Humanity Bombarded in Felluce

Tens of thousands of Iraqis are struggling with shortages in food and water supplies and can find neither burial places for their loved ones or hospital beds for their wounded. In the city of 300,000 people, only 60 civilians are said to have remained. Even though the US army tries to prevent civilian casualties when they engage in hot battles with insurgents, many have been killed and wounded in Fallujah. US fighter jets bombarded more than 40 mosques on the premise that resisters could be sheltered there.

A nine-year-old boy who died in the clashes had to be buried in the yard of his home because no burial site could be found. His father, Mohammed Abbud, said no medical care was provided to his child and the boy died from excessive blood loss. In a refugee camp formed in the western part of the city, a pregnant woman died along with her unborn child because there was no doctor. There are recurring reports that dozens of corpses are on the streets waiting for burial.

The coalition government was shocked by the kidnap of 20 Iraqi soldiers by insurgents in retaliation of the operation. In a videocassette sent to Al-Jazeera and Reuters news agency, resisters emphasized that the Iraqi soldiers were kidnapped because they were helping occupation forces. The authenticity of the tape has yet to be determined.

Al Ansar Al Jihad organization meanwhile kidnapped two relatives of the Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi on Tuesday (November 9). The organization announced that if the operation is not halted within two days and the captives are not released, the hostages will be killed. The hostages are said to be Allawi’s cousin and daughter-in-law.

The US army has the authority to arrest any armed man in the city. A limited number of international press members, including Cihan news agency, have been allowed into Fallujah headquarters. Since the beginning of the operation, eleven American soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers have been killed. US Major Francis Piccoli says American forces have taken control of over more than 70 percent of the city.

Some of the houses where hostages were kept and killed have been discovered during the operation. US Tank Unit Commander Major Joe Cash said they are facing planned resistance by the insurgents.

The International Red Cross reports that the Iraqis who fled Fallujah are living under difficult conditions in Habbaniyah, Amiriyah, and Saklaviyah.