U.S. forces launched new airstrikes on the Iraqi rebel-held town of Falluja today, killing five people, witnesses said.
According to hospital officials and witnesses, all the dead were civilians.
Witnesses said the U.S. warplanes fired missiles at the main road leading out of north Fallujah.
The U.S. army has stepped up its violence in the rebel stronghold city, by about 25 percent since the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslims holy month that began last Friday, with deadly air strikes that claimed the lives of several civilians, including women and children.
AlJazeera 24.Oct.04
A U.S. Marine warplane bombed suspected militants trying to rebuild a command post in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah on Sunday, and witnesses said six people were killed.
The F-18 Hornet struck the post that was gutted in an earlier bombing run, causing "significant" explosions in a northern district of Fallujah, said Lt. Lyle Gilbert, a Marine spokesman.
"Every time we see them attempting to rebuild, we'll destroy it. It's simple," Gilbert said.
Witnesses said six people died in the airstrike, and at least one corpse was taken to the Fallujah General Hospital. Gilbert had no information on casualties.
ABCNews(US)/AP 24.Oct.04
