Join News Letter

Iraq War

Peak Oil

Climate Change

US Imperialism

Palestine

Communalism

Gender/Feminism

Dalit/Adivasi

Globalisation

Humanrights

Economy

India-pak

Kashmir

Environment

Gujarat Pogrom

WSF

Arts/Culture

India Elections

Archives

Links

Submit Articles

Contact Us

Fill out your
e-mail address
to receive our newsletter!
 

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

 

US Troops Surround Falluja

By Aljazeera

08 November, 3004
Aljazeera

Fierce fighting has erupted east and south of Falluja, as a full-scale attack on the city seems imminent.

Large numbers of US troops have taken up positions on the outskirts of the city as they prepare for an attack on Falluja.

The US army closed all roads leading to the besieged city after Iraq's interim government declared a state of emergency throughout the country.

The northern Kurdish inhabited areas are exempt, the interim government said.

As night fell, artillery shells pounded a town east of Falluja, with tanks and helicopters offering support, an AFP photographer embedded with the American military said.

Some 20,000 US and Iraqi soldiers and marines are camped around the city awaiting orders to launch an assault.

Peace talks between the interim government and Falluja have fallen through several times, most recently last month when interim leader Iyad Allawi threatened another attack if residents did not surrender Jordanian fugitive Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and other suspected al-Qaida linked fighters.

But residents of Falluja insist that neither al-Zarqawi nor members of al-Qaida are in the city.

They also say that constant aerial bombing and artillery barrages are killing many civilians in the city.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned the US, Britain and Iraq that any assault could undermine planned elections in January.

Nevertheless, US commanders are preparing their troops for what could prove to be a costly affair.

"You will be making history ... 40 years from now, 100 years from now, they (people) will be talking about the battle of Falluja," said Major General Richard Natonski.

"If someone raises their hands in surrender and starts charging you, what are you going to do? Shoot him. Why? Because of the threat of suicide bombers," said Colonel Michael Shupp.

On Saturday another military commander referred to the fighters in Falluja, as 'Satan'.

"But the enemy has got a face. He's called Satan. He lives in Falluja. And we're going to destroy him," said Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Brandl.


 

 

Google
WWW www.countercurrents.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Search Our Archive



Our Site

Web