't say that this is the final battle or only battle or single defining moment. There will be many defining moments. We had a defining moment in Najaf a few weeks ago. We had a defining moment in Samara. And as you see, we've subsequently had additional action in Samarra but it is part of a process of restoring control of the Iraqi Interim Government over all the cities of Iraq: the south is reasonably stable; the north is stable; Sunni Triangle is a problem and Fallujah is the centre of the problem in the Sunni Triangle."
Speaking in the house of Commons last night, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that in order to secure a democratic Iraq the coalition had to "hold firm, be resolute and see this through, including in Fallujah".
"The action by allied and Iraqi forces underway in Fallujah would cease now, immediately, if the terrorists and insurgents who are using Fallujah as a base for terrorism would lay down their weapons and agree to participate in the elections," he said.
"They [militants] know that whilst Fallujah remains outside the control of the UN-endorsed government they can use it to wreck elections. And why do the terrorists fear elections? Because they know that given the chance to vote for their government, Iraqis would reject the extremism and fanaticism the terrorists represent."
(gmcg/mb)
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. However, US sources have voiced surprise that some potential hotspots – particularly around the Jolan district – were more fiercely defended.
It has been common knowledge for some weeks now that an assault was coming – time which has been used by the coalition to shut off Fallujah, and by the city's defenders to prepare booby-traps and fortify strongpoints.
Around 80% of the 250,000-strong population has fled the area, and it has been estimated that 2,500 militants were inside the city prior to the start of the fighting.
It has been reported that 14 US troops have died over the past 24 hours. However, it is not clear how many Iraqis have been killed inside Fallujah. Some observers have said that nature of the overwhelming force being deployed – in the form of air strikes, artillery, tank and heavy machine gun fire – can only mean casualties will be high.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Secretary of State, Colin Powell pledged that US forces in the area would do everything possible to minimise loss of civilian life.
He also said that it was time to deal with Fallujah as it had become a "magnet for terrorists and a source of instability in the Sunni Triangle".
He added: "I wouldn't say that this is the final battle or only battle or single defining moment. There will be many defining moments. We had a defining moment in Najaf a few weeks ago. We had a defining moment in Samara. And as you see, we've subsequently had additional action in Samarra but it is part of a process of restoring control of the Iraqi Interim Government over all the cities of Iraq: the south is reasonably stable; the north is stable; Sunni Triangle is a problem and Fallujah is the centre of the problem in the Sunni Triangle."
Speaking in the house of Commons last night, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that in order to secure a democratic Iraq the coalition had to "hold firm, be resolute and see this through, including in Fallujah".
"The action by allied and Iraqi forces underway in Fallujah would cease now, immediately, if the terrorists and insurgents who are using Fallujah as a base for terrorism would lay down their weapons and agree to participate in the elections," he said.
"They [militants] know that whilst Fallujah remains outside the control of the UN-endorsed government they can use it to wreck elections. And why do the terrorists fear elections? Because they know that given the chance to vote for their government, Iraqis would reject the extremism and fanaticism the terrorists represent."
(gmcg/mb)
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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.
28 April 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.
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.
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.
25 November 2004
Black Watch swoops against militants near Fallujah
Soldiers from the Black Watch battlegroup have made a number of arrests as part of a major crackdown in a residential area thought to harbour insurgents. News agencies have reported that more than 20 people are being questioned today following a search operation on the east bank of the Euphrates close to Fallujah involving over 500 British troops.
Black Watch swoops against militants near Fallujah
Soldiers from the Black Watch battlegroup have made a number of arrests as part of a major crackdown in a residential area thought to harbour insurgents. News agencies have reported that more than 20 people are being questioned today following a search operation on the east bank of the Euphrates close to Fallujah involving over 500 British troops.
09 April 2004
US-backed Fallujah ceasefire breaks down
An attempt by US forces to install a ceasefire in Fallujah – a city ravaged by six days of heavy fighting – appears to have failed. According to reports emerging from the area today the ceasefire, which was due to begin at 12pm local time, broke down within around 90 minutes.
US-backed Fallujah ceasefire breaks down
An attempt by US forces to install a ceasefire in Fallujah – a city ravaged by six days of heavy fighting – appears to have failed. According to reports emerging from the area today the ceasefire, which was due to begin at 12pm local time, broke down within around 90 minutes.
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