Military

By U.S. Army Capt. Steve Alvarez

FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 9, 2004 — Artillery continued to pound insurgent positions this morning as reports trickled in that multinational forces had entered the city and had begun making their way through the Jolan district, an area in the northwest portion of the city.

At Camp Fallujah, Maj. Gen. Abdul Qader Mohammed Jassim checked the status of his forces at about 4 a.m., Nov. 9, while his soldiers engaged the insurgents in the city-the night sky flashing sporadically from artillery rounds and tracers from small arms fire.

“Before I came to Fallujah, I asked a cleric if I should come here and he told me, ‘Yes, you must go. It is God’s will. God be with you,” Qader said.

At a press conference later in the day, Qader and Thair Al Nakib from Prime Minister Ayad Allawi’s office issued statements.

“First let me say that our hearts and prayers are with the soldiers of Iraq and our multinational friends, who at this hour are bravely pushing their way through the streets of Fallujah, bringing law and order to the people of Fallujah,” Qader said.

“A new day has dawned on this city and for this nation,” Qader said.

Military officials report that civilians were provided food and blankets last night by the Iraqi and multinational forces. Forces have pushed their way through a third of the city.

Qader said that in the wake of combat operations, a robust civil affairs operation will follow, ensuring that critical infrastructure; things like electricity, water, sanitation services and sewage systems are running.