Militant groups control 60 percent of Fallujah: witnesses

[Barrett808]

NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Militant groups in battle-torn Fallujah have controlled 60 percent of the central Iraqi city and surrounded dozens of US Marines in Jolan district,witnesses said Sunday.

"Defenders of the city are controlling 60 percent of the city and they are encircling dozens of US soldiers in Jolan neighborhood," eyewitnesses who managed to sneak out of the city told Xinhua.

Residents of Fallujah said the southern part of Fallujah, whichis still under control of the militant groups, constitutes the larger part of the city, and US troops only control the north andsmall eastern spots in the city.

"Some American troops are based in government buildings and they are pounded by fighters," they said.

"In daytime, groups of mujahedeen (Holy War fighters) engage with hit-and-run attacks with US Marines, and at the same time they gear themselves up for the night battles," they said.Fierce fighting and loud explosions resonated throughout Jolan district before the sunset.

US troops continued pounding the area as plumes and columns ofsmoke covered the sky over Jolan and the southern al-Shuhadaa district.

(more)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-11/22/content_2244288.htm

[gristy]

1. not surprising

A map in the NYT today on p. 14 showed a path of the first batalion, eighth Marines marching 2 1/2 miles into/through Falluja over the span of 7 days, yet said march covered territory just 3 or 4 blocks wide. Talk about NOT covering your flank.

[aquart]

2. But...but....we secured the city. Our news said so.

How can this be?

[uncle ray]

3. their cable was cut

the insurgents were not watching fox news. nobody told them.

[Moderator]

4. This is the same website that claimed

thirty-one US soldiers were kidnapped last week.
Lock until a more reliable source reports.