IRAQ: FIERCE CLASHES BETWEEN UNITED STATES SOLDIERS AND IRAQI INSURGENTS ERUPT NEAR FALLUJA

Record ID: 338063

  • Title: IRAQ: FIERCE CLASHES BETWEEN UNITED STATES SOLDIERS AND IRAQI INSURGENTS ERUPT NEAR FALLUJA
  • Date: 1st August 2004
  • Summary: (W6) FALLUJA, IRAQ (JULY 31, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. SLV IRAQI INSURGENTS FIRING MORTARS; INSURGENT RUNNING DOWN STREET CARRYING WEAPON (AUDIO OF HEAVY FIRE); SLV CAR SPEEDS DOWN STREET 0.27 2. SLV INSURGENT AIMING ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHER (RPG); SLV TWO LARGE TRUCKS CARRYING TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR U.S. TROOPS ON FIRE ON ROAD; SLV TWO TRUC
  • Embargoed: 16th August 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: FALLUJA, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVAF29O7MF8948F6IXKPE7MNHW7L
  • Story Text: Fierce clashes between U.S. soldiers and Iraqi
    insurgents erupt near Falluja.

    U.S. troops battled with guerrillas in the western
    Iraqi town of Falluja on Saturday (July 31, 2004).

    Witnesses said that insurgents fired several mortar
    shells at the U.S. troops. Terrified civilians ran quickly
    across streets as the sound of gunfire echoed around them.

    Hospital sources said that three Iraqis were killed and
    ten wounded in the clashes which erupted in the eastern
    edge of the city.

    Insurgents also set ablaze two trucks carrying portable
    housing for U.S. troops. Black smoke rose from the fiercely
    burning trucks.

    Several times over the past few months U.S. forces have
    targeted buildings in the city that they say were being
    used by militants linked to al-Qaeda ally Abu Musab
    al-Zarqawi.

    After fierce clashes in Falluja in April which killed
    hundreds of Iraqis, U.S. forces withdrew from the city and
    handed over security to an Iraqi force. Critics say the
    city has become a safe-haven for insurgents, guerrillas and
    kidnappers.


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