NEWS AND VIEWS

BBC NEWS | Middle East |US keeps heat on Falluja rebels:

"US and Iraqi military commanders say coalition forces have moved into three-quarters of the city after a 48-hour operation to oust insurgents.

Gen John Sattler admitted they did not yet have full control of the area, but Iraqi troops were sweeping up as they moved from building to building.

Insurgents are reportedly now squeezed into a small strip along the highway."

Jihad Unspun (?): Mujahideen Control Majority Of Fallujah; Americans Expelled From Three Districts

"In news just in, the tactical decision taken by the Mujahideen to open up two roads leading to the city centre has turned out to be very effective.

According to sources close to the Mujahideen, as a result of heavy shelling on civilian neighborhoods all around the perimeters of the city, a decision was made to move the battle into the center of town by opening two main roads that lead into Fallujah central.

The first road opened was “Nisan 7", which is 17 -20 meters wide and stretches from the rail network north of Fallujah, passes by the Al-Mualimeen zone, on to Nisan 7 to Al-Forqan Mosque and ends in the Al-Shuhada neighborhood. The second road opened was “Tharthar Street”, which is 15 -18 meters wide extends from railway station, from where the Americans are handling forward control, passes through the Al-Ghuaifi neighborhood and ends at Officers neighborhood. After opening the two roads, Mujahideen made a tactical withdrawal from the city’s perimeters to permit the Americans to enter the two roads. The plan was successful; the Americans are now on the two roads just where the Mujahideen wanted them to be.

The Mujahideen are currently controlling 70% of the city, not the Americans, as mainstream news is reporting. "

Are we back to Al-Sahhaf's days? But Who's playing "Al-Sahhaf" this time?



Nov 11, 2004: Update from BBC:
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Falluja troops under heavy fire:

"US marines in Falluja have come under sustained attack from several different directions in the headquarters they have set up in the Iraqi city."

and
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Eyewitness: Defiance amid carnage:

"Wherever I went, I found broken buildings and bodies - local people and fighters killed on the streets."
...
"Some of the dead are beginning to rot in the streets.

But the living do not exactly smell great either - I have not had a bath for a week. Nor have I shaved.

There is no real rest here, day or night."
...
"I think it is misleading to say the US controls 70% of the city because the fighters are constantly on the move."

p.s. As the news keep being updated, the links may expire. If links expire, go to:
BBC News homepage
Jihad Unspun (I have no info about the reliability of this site).