Newsday (New York) November 9, 2004
Fallujah in the crosshair
SOURCES: STAFF REPORTER JIM RUPERT; AKE SECURITY; WIRE SERVICE ACCOUNTS; U.S. MILITARY; GLOBALSECURITY.ORG; DIGITAL GLOBE.
The offensive into Fallujah can be expected to entail days of urban warfare in the densely built city, where insurgents have had months to wire explosives, stockpile arms and dig in.
WHO'S THERE: Fallujah's prewar population was 300,000, but many residents have left - reports suggest at least 50 percent and as much as 80 per cent of the civilian population. The city has been described by recent visitors as a "ghost town." It is not known whether some insurgents may have fled as well.
THE INSURGENTS: U.S. commanders estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 may stay to fight. Insurgents are believed to have been fortifying areas of the city for some time. Trenches have been dug and mines are reported to have been laid under roads.
WHO'S IN CHARGE: Different areas of the city are believed to be under the rule of emirs with their own respective guards. Primary routes are guarded by insurgents.
THE MOSQUES: Fallujah, known as "the city of mosques," has more than 200 of them in and around the city. Security analysts believe that the structures are being used to hide and store weaponry and explosives and also personnel, much like the situation earlier this year in Najaf. Iraqi forces are expected to be employed to deal with the mosques, although just how remains unclear. Mosques will be of particular relevance because the assault began before the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The last ten days of Ramadan have commenced and will culminate in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the Night of Qadr. The heightened religiosity associated with Ramadan has witnessed an increase in violence.
PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT: U.S. air strikes have been used in recent months to soften targets - including buildings used as safe houses, those believed to have been housing the command structure and ammunition.
SOURCES: STAFF REPORTER JIM RUPERT; AKE SECURITY; WIRE SERVICE ACCOUNTS; U.S. MILITARY; GLOBALSECURITY.ORG; DIGITAL GLOBE.
1. A hospital and two bridges seized early yesterday. (Bridge from which American corpses were hanged in March*)
2. After nightfall yesterday, U.S. troops advanced slowly on the Jolan neighborhood, a warren of alleyways where Sunni militant fighters have dug in. Artillery, tanks, and planes pounded the district's northern edge, softening the defenses and attempting to set off any bombs and boobytraps before troops moved in. (Al-Ma'adhidy mosque)
3. Iraqi troops took over train station after the Americans fired on it to drive off fighters.
4. Also after nightfall, another force of 4,000 troops pushed into the northeastern Askari district, the first large-scale assault into the insurgent-held area, the military said.
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