[BurbankKarl]

Several killed in Fallujah scuffles
From correspondents in Fallujah
April 5, 2004

SEVERAL people were killed and others wounded today when US troops fought insurgents in the restive Sunni Muslim town of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, a witness said.

There was no official confirmation of the report but US forces sealed all the roads leading to Fallujah, barricading residents inside the flashpoint town

"US forces bombed the Goland residential neighbourhood after coming under mortar attack from unknown assailants," Borhan Abed, a resident of the northern Fallujah neighbourhood, said.

Several people were killed, others wounded and some houses hit, said Abed, adding that he went on to the roof of his house when the fighting started and saw US aircraft overhead.

According to Abed the fighting erupted at 4.00 am (10am AEST) and lasted 90 minutes.

[BurbankKarl]

Baghdad-Jordan routes closed

From correspondents in Baghdad

April 5, 2004

THE US-led coalition has shut down the highways from Baghdad to Jordan because of ongoing military activities in the area home to the rebel towns of Fallujah and Ramadi, the coalition said today.


"The highways (1 and 10) from Baghdad to Jordan will be closed indefinitely due to military activities," the US consulate said in a statement.
Residents in Fallujah said several people were killed or wounded early today when US troops fought insurgents in the town, 50km west of Baghdad.

US forces sealed all the roads leading to Fallujah, barricading residents inside the restive Sunni Muslim town.

Four US civilian contractors were ambushed last week by gunmen in the rebel town and later the bodies of two of them were hacked and mutilated.

The US military has vowed a painful retaliation.

AFP

[McGavin999]

The Marines are telling the media NOTHING.