[kcvl]

Marines move further into Fallujah


(Fallujah, Iraq-AP) -- U-S military commanders say Marines have moved deep into the violent city of Fallujah (fuh-LOO'-juh).

Marines are engaged in a battle against insurgents in the city -- where four civilian U-S contractors were killed last week.

Commanders say several U-S helicopters have been hit by ground fire, but none has been brought down. They also report a number of injuries among U-S Marines.

Five other Marines died near Fallujah yesterday and today as U-S forces moved into the city.

Marines say they've killed about 20 insurgents -- and they've detained at least a dozen others, who are being interrogated.

Fierce urban combat is reported on the streets of Fallujah. Marines are holding positions in houses along the northern edge of the town.

A-P correspondent Lourdes Navarro, with a company of Marines on the edge of Fallujah, says they're moving a few city blocks at a time.

[r9etb]

fuh-LOO'-juh)

I like that emphasis on LOO -- it conveys the proper sense of the place being a sh*thole.