Al-Fallujah, Iraq; 11 July 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The chief at an Iraqi police station in Al-Fallujah says U.S. forces left the police station in the center of the restive western Iraqi city today. Colonel Jalal Sabri said he had requested that U.S. forces using the station leave because the presence of the Americans was putting the lives of Iraqi police at risk. He said the police station had become a target for pro-Saddam Hussein fighters. Sabri said the U.S. forces left this morning.
A U.S. military press officer in Al-Fallujah, Specialist Scott Molina, said the U.S. was not pulling out of the city but was trying to give more control to Iraqi police.
Police in Al-Fallujah protested against the U.S. presence in the city yesterday, saying it was provoking violence.
A U.S. military press officer in Al-Fallujah, Specialist Scott Molina, said the U.S. was not pulling out of the city but was trying to give more control to Iraqi police.
Police in Al-Fallujah protested against the U.S. presence in the city yesterday, saying it was provoking violence.