US forces bombard Falluja
US warplanes and tanks have bombarded Falluja as US troops exchanged gunfire with fighters on the city’s eastern outskirts.
An Iraqi was killed and 13 wounded in overnight fighting on Saturday as US forces conducted their latest raids on the city.
The attacks struck the city’s eastern al-Askari neighbourhood as well as the industrial area at the eastern entrance of Falluja, in addition to the Niaamiya district.
At least four homes were destroyed and people were seen being rushed to hospital.
“The attack set a textile factory in the industrial quarter on fire while plumes of smoke were seen rising from some of the targeted areas,” sources told Aljazeera.
Sporadic fire
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Johnson, a marine spokesman, said US troops based on the edge of Falluja had been attacked.
“One of our positions near Falluja has been taking sporadic fire,” he said. “Marines countered with tanks and artillery.”
Witnesses said the air raids began at 7pm (1600 GMT) and clashes between the two sides continued for several hours.
US forces have repeatedly carried out air strikes in Falluja, west of Baghdad, ever since marines ended a three-week siege of the city in April.