U.S. Military Launches New Air Strikes In Al-Fallujah

A deserted street in the rebel stronghold of Al-Fallujah (file photo) 8 September 2004 -- U.S. warplanes launched another round of air strikes in Al-Fallujah, a stronghold of Sunni Muslim insurgents north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
Witnesses said there were large explosions in the city early today. The U.S. military has said that as many as 100 Iraqi insurgents were killed in fighting and air strikes yesterday.

The death toll could not be independently confirmed. The operations were launched after seven Marines and three Iraqi national guards were killed in a car bombing near Al-Fallujah on 6 September.

Elsewhere, at least 35 Iraqis were reported killed and more than 200 others injured in fighting between U.S. forces and militants in the Sadr City Shi'ite Muslim area of Baghdad.

For the latest news on Iraq, see RFE/RL's webpage on "The New Iraq".

(Reuters/AP/AFP)