BAGHDAD, 18 October 2004 — US warplanes bombed Fallujah and troops fought insurgents on the ground as the Iraqi government appealed to residents of the city to expel “foreign terrorists” and “murderers” to prevent an all-out attack. Four civilians, including a child, were killed in the violence, hospital officials said. A child and a woman were among 12 wounded.
Throughout the day, the crackle of automatic weapons fire and the thud of artillery echoed across Fallujah, 65 km west of Baghdad, as fighting between American troops and insurgents raged on the eastern and southern edges of the city. The battles subsided at dusk after US forces pulled back from forward positions.
American forces have stepped up attacks around Fallujah since peace talks between the Iraqi government and Fallujah clerics broke down last Thursday after city leaders rejected Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s demand to hand over “foreign terrorists,” including Jordanian-born extremist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.
Fallujah clerics insist Zarqawi, whose Tawhid wal Jihad movement has claimed responsibility for multiple suicide car-bombings and hostage beheadings, is not in the city.
In a statement posted on the Internet, Tawhid wal Jihad yesterday pledged allegiance to Osama Bin Laden and said it was in contact with Al-Qaeda over operations in Iraq.
Elsewhere, police said that nine Iraqi policemen returning from training in Jordan were ambushed and killed Saturday in Latifiyah, an insurgent stronghold 40 km south of Baghdad.
Along the Syrian border, clashes on Saturday night between US troops and insurgents left four people dead and 13 others wounded, Dr. Wael Al-Duleimi said from the border town of Qaim. The city is a hotbed of insurgent activity and is believed to be a major route for smuggling weapons and fighters into Iraq.
Meanwhile, preliminary investigations into the refusal of 18 US soldiers to go on a convoy mission in Iraq showed they had raised concerns about safety and the condition of their vehicles, the army said.
The 18 soldiers are back on duty pending the outcome of investigations and no disciplinary action has yet been taken.
The US military runs about 250 convoys a day, involving up to 3,000 vehicles, to supply and equip its troops in Iraq and they are frequently attacked by insurgents.
“The command is taking action to address soldier concerns as well as to maintain discipline,” Brig. Gen. James Chambers said.
— Additional input from agencies
